Independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch, was critically injured in a shooting on Purana Paltan Culvert Road on Friday afternoon while travelling by rickshaw after Jumma prayers.

Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants around 2:30 pm while campaigning in the Bijoynagar area.

“Two motorcycles approached while he was travelling, and one of the riders opened fire before fleeing the scene,” he said, adding that Hadi was immediately taken to DMCH in critical condition.

Doctors at the emergency department provided initial treatment and administered CPR, describing his condition as “very alarming,” said Dr Mostaq Ahmed, residential surgeon at the emergency unit.

“Hadi has a bullet lodged in his head, and another bullet struck near his ear,” he added.

Before being shifted to the operation theatre, a CT scan was conducted.

Hospital sources reported that surgeons began operating on him around 4:30 pm to remove a bullet from his jaw area and treat other injuries. His blood pressure later showed slight improvement, they said.

Earlier, Hadi’s verified Facebook page posted an appeal for B-negative blood after doctors recommended an urgent transfusion.

Misbah, who brought him to the hospital, said Hadi had just finished Jumma prayers and was passing through the Motijheel-Bijoynagar culvert road area by rickshaw when the attackers fired at him, striking him below the left ear.

Meanwhile, crowds gathered at the DMCH emergency area following news of the shooting, prompting authorities to deploy army personnel to maintain order.

Army members were seen standing guard at the emergency entrance as hundreds of people rushed to the spot.

Police have yet to identify or arrest the shooter.