Assassination in Bangladesh Sparks Regional Tensions and Propaganda War

In South Asia, a tragedy has quickly escalated into a dangerous war of narratives. The killing of Bangladeshi youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi has become the latest flashpoint in the region’s complex geopolitical landscape, with Pakistan-based media and political figures leveling serious accusations against India.

On December 22, 2025, Pakistan’s Times of Islamabad published an article claiming India’s intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was definitively linked to Hadi’s assassination. The publication offered this conclusion despite acknowledging that Bangladeshi authorities have not produced “concrete evidence yet confirming foreign agency involvement.”

The article relied primarily on circumstantial connections—suspects allegedly fleeing “towards India,” protests in Dhaka, and Hadi’s previous criticism of Indian influence—rather than verified evidence or official findings from a credible investigation.

This media narrative was amplified by Kamran Sayeed Usmani, a prominent figure in Pakistan’s ruling PML-N party, who released a video message that went beyond accusations to open threats. Usmani invoked religious rhetoric, threatening missile retaliation against India and framing the situation as a conflict between Muslim resistance and what he termed a “Brahmin empire.”

Security analysts point out that India has consistently prioritized stability in Bangladesh, making a high-profile assassination that triggers riots and diplomatic crises counterproductive to its strategic interests. RAW, generally characterized by strategic caution rather than provocative operations, would have little to gain and much to lose from such an action.

“What we’re seeing is the weaponization of tragedy for political purposes,” said Dr. Faisal Rahman, a South Asian security expert at Dhaka University. “The rush to blame India before any investigation is complete serves certain regional narratives but does little to establish truth or justice.”

The Bangladesh interim government has framed the assassination primarily as an attempt to derail upcoming elections rather than as part of an international conspiracy. Authorities are investigating a suspicious financial trail involving Tk127 crore (approximately $13 million) mentioned in reports, which could provide concrete leads about who financed the operation.

Meanwhile, India has responded with measured diplomacy. Officials rejected the allegations as baseless and summoned Bangladesh’s envoy to address concerns about attacks on Indian missions in Bangladesh following the assassination. India has also offered cooperation in apprehending suspects, emphasizing diplomatic engagement over confrontational rhetoric.

The situation underscores Bangladesh’s challenging position as it navigates relationships with both larger neighbors. Since gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh has developed complex ties with both nations, making it particularly vulnerable to becoming a theater for their rivalries.

Human rights organizations and United Nations officials have called for an impartial investigation focused on evidence rather than geopolitical accusations. “The victim’s family deserves justice based on facts, not political opportunism,” said UN Special Rapporteur Miriam Khatun in a statement last week.

Economic implications also loom large. Bangladesh’s economy, heavily dependent on regional trade and stability, has already shown signs of strain with the stock market dropping 3.2% following the violent protests mentioned in the Pakistani media reports. Foreign investors are watching closely as the country approaches elections.

The crisis highlights the persistent challenge of disinformation in South Asian geopolitics. Social media platforms have reported a 400% increase in unverified claims about the assassination, many originating from accounts with suspicious patterns of activity.

For Bangladesh, the immediate challenge remains maintaining domestic stability while resisting external attempts to influence its internal affairs. The interim government has increased security around diplomatic missions and key infrastructure while urging citizens to remain calm and await the findings of the official investigation.

As tensions simmer, regional observers warn that converting a criminal investigation into proxy politics serves no one’s interests—least of all the Bangladeshi people seeking answers about who truly bears responsibility for Hadi’s death. The memory of a murdered youth leader deserves better than becoming ammunition in a propaganda war where truth is subordinated to political convenience.