Body of Former Air Force Officer Tahsif Sauri Found in Turag River; Questions Surround His Death

The discovery of the body of former Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant Tahsif Sauri in the Turag River has caused a stir. His death—following his disappearance from his home in Uttara—has reignited discussions surrounding his earlier departure from the Air Force. It remains unclear whether this was a homicide or if his death resulted from other causes.
Why is Tahsif Sauri the subject of discussion?
A key reason for the attention surrounding Tahsif Sauri is a video from August 5, 2024, showing the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaving the country. At the time, a media outlet reported that two Air Force officers were allegedly involved in recording and circulating that video; Tahsif’s name was mentioned in this context.

However, in a statement issued on August 4, 2025, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) clarified that Tahsif Sauri and Flight Lieutenant Rifat Ashrafi were not retired due to any alleged links with foreign intelligence agencies. The ISPR stated that they were retired under different circumstances, in accordance with the established laws and regulations of the Air Force.

About three months before his death, Tahsif addressed these allegations in a YouTube interview, questioning what evidence the authorities possessed to support the claim that he had recorded or circulated the video. According to his family, he was discharged from the Air Force in September 2024 on disciplinary grounds. Following his departure from the service, he worked for several organizations, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and *Netra News*.
How Tahsif went missing
According to his family, Tahsif spent most of Tuesday, October 27, with his mother and even did some shopping for his family members. In the evening, he left his home in Uttara after receiving a call from a younger acquaintance.

His family states that when they tried to reach him on his mobile phone late that night, the final message—received at 1:35 AM—read: "Mom, I’m coming." From then on, his phone remained switched off.

The following day, October 28, around 4:30 PM, the Tongi River Police outpost recovered his body from the Turag River, near Rajabari Ghat in Uttarkhan. He was identified through an iPhone found in his pocket. The body was subsequently sent to the morgue at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.

What does the police say about the cause of death?
According to preliminary information from the River Police, there were no visible external signs of injury on the body. However, the inquest report notes that there was bleeding from the nose. Law enforcement agencies are awaiting the autopsy report to determine the actual cause of death.

Meanwhile, Tahsif’s father, K. M. Enayetul Karim, claims that his son was murdered in a premeditated act. He stated that his son had never visited the Rajabari Ghat area before. Given that his son left home after being called by an acquaintance and was later found dead in such a secluded location, his father suspects foul play.

Overall, several aspects have emerged surrounding the death of this former Air Force officer: his retirement from the Air Force, a controversy involving a video from August 5, his disappearance, and the subsequent recovery of his body from the Turag River. It remains unclear, however, whether these events are connected. Both his family and the public are now awaiting the results of the investigation to uncover the true cause of death and the mystery behind the incident.