Bangladesh violence turns ugly; 7-year-old daughter of BNP leader burned to death, 2 critical after mob sets fire to house

Violence erupted in Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi.

New Delhi: A 7-year-old girl was reportedly burned alive in an attack by an angry mob on the house of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Belal Hossain. According to reports from the Daily Star and Dhaka Tribune, the BNP leader’s house in Lakshmipur was set on fire on Saturday, December 20.

7-year-old Child Dies In The Fire

The incident occurred at 1 AM when protesters were outside the house and set it ablaze despite the family being inside. Belal’s 7-year-old daughter, Ayesha Akhtar, died in the fire. The Officer-in-Charge of Lakshmipur Sadar Model Police Station, Mohammad Wahid Parvez, confirmed the incident. He stated that one child was found dead and three people were rescued.

BNP’s Leader’s House Burnt

According to the report, Belal Hossain and his two other daughters (16-year-old Salma Akhtar and 14-year-old Samiya Akhtar) sustained serious burns in the fire. The girls were later transferred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors described their condition as critical. Speaking to the Daily Star, Belal’s mother confirmed the attack. She claimed that the rioters locked the house doors from the outside, poured petrol, and then set it on fire.

Violence Erupts After Osman Hadi’s Death

Violence erupted in Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the 2024 student-led mass movement that brought down the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was shot by masked assailants while leaving a mosque on December 12, 2025, and died on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore. As news of Hadi’s death spread, his supporters launched protests in several cities, including Dhaka, demanding justice, which quickly turned violent.

Protesters Set Fire To The Offices Of Leading Newspapers

Protesters set fire to the offices of leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and Daily Star, and attacked cultural institutions. They also chanted anti-India slogans, as Hadi was a staunch critic of India and Hasina. Some reports mentioned separate attacks on minorities, but the main violence was linked to protests against Hadi’s killing and political instability. The interim government has appealed for calm.