Authorities recovered a motorcycle from Mazar Basti in Tongi on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of former airman KM Tahsif Souri. The location of the vehicle is approximately three kilometers from where Tahsif’s body was discovered in the Turag River. Investigators have not yet confirmed if the motorcycle belongs to Tahsif or matches the one he was seen riding when he left his home on Tuesday evening, as captured on CCTV footage.
The motorcycle was recovered following information provided by Ahmed Shahriar Reza Dip, a friend of Tahsif’s described by the family as both a close friend and like a younger brother. Dip and Tahsif reportedly visited the Mazar Basti area on the night of Tahsif’s disappearance. A member of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Dip told investigators he and Tahsif were pursued by unknown individuals in the vicinity. According to Dip, Tahsif escaped by jumping into the river while he managed to flee.
Additional Deputy Inspector General Enayet Rahman Manna of PBI’s Dhaka Metro North division said investigators are carefully verifying the information provided by Dip. “We don’t believe everything he says outright,” Manna told reporters after inspecting the area. “Based on his information, we recovered a black motorcycle, but we have not yet confirmed whether it is connected to Tahsif.”
Regarding Dip’s claim that they were chased by people in uniform, PBI officials noted that Dip had described encountering two individuals who appeared to be police officers. However, subsequent inquiries suggest the men may have been security guards from a nearby garment factory. “We cannot confirm who they actually saw without verification,” said the PBI official.
According to Dip, he and Tahsif separated between 1:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, but Dip was unable to specify the direction in which Tahsif went. This account was met with skepticism by Tahsif’s father, AKM Enayetul Karim, who called the claim that Tahsif fled upon seeing police personnel “ridiculous” and inconsistent with his son’s background as a defense officer.
Tahsif, a former flight lieutenant in the Bangladesh Air Force, left his Uttara home on Tuesday evening and did not return. His body was recovered from the Turag River near Rajabari Ghat in Uttarkhan on Wednesday afternoon. Tahsif had recently drawn attention due to allegations that he circulated a video clip purportedly showing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina departing the country from Kurmitola Airport on August 5, 2024.
Dip was taken into custody early Thursday morning from his home in Mohammadpur for questioning. Local resident Jubaida Begum, who operates a tea stall near Mazar Basti, said she noticed an unregistered motorcycle parked in the area from Wednesday morning. Police initially took the motorcycle away but later returned it.
Additional DIG Enayet and Additional Superintendent of Police Mostafa Kamal of the River Police visited Mazar Basti with Dip on Thursday afternoon as part of their ongoing inquiries. Enayet said investigators are working to understand why Tahsif and Dip visited the area around 2:00 a.m. Wednesday and that technological evidence is being used to corroborate Dip's timeline.
As of Thursday evening, no formal case had been filed regarding Tahsif’s death. Additional Inspector General of River Police Md Rezaul Karim said police have maintained contact with Tahsif’s family, who are reportedly considering whether to file a complaint. Police indicated they would proceed to file a case if the family does not do so by Friday.