Brazen daylight shooting of political figure Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka exposed critical security flaws at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Bangladesh's border control systems.

Police swiftly identified assailants Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh following the attack. However, immediate concerns emerged about whether suspects could flee the country through vulnerable exit points.

HSIA theoretically maintains safeguards including CCTV surveillance, passport databases and Advance Passenger Information System to flag suspects. Recent reports reveal system weaknesses including luggage thefts, stolen firearms from secured areas and alleged staff complicity undermining security measures.

Authorities claim immigration checks show no evidence suspects fled abroad. Officials noted Faisal last returned from Thailand in July 2025. Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 launched with raids targeting illegal border crossings in areas like Sherpur.

Focus on land borders highlights telling reality that experienced criminals view Bangladesh's vast, porous land borders with India as easier escape routes than controlled airport environment. Bureaucratic delays and under-resourced law enforcement often create crucial windows for escape before lookout notices are issued.

Attack targeted Hadi, a leader of 2024 uprising who became election candidate, as Bangladesh prepares for pivotal polls. Incident raised alarms about targeted killings and ability of defeated forces to destabilize election process through violence.

Airport vulnerabilities symbolize system that can be outmaneuvered through surveillance gaps and corrupted channels. If perpetrators of politically charged murders can exploit weaknesses to board flights, it reveals profound failure of deterrence.

Case serves as stress test for interim government's ability to secure exit points, recover illegal arms and protect democratic process. Ease of escape, whether by air or land, directly correlates to level of impunity criminals and assassins expect. Until gaps are decisively sealed, questions about committing grave crimes and disappearing remain unanswered.