In separate incidents from 18 December night to early 19 December 2025, the offices of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers — The Daily Star and Prothom Alo — were attacked in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar as fresh violence erupted over the murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, media reports said.
The assaults occurred amid heightened political tensions following the death of Hadi, a leader of the student organization Inqilab Mancha, who succumbed to injuries in Singapore after an assassination attempt in Dhaka on December 12.
The Prothom Alo office was first targeted when protesters vandalized the building and set fires outside. Two firefighters sustained injuries while combating the blaze. The Daily Star premises were also attacked later, with arsonists igniting fires on the ground floors and trapping nearly 28 employees on the rooftop for several hours.
One journalist’s distress message from the 10th floor circulated widely on social media, amplifying public concern. Veteran journalist Nurul Kabir of New Age was reportedly assaulted.
The attackers accused the two newspapers of supporting former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and maintaining a pro-India bias. The Bangladesh Army and Fire Service carried out overnight rescue operations, safely evacuating trapped staff. Both newspapers suspended their online and print publications on Friday due to extensive damage.
Press Club of India condemns attacks
The Press Club of India has condemned the violent attacks, vandalism and arson at the offices of daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as the harassment of the president of the Editors’ Council and Editor of New Age, veteran journalist Nurul Kabir.
“We find that after the Interim Government in Bangladesh took over, more than 100 journalists have been arrested on murder charges. They are behind bars without a trial. We demand the immediate release of those journalists.
“Independent and responsible journalism is one of the main foundations of a democratic state.
“Violence, intimidation, attacks or harassment aimed at silencing the media are in no way acceptable. Such actions are completely contrary to media freedom, the constitutional right to freedom of expression, and the rule of law.
“PCI demands that the perpetrators be identified and brought to justice through a fair, impartial and speedy investigation into these incidents,” the statement signed by PCI president Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty and secretary-general Afzal Imam said.
(This article was amended on 20/12/2025 to include the PCI’s statement)
