Tahsif, a Hero of the Nation, Found Dead in a River: Conspiracy-Driven Killing or Tragic Accident?

In the eyes of many Bangladeshis, former Air Force Flight Lieutenant KM Tahsif Sauri is a true hero. He shocked the world by spreading a video of Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India after her fall in 2024. Many saw him as a great patriot and soldier. But the patriot had to give his life. Seven years ago in 2019, Abrar Fahad lost his life in a similar way at Sher e Bangla Hall of BUET, beaten brutally by Chhatra League members.

Abrar was a bright electrical and electronic engineering student at BUET. He posted on social media demanding a fair share of water from India. Angry Chhatra League members beat him all night and killed him. His killers have been identified and sit in prison with death sentences. But Tahsif was killed in the dark of night. Who killed him? Is it a political conspiracy or a tragedy? Is India behind it?

Home Minister Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed did not want to comment early on Tahsif’s death. Tahsif’s father, Mr. Enayetul Karim, said his son could not have died by suicide. He said Tahsif went shopping with his mother on the day. Tahsif left home on Tuesday night a few days ago after a friend called him. A younger friend named Dip came to the building and called him. Tahsif went down and said he would talk to him and return. He never came back.

The Tongi river police outpost recovered his floating body from near Rajabari Ghat on the Turag River on Wednesday afternoon. His family alleges he was killed with planning. Intelligence officials also say so. The police inquest report notes blood from the nose and a swollen belly.

Mr. Karim says that if the mystery is not solved soon and those involved are not arrested, it will prove the failure of the intelligence agencies. He compared this to the Sagar Runi murder case. Tahsif left his job after the July August uprising. It is said he spread the video of Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India on a plane. Much remains unknown, which has created a mystery. The home minister does not want to say whether the video is linked to his death. But intelligence officials believe he was killed and thrown into the river.

Tahsif lived in the “Karabi” building of the RAJUK apartment project in Sector 18, Uttara. His father said Dip came to the building on Tuesday evening and called him. Tahsif left, saying he would return after talking. His mother tried to call him many times but could not reach him. At about 1:35 am, Tahsif sent his mother a message saying he was coming home. Mr. Karim said his son seemed busy when his mother read it.

Mr. Karim does not think his son died by suicide. He suspects he was killed and thrown into the river. He could not say who did it or why. He told reporters the day before yesterday at 2:30 pm in front of the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital morgue. He said Tahsif was polite and social, and he knew of no dispute between his son and anyone. He said Tahsif shared many things with him as a friend.

Mr. Karim said Tahsif may have felt bad about losing his job, but he does not think it was a big problem for him. He said Tahsif was full of life, and he worked hard to become a commissioned officer in the Air Force. He completed courses and was good at flying. He said Tahsif worked with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Netra News. He last worked as administration and security officer at a company called Varg. He was resting after a recent motorcycle accident.

Mr. Karim said Tahsif had shopped with his mother and bought things for him too. Then he left to talk with his friend Dip. The family never imagined such an incident could follow. On Wednesday noon, Mr. Karim went to the police station to look for his son. Police told him they had no information. At about 5:15 pm, police called him. After confirming his and his son’s identities, they told him a body had been found in the Turag.

He was surprised the body was found near Rajabari Ghat. He said his son never went to that area. He said the family does not know how this happened or who killed him.

Dhaka District River Police Superintendent Mr. Abdullah Al Mamun said the day before yesterday that there were no visible injuries on the body. The cause of death will be known after the post mortem report. Home Minister Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed spoke at an event outside Dhaka. He said he does not want to comment before the post mortem and the initial inquiry are done. He said a preliminary inquiry will happen and then he can talk.

What the inquest report says: SI Mr. Mustafizur Rahman of the Tongi river police outpost prepared the inquest report the day before yesterday. Tahsif’s maternal cousin Mr. Zahir Hasan identified the body. The report says the hair was black, the height was about 5 feet 7 inches and the face was round. His eyes and mouth were closed, and he had a short beard and moustache. His hands were bent in front of his head with open fists. His chest, belly, back and legs looked normal, but his belly was swollen and blood came from his nose. There were no visible injuries.

Leak of the Sheikh Hasina video: Tahsif was linked to spreading the video of Sheikh Hasina leaving the country in 2024. But more than three months before his death, he questioned this claim in a podcast and asked for proof. In a long interview on the YouTube channel “Speak with Rashid”, published in July, he spoke about his dismissal and his Air Force experience. He also spoke about a report in a national daily, which he called “propaganda”.

What friend Dip says: After Dip’s name came up in the disappearance, he was contacted through his Facebook ID. He said he and Tahsif own the same motorcycle model. Tahsif’s bike had broken down, and he helped start it. They went to a workshop in Uttara, where Tahsif’s engine oil and other items were changed. They then returned to the apartment and had dinner at a restaurant. After that, he went home and Tahsif went another way. He does not know where Tahsif went or why.

Dip said the motorcycle work took one to one and a half hours, and they were together for about three hours. He does not remember the exact time they met but thinks it was about 9 pm. He left for home between 11:30 pm and midnight. He said he respected Tahsif like an elder brother as Tahsif was older, and their families were close. He once went to Tahsif’s home for a meal with his family. When asked about the Hasina video, Dip said they only hear about it in the news and he cannot verify it. He said Tahsif never talked about it with him.

Burial in Sector 12, Uttara: The funeral prayer for former Flight Lieutenant Tahsif Sauri was held the day before yesterday at 4:35 pm. It took place at the central mosque of the RAJUK Uttara apartment project in Sector 18, Uttara. He was then buried at the graveyard in Sector 12, Uttara.