Tahsif’s friend tells PBI they were chased before the river incident

Image- Collected

A friend of former Bangladesh Air Force officer Tahsif Souri has told investigators that a group of people chased them shortly before Tahsif jumped into the Turag River, where his body was later recovered.

Shahriar Dip, a friend of Tahsif, gave the account during questioning by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), which is conducting a parallel investigation into the death alongside the Naval Police.

Dip’s latest statement differs from his earlier account to journalists on Thursday. At the time, he said he and Tahsif had visited a garage together before separating after dinner in the House Building area of Uttara.

He also said he returned home and later called Tahsif, only to find his mobile phone switched off. PBI investigators are now examining the differences between his two accounts.

A PBI official holding the rank of superintendent of police quoted Dip as telling investigators: “We were talking there (at the scene). At that time, some people chased us. Tahsif bhai jumped into the river, and I ran away.”

The official said investigators were verifying Dip’s statement and other information gathered during questioning.

The PBI confirmed on Friday that Dip had been questioned after being taken from his residence on Babar Road in Mohammadpur to the agency’s Dhaka Metro North office on Thursday night.

According to the PBI official, investigators conducted overnight operations at several locations with Dip to verify his account.

PBI chief Additional Inspector General of Police Mustafa Kamal said investigators had obtained several pieces of information after taking Dip into custody. However, the agency has not clarified whether he has been formally arrested.

Dip had spent around six hours with Tahsif before the latter went missing. Investigators are examining his statements and possible involvement in Tahsif’s disappearance and death through on-site inquiries and technological analysis.

Meanwhile, Tongi River Police recovered Tahsif’s body from the Rajabari Ghat area of the Turag River at around 4:30 PM on October 28. His identity was established through an iPhone and a wristwatch found near the body.

Tahsif’s father, KM Enayetul Karim, suspects that his son was murdered. He said Tahsif had spent the entire day on October 27 shopping for his family before leaving home in the evening.

At 1:35 AM, Tahsif sent a text message to his mother saying, “Mum, I am coming.” His phone has remained switched off since then.

The family received news from police at around 5:15 AM that his body had been recovered.

His father also said Tahsif had never visited the Rajabari Ghat area before.

Meanwhile, no family members were found at Dip’s residence on Babar Road. Security personnel at the house said Dip was a student and that they knew little about his friendship with Tahsif.

They also said Dip returned home at around 2:30 AM on the night of the incident.