Police investigators say Ahmed Shahriar Reza Dwip, a close friend of former Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant KM Tahsif Souri, has claimed during interrogation that the two were chased by several people linked to the police near Rajabari Ghat on the Turag River on the night of 27 October, after which Tahsif jumped into the river and Dwip fled.
According to officers of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Dwip told them: “We were talking there [at the scene]. At that time some people chased us. Tahsif jumped into the river. And I fled.” Dwip further claimed the chasers were police personnel. PBI said it is verifying this statement along with other information obtained during questioning.
The claim emerged after PBI took Dwip into custody for interrogation in connection with the mysterious death of the 28-year-old former officer. Tahsif’s body was recovered floating in the Turag River near Rajabari Ghat in Dhaka’s Uttarkhan area on Wednesday afternoon following a call to the national emergency number 999. Tongi River Police recovered the body, which was found near a speedboat. He was wearing a black full-sleeved shirt and white trousers. A wristwatch and an iPhone found on him helped identify the body. It was later sent to the morgue at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
An inquest report prepared by Sub-Inspector Mostafizur Rahman of the Tongi River Police Outpost noted no external injury marks on the body. However, blood was observed coming from his nose. His eyes and mouth were closed, both arms were bent toward his head with fists clenched, and his abdomen appeared swollen. He was described as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall with black hair and a short black beard and moustache. His chest, back, legs and other areas appeared externally normal.
PBI also recovered a motorcycle without a number plate about 50 yards from the body-recovery site, in the Tongi Mazar Basti area. Investigators are checking whether it belonged to Tahsif. Officers noted that the Rajabari Ghat area is known as a drug spot and suggested Tahsif may have drowned after being chased by drug dealers.
Final hours together
Speaking to media before his detention, Dwip said he and Tahsif had known each other for about six years and that Tahsif was like an elder brother to him. On the evening of 27 October, Tahsif’s motorcycle would not start. After seeking advice, Dwip went to Tahsif’s residence in Uttara’s Sector 18 (Rajuk Apartment project). The two spent 10–20 minutes getting it running, then took it to a workshop for repairs and an oil change.
After the work was finished, Tahsif invited Dwip to dinner. They ate together at the “Kukurukku” restaurant in Uttara’s Ruap Shopping Complex. They later left on separate motorcycles. Around midnight in the House Building area, Dwip made a U-turn while Tahsif continued in another direction. Dwip said Tahsif had not clearly told him where he was going. After reaching home, Dwip called to confirm Tahsif had arrived safely but found the phone switched off. He initially assumed the battery had drained — Tahsif had been charging it with a power bank at the restaurant. The phone remained off when Dwip called again the next morning. Dwip said he noticed nothing unusual in Tahsif’s behaviour that evening and currently has no basis to suspect anyone.
CCTV footage from the ground floor of the residence separately showed Dwip, wearing a green panjabi, talking and shaking hands with Tahsif beside a motorcycle with its headlight on before the two left the area.
Tahsif’s father, KM Enayetul Karim, said his son spent 27 October shopping for family members and left in the evening after receiving a call from the junior named Dwip. Around 1:35 am the family received a message from him saying “Ammu, ami aschi” (“Mom, I’m coming”). There was no further contact. The family learned of his death around 5:15 am the next day through police information. The father said Tahsif had never previously visited the Rajabari Ghat area and ruled out suicide, noting his son had been in a good mood after shopping. He has urged the government to investigate thoroughly so those responsible can be identified.
Viral video and earlier controversy
Tahsif had attracted significant public attention over a viral video of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure by aircraft from Kurmitola Airport on 5 August 2024, amid the mass uprising that led to her ouster. Reports and social media discussions linked him to recording or spreading the footage. Dwip said he had learned of the video only through the media and that the two had never discussed it.
In a long interview published on the YouTube channel “Speak with Rashid” on 21 July, Tahsif addressed media reports. He noted that one report stated he had spread the video but did not claim he recorded it; it said Rifat Ashrafi recorded it and he circulated it. He questioned the evidence for these claims and said it was possible this was why he was no longer in the Air Force.
Tahsif’s father has said he was dismissed from the Bangladesh Air Force on disciplinary grounds. ISPR had earlier stated that he and Flight Lieutenant Rifat Ashrafi were administratively retired under prevailing Air Force rules and regulations, and that the retirement was not linked to certain public allegations. After leaving the force, Tahsif worked at the Bangladesh Cricket Board and various private organisations. His cousin, Moshfeka Jahan, posted on Facebook early on Thursday alleging that he had been murdered after facing harassment and mental pressure over the video (which she said he shared but did not record himself).
Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has publicly described the death as mysterious, linked it to earlier allegations against Souri, and called for accountability and a fair probe.
PBI continues to assist naval police and other agencies in the investigation. The autopsy has been conducted, the body was handed over to the family, and Tahsif was buried after funeral prayers. Authorities say they are verifying all statements and evidence as the probe continues.