Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stated that it is still unclear whether those involved in the shooting of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi crossed into India through the Mymensingh border.
At a press briefing in Mymensingh on Monday, BGB Sector Commander Colonel Sarkar Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman stated that authorities were still investigating whether the suspects crossed the border or remained in hiding within Bangladesh.
"It is unclear whether the attackers fled to India via the Mymensingh border. "Investigations are ongoing," he stated.
The BGB, in collaboration with police, has conducted joint operations in several border areas in an attempt to apprehend Philip Snal, who is suspected of aiding the attackers' escape. However, he has yet to be detained.
The commander stated that three other people were arrested during the operation. They include Philip Snal's wife, Delta Chiran, his father-in-law, Yerson Rangdi; and two alleged human traffickers from Haluaghat: Louis Lengminja and Sibiron Dio.
Another suspected accomplice was apprehended on Monday morning and is now being interrogated. Authorities stated that the individual will be turned over to police after being questioned.
Colonel Mostafizur Rahman stated that law enforcement agencies are investigating two possibilities: the attackers may have crossed the border or may still be sheltered within the country.
"If the attackers escaped, we want to know who helped them. If they did not, we want to know where they are hiding and who is keeping them safe," he said.
Security has been tightened along the border, with BGB personnel showing photographs of suspected shooter Faisal Karim Masud to border village residents and encouraging them to report any suspicious activity.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) previously released a photograph of the suspect and asked the public for information. The government has also announced a Tk 50 lakh reward for information that leads to the attacker's arrest.
Sharif Osman Hadi was shot on Friday, around 2:15pm, while riding in a rickshaw near a water tank in Bijoynagar, central Dhaka. According to police, two men on a motorbike approached the rickshaw, with one opening fire at close range before fleeing the scene.
Mr Hadi was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and then transferred to Evercare Hospital.
On Monday afternoon, he was flown to Singapore for advanced medical treatment aboard an Aspro Aviation air ambulance that took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 1:55 pm.
