Kohinoor Akter Kakoli was preparing to mark what should have been a joyful occasion—the 13th wedding anniversary she shared with her husband, Shahed Ahmed. Instead, on October 23, 2026, she faced a tragic moment at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, where she awaited the arrival of her husband’s body following a deadly attack earlier that day in Saudi Arabia.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time at an airport in Saudi Arabia, where Shahed Ahmed was killed in an assault that also injured several others. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, though details remain limited at this time. The motives behind the violence have not been officially confirmed.

Kakoli, who was to celebrate their years together, was instead confronted with the sorrow of losing her partner under violent circumstances far from home. The couple had married on October 23, 2013, and what began as a day of anniversaries had transformed into a grim remembrance.

Officials in Bangladesh facilitated the transfer of Shahed Ahmed’s remains back to Dhaka, enabling family and friends to mourn his passing. Representatives from the Bangladeshi government expressed condolences and have pledged to assist with ongoing inquiries into the incident.

The attack in Saudi Arabia has raised concerns over security for foreign nationals working and traveling in the region. Saudi authorities have increased protective measures at transport hubs following the event, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

As the investigation continues, Kakoli’s personal loss serves as a reminder of the human toll behind broader security challenges affecting expatriate communities. The solemn anniversary of October 23 this year marks not a celebration, but a final farewell to Shahed Ahmed.