Tahsif jumped into river, I fled: Dip tells PBI

Ahmed Shahriar Reza Dip, detained in connection with the mysterious death of dismissed Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant KM Tahsif Souri, has started speaking to investigators, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) said.

Dip, who reportedly introduced himself as Tahsif’s younger brother, had called him out of his home shortly before he went missing. PBI Dhaka Metro North took Dip into custody on Thursday night and conducted overnight operations at several locations.

An investigation-related police superintendent, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Dip told investigators that they were talking at the spot when some people chased them.

“Tahsif jumped into the river, and I fled,” Dip reportedly told investigators.

PBI Metro North Additional DIG Mohammad Enayet Hossain Mannan told Dhaka Post that investigators had visited the scene with Dip and were verifying information provided by him.

“We are investigating to establish the actual facts. We are trying to determine why they went there and whether Tahsif was killed, died in an accident or committed suicide,” he said.

Additional Inspector General of Police Mostafa Kamal said some important information had been obtained after Dip was taken into custody, but it could not be disclosed at this stage in the interest of the investigation.

Meanwhile, an unregistered motorcycle was recovered from the Mazar Basti area under Tongi West Police Station, around 3.5 kilometres from the spot where Tahsif’s body was recovered from the Turag River.

PBI headquarters Superintendent of Police Abu Yusuf confirmed that the motorcycle was found around 50 yards from the river. Investigators are checking whether it belonged to Tahsif.

Another PBI superintendent said the motorcycle was recovered based on information provided by Dip. Its ownership is being verified as it had no number plate. CCTV footage also showed Tahsif leaving his home on a motorcycle without a number plate.

Tahsif’s father, Enayetul Karim, said his son left home on Tuesday evening (October 27) after receiving a phone call from Dip.

At 1:35am, Tahsif sent a message to his mother’s phone saying he was returning home. However, he could not be contacted afterwards.

Police recovered his body from the Turag River on Wednesday afternoon.