Former Air Force Officer Tahsif Souri Had Denied Allegations Over Hasina Video

Former Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant K. M. Tahsif Souri had addressed allegations that he circulated a video of Sheikh Hasina leaving the country and claims linking him to India's intelligence agency, ‘R’, in a podcast. Following news of his death, the interview on the YouTube channel ‘Speak with Rashid’ has drawn renewed attention.

The podcast, titled ‘MileStone Tragedy: Inside the Bangladesh Air Force’, was published on July 21. Tahsif discussed the Milestone tragedy, allegations surrounding the circulation of footage of Sheikh Hasina's departure and other questions from the host. He was also a former student of Milestone College.

Asked about claims that he had recorded and circulated the video and was connected to an alleged ‘R’ network within the Air Force, Tahsif said he believed a report about him was serving a propaganda purpose. He said the report claimed that Rifat Ashrafi had recorded the video and that he, Tahsif, had circulated it. He questioned what evidence supported the allegation.

When asked whether the allegation could have led to his release from the Air Force, Tahsif replied that it was possible. He said he could not discuss everything that had happened at the time, but believed the allegation might have contributed to the decision.

Tahsif dismissed the claim that he was connected to ‘R’ as ridiculous. He said the report's headline and presentation had associated him with an alleged intelligence network despite, in his view, there being no connection. He also said he had faced social embarrassment and harassment as a result. He referred to an ISPR statement on the matter.

Meanwhile, K. S. M. Intisar Inzimam, who identified himself as a friend of Tahsif and said he served in the Bangladesh Navy, claimed in a Facebook post that Tahsif had been involved in making the video of Sheikh Hasina's departure go viral. In the same post, he expressed suspicion that Tahsif's death could be politically connected, but did not cite conclusive evidence to establish that claim.

Inzimam wrote that Tahsif had been his friend at Adamjee College and that they later attended a joint-services course at the Bangladesh Military Academy. He claimed Tahsif had faced reputational attacks after the video surfaced on August 5 and said that, to his knowledge, no police case had been filed against him. Inzimam said he believed the video leak might be connected to Tahsif's death.

The statements made by Tahsif in the podcast differ from the claims made by his friend on social media. Allegations about the video's circulation, links to an intelligence agency and the possible circumstances of Tahsif's death remain claims attributed to the individuals involved; the information provided here does not establish them as independently verified conclusions.