A journalist’s home in Pallabi, Dhaka, was reportedly attacked and shots were fired in the early hours of Tuesday, with the victim alleging that the incident was linked to his recent reporting on alleged extortion.
Pranta Parvez, a reporter for private television channel 71 Television, said four men arrived at his home in the Sabuj Bangla residential area of Pallabi on two motorcycles at around 2.15am on Tuesday, 15 September. The incident took place late on Monday night, 14 September.
According to Parvez, the men came to his residence looking for him. At one stage, they allegedly opened fire, targeting him, before fleeing the area. He said two rounds were fired directly at him, while four rounds were fired in total during the incident.
The late-night attack has raised concerns over the safety of journalists working on reports involving alleged criminal activity. Parvez believes he was targeted because of his professional work and a recent report broadcast by 71 Television concerning alleged extortion by a group known as the Ashik Group.
The journalist alleged that the group has been involved in criminal activities in several areas, including Mirpur and Pallabi. He identified Ashik as the alleged principal figure behind the group and claimed that the attack followed the television report on its alleged extortion activities.
The allegations have not yet been independently established, and the identities of those who allegedly carried out the attack will have to be determined through an investigation. It is also yet to be established whether the reported shooting was directly connected to the television report.
Parvez is expected to file a case at Pallabi Police Station on Tuesday morning over the incident. A formal complaint could allow investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, identify those involved and determine the motive.
Investigators are also likely to examine any available evidence from the area, including possible CCTV footage, witness accounts and other information that could help establish how the attackers arrived at and left the residential area. Such evidence could be particularly significant in identifying the individuals involved, given that the alleged attackers used motorcycles and carried out the incident during the early hours of the morning.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns over the security of journalists who report on alleged crime, extortion and other sensitive issues. Attacks or threats against reporters can have wider implications for the ability of journalists to carry out professional duties without intimidation.
For now, the allegations made by the journalist remain subject to investigation. Further details are expected to emerge after the case is filed and law enforcement authorities begin examining the circumstances surrounding the reported attack.
