Coordinated Night Attacks Rock Prothom Alo, Daily Star Offices

Dhaka witnessed a grave escalation of unrest late on Thursday night as the headquarters of two of Bangladesh’s most prominent newspapers—Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—came under violent attack involving arson, extensive vandalism, and intimidation. The coordinated incidents took place in the Karwan Bazar area of the capital and followed protests triggered by the spread of news regarding the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson and convener of the Inkilab Manch.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, the violence began shortly before midnight on 18 December, when a large group of demonstrators marched from Shahbagh towards Karwan Bazar. Upon reaching the Prothom Alo office, the protesters laid siege to the premises, chanting slogans and staging a protest that quickly turned aggressive. Police officers stationed at the site attempted to pacify the crowd, but their efforts failed as tensions rapidly escalated.

Armed with sticks and blunt objects, the attackers began smashing windows and doors, shattering most of the building’s glass panels. Around midnight, a section of the mob forcibly entered the office, dragging furniture, office equipment, and important documents out onto the street. These items were subsequently set ablaze, filling the surrounding area with thick smoke and flames. Journalists and staff members inside the building were left trapped, while panic spread throughout the newsroom.

Eyewitnesses reported that during the vandalism and arson, protesters chanted slogans including “Inkilab, Inkilab,” “Zindabad,” and “Naraye Takbir,” creating an atmosphere of fear and chaos. One Prothom Alo journalist confirmed that several reporters and officials remained stuck inside the building as the situation remained volatile.

Almost simultaneously, a similar and equally alarming attack unfolded at the nearby office of The Daily Star. Protesters reached the premises shortly after midnight and set parts of the building on fire. With flames spreading rapidly and smoke filling the lower floors, journalists working inside were forced to flee to the rooftop to save their lives. Many remained trapped there, unable to descend due to the fire below.

A Daily Star reporter later told local media that the attackers had deliberately torched the office. Journalist Zaima Islam, who was trapped inside the building, shared a harrowing message on social media, describing severe breathing difficulties caused by dense smoke and pleading for help.

As the crisis deepened, the army was deployed to clear protesters from the front of The Daily Star office and restore order. Fire Service units arrived at approximately 12:58 am and immediately began firefighting and rescue operations, focusing on evacuating journalists stranded on the rooftop.

Tejgaon Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Keshainyu Marma, stated that several hundred individuals had participated in the attacks. While law enforcement agencies were working to stabilise the situation, he noted that the identities of those involved could not be immediately confirmed. As of the latest update, Karwan Bazar remained under heightened security, with lingering tension raising serious concerns about media safety, press freedom, and the overall law-and-order situation.

Incident Summary