Bangladesh Ex-Air Force Officer Found Dead in Dhaka River: RAW Allegations, Hasina Video and Podcast Under Scrutiny
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The death of former Bangladesh Air Force officer KM Tahsif Souri has raised questions about his controversial departure from the military, allegations of links with India's intelligence agency RAW and his reported role in recording a video of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country in August 2024.
The 28-year-old's body was recovered from the Turag River in Dhaka on October 28, more than 24 hours after he went missing. His father and cousin have alleged that he was murdered, according to a report by the Dhaka Tribune. Police have not publicly disclosed details that establish the circumstances of his death.
Souri's death has brought renewed attention to a podcast he appeared in earlier this year, in which he discussed his dismissal from the Air Force, rejected allegations linking him to RAW and questioned aspects of the investigation into a 2025 fighter jet crash that killed 37 people.
Souri's disappearance and recovery of his body
Souri left his home on October 27 with a friend to get his motorcycle repaired. He did not return, and his body was found floating in the Turag River the following day.
His father, Enayetul Karim Helal, and a cousin have raised suspicions of murder. The police have yet to publicly clarify what led to his death.
The former flight lieutenant had previously spoken about concerns over his safety. His father told Jago News that Souri had occasionally expressed apprehension but had not explained what was troubling him.
The video of Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh
Souri came under public scrutiny after a video showing Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, circulated widely on social media. Hasina fled to India as her government collapsed amid a student-led uprising that left more than 500 people dead.
Reports later identified Souri and another Air Force officer, Lieutenant Rifat Ashrafi, as the individuals allegedly responsible for recording the footage.
Souri was dismissed from the Bangladesh Air Force in September 2024, shortly after the video controversy. The Air Force, however, denied that his removal was connected to the recording or circulation of the footage.
His family said they were informed that he had been dismissed over disciplinary issues. They questioned the explanation, citing his service record and nearly 200 hours of flying experience. According to his family, becoming a pilot had been his childhood ambition.
After leaving the Air Force, Souri worked with several organisations, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Netra News. He had also recently started a security guard supply business.
How the RAW allegations emerged
The controversy intensified after Amar Desh, a newspaper associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, published a report naming Souri and Ashrafi in connection with the Hasina video.
The newspaper alleged that an Air Force investigation had uncovered links between officials and India's intelligence agency, RAW. Souri's name appeared among those mentioned, and his passport was reportedly seized by the government.
Bangladesh's Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) rejected the allegations. It also denied claims that the officers' departure from service was connected to any foreign intelligence agency, saying they had been retired through due process under existing Air Force laws and regulations.
Souri's family, however, alleged that he faced harassment following the report. A colleague told the Dhaka Tribune that the accusations had subjected him to social pressure.
What Souri said in his podcast
In July 2026, Souri appeared on a podcast titled Speak With Rashid, where he discussed his dismissal and the allegations against him.
When asked whether he had lost his Air Force job because he recorded the video of Hasina leaving Bangladesh, he replied, "could be".
He dismissed the Amar Desh report about his alleged RAW connections as propaganda, saying it was intended to serve a particular narrative.
During the conversation, Souri also questioned the handling of the investigation into the July 21, 2025, fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka.
A Bangladesh Air Force Chengdu FT-7BGI training aircraft crashed on the campus, killing 37 people, including students, and injuring more than 170 others.
Souri raised questions about the investigation and the Air Force's maintenance of fighter aircraft. His father later told Jago News that his son had sometimes expressed fears for his safety after the podcast attracted attention.
Sheikh Hasina's son questions the circumstances of his death
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasina's son, also questioned the circumstances surrounding Souri's death.
In a post on X, Wazed described Souri as a decorated former Air Force officer who had been targeted by a propaganda campaign. He said the allegations published by Amar Desh had damaged Souri's career and made his life difficult.
Wazed also referred to Souri's remarks about alleged shortcomings within the Air Force, including aircraft maintenance and the investigation into the Milestone School crash.
He further alleged that Jamaat activists were continuing to promote the accusations against Souri even after his death. Wazed claimed that this could be an attempt to undermine a fair investigation and discredit the Awami League.
Souri's death has once again brought his dismissal from the Air Force, the allegations surrounding the Hasina video and his claims about the military under the spotlight. His family's demand for answers has added to the pressure for a closer examination of the circumstances leading to his death.
