Home Minister declines comment on ex-air force officer Tahsif’s death pending autopsy

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has declined to comment on the death of former Bangladesh Air Force officer KM Tahsif Souri, 28, whose body was recovered from the Turag River, pending the completion of an autopsy and preliminary investigation.

“I do not want to make any definitive comment at this moment. A preliminary investigation is underway, and the autopsy process is being completed. After reviewing the autopsy report and learning the full details of the incident, we will take the necessary steps and inform the media,” he said.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday after attending a passing-out parade at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sarda, Charghat upazila, Rajshahi, the home minister said investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

Journalists also asked whether Tahsif’s death was linked to a video circulating on social media showing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina leaving the country. Salahuddin did not comment on any possible connection.

Tahsif’s body was recovered from the Turag River near the Dhaka-Tongi boundary on Wednesday after local residents spotted it floating in the water, according to river police and local sources.

A team from the Tongi outpost of the Dhaka region’s river police recovered the body. His identity was later established through a functioning mobile phone and documents found with him.

Firoz Uddin, inspector-in-charge of the Tongi River Police outpost, confirmed Tahsif’s identity and death on Thursday morning. He said the body had been sent to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Police are awaiting the final autopsy report to establish whether the death was accidental, a suicide or the result of other circumstances.

Tahsif’s death has left his family and former colleagues in mourning, with relatives and former colleagues calling for anyone found responsible to be brought to justice.