Former Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant KM Tahsif Souri came into the spotlight after his name was linked to a widely circulated video related to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country on 5 August 2024, amid the mass uprising.
The video sparked discussions and controversy on social media, which was also fuelled by some media reports on his alleged involvement in releasing the footage. His departure from the Air Force soon also drew attention.
Tahsif has now returned to the spotlight after his body was recovered from the Turag River in Uttarkhan, Dhaka. He had been missing since Tuesday evening (27 October). River Police recovered his body near Rajabari Ghat on Wednesday afternoon (28 October). The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.
According to his father KM Enayetul Karim Helal, a younger acquaintance named Dwip took Tahsif out on Tuesday evening. Around 1:30am Wednesday, Tahsif sent his mother a message saying he would return home. But he never did.
Police informed the family yesterday evening that his body had been found.
His father also said Tahsif had told him that he feared for his life.
Education and background
Born in 1998, Tahsif was 28 years old. He lived with his family in Sector 18 of Uttara.
According to people who knew him, Tahsif studied at Adamjee Cantonment College in Dhaka. He later completed a Joint Services Course equivalent to the 79th Bangladesh Military Academy long course before joining the Air Force. He served as a military pilot with the rank of flight lieutenant.
His Facebook bio described him as a "Veteran Military Pilot | Strategist | Entrepreneur". His account had around 9,500 followers.
Three days before his death, he shared a report by a private television channel about a drug raid at the home of an additional deputy inspector general in Bhatara. He wrote, "Lol! Shame on DMP" and "Government needs to verify this case".
Controversy over 5 August video
Hasina fled to India on 5 August 2024 after resigning as prime minister in the face of the mass uprising. A video showing events surrounding her departure from Ganabhaban, the then official residence of the prime minister, went viral.
Tahsif's name was linked to the recording and publication of the video showing Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana boarding a helicopter to get to the aircraft that took them to India.
Several media reports had claimed Tahsif was behind the recording and sharing of the video. However, he has always denied any involvement. People close to him have said that Tahsif faced negative publicity, harassment, and threats since then.
Why he left the Air Force
The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said in a statement on 4 August 2025 that Tahsif and Flight Lieutenant Rifat Ashrafi had been retired through due process under the Air Force's existing laws and regulations.
ISPR also described as misleading a media report that claimed the two officers had been compulsorily retired over the recording and sharing of the video showing Hasina fleeing.
The statement said their retirement had no connection to such claims and allegations of links with foreign intelligence agencies.
How his body was found
Around 4:30pm Wednesday, the national emergency service number 999 received a report that a body was floating in the Turag River near Rajabari Ghat in Uttarkhan.
Members of the Tongi River Police Outpost recovered the body. According to their preliminary report, Tahsif was wearing white pyjamas and a black shirt. He had a watch on his wrist and an iPhone in his pocket. The phone helped identify him.
Today (29 October), River Police's Dhaka Region SP Abdullah Al Mamun said no visible external injuries were found on the body. However, the cause of death could not be determined from this alone. The autopsy will determine the cause of death.
The body was sent to the morgue at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. River Police said further legal action would be taken based on complaints from his family.