A seven-year-old girl was killed and several members of her family were critically injured after a mob allegedly torched the home of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Belal Hossain in Lakshmipur, as political unrest tied to the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi continued to spiral.

According to reports carried by the Daily Star and Dhaka Tribune, crowds gathered outside Hossain’s residence in the early hours of Saturday and set the house ablaze while the family was trapped inside. Police and fire officials said the attack occurred around 1 am.

Officer-in-Charge Md Wahid Parvez confirmed to the Daily Star that Hossain’s younger daughter, 7-year-old Ayesha Akter, died in the fire. Fire service official Rajint Kumar told Dhaka Tribune, “One child was found dead, and three people were rescued with burn injuries.”

Child killed, sisters in critical condition

Hossain, who serves as assistant organising secretary of Bhabaniganj Union BNP, suffered serious burns along with his teenage daughters, 16-year-old Salma Akter and 14-year-old Samia Akter. They were taken to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital before the girls were transferred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors reportedly described their condition as critical.

Hossain’s mother, speaking to the Daily Star, alleged that attackers padlocked the doors and doused the house in petrol before igniting it.

Protests erupt after Hadi’s death

The killing came as Bangladesh remained on edge for a third day following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student activist and independent political figure who succumbed to gunshot injuries in Singapore on 18 December. His shooting in Dhaka on 12 December – just one day after authorities announced a 12 February 2026 parliamentary election – sparked violent demonstrations across the country.

Thousands gathered in the capital on Saturday for Hadi’s burial, held under heightened security at Dhaka University. Nobel laureate and interim Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus delivered an emotional message at the funeral, saying, "You are in our hearts and you will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists."

Yunus had earlier declared a national day of mourning and directed that special prayers be held nationwide.

Attacks on media houses, political offices and homes

Public anger boiled over late Thursday, with demonstrators attacking two major newspaper offices – the Daily Star and Prothom Alo. Reports also said parts of Dhanmondi-32, the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were targeted again.

In Lakshmipur, Hossain’s home became a flashpoint as crowds accused BNP leaders of stoking unrest. Protesters in Rajshahi and Chittagong also staged marches outside Indian diplomatic premises.

Hadi, associated with the radical group Inquilab Moncho, had frequently criticised what he described as “Indian hegemony.” Some local reports alleged that his assailants fled to India after the shooting, though police have not offered corroborating evidence.

Communal tensions surface

Authorities confirmed at least one communal attack during the upheaval. Police in Mymensingh said a Hindu man was beaten to death and torched by a mob over allegations of blasphemy as law-and-order pressure mounted.

The latest violence comes just days before BNP’s acting chairperson, Tarique Rahman, is expected to return to Bangladesh with his daughter on 25 December, ending 18 years in exile as he prepares to campaign for the February polls.