File photo.

DHAKA, Dec 22, 2025 (BSS) - Law enforcement agencies have so far arrested nine suspects in connection with the recent attacks on the offices of national dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as two cultural organizations.

The arrests have been made from Dhaka and different parts of the country till 9am today, said a press release from the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.

The identities of seven among the arrested individuals have been confirmed. 

They are Md Kashem Faruk, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naeem, Faisal Ahmed Prant, Md Sohel Rana, and Md Shafiqul Islam. 

In addition, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) and the Detective Branch (DB) of police have detained two more suspects whose identities are currently being verified. 

Police officials informed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday that at least 31 individuals have been initially identified as suspects after analyzing video footage of the incidents. 

Authorities also said that three people involved in attempts to create chaos near the residence of the Assistant High Commissioner of India in Chattogram have been identified through video evidence. 

Among the arrestees, Kashem Faruk is a former student of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kasemul Uloom Madrasa in Bogura and a resident of Mohammadpur in Dhaka. 

Md Saidur Rahman hails from Noakanda village in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district.

Rakib Hossain, a resident of Sherpur district, was identified in video footage as an active participant in vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. 

Police said he also posted images of the vandalized premises and made provocative posts on social media.

Md Naeem, a resident of Tejgaon's Kunipara area, was arrested in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla with Tk 50,000 looted during the incident. 

During preliminary interrogation, he admitted to looting a total of Tk 1,23,000, with which he purchased a television and a refrigerator from Mohammadpur. 

The television and refrigerator have already been seized.

Md Sohel Rana, arrested from the Karwan Bazar railway line area, has 13 previous cases filed against him in different Dhaka police stations, including narcotics-related charges. 

Md Shafiqul Islam, also arrested from the same area, has two prior cases related to arson and cocktail explosions.

Police said interrogation of the remaining arrestees is ongoing and further arrests may follow as the investigation continues.

The Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) confirmed the arrests in a brief message sent to the media and said a case has been filed in connection with the attacks.

The development will be formally briefed today by Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the DMP SN Md Nazrul Islam. The press briefing is scheduled to take place at 11:45 am at the DMP Media Center on Mintoo Road in the capital.

According to police officials, the arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into the attacks, and evidence has been seized to support the case.

The DMP said it remains committed to ensuring the safety of media institutions and bringing those responsible for the attacks to justice.

The attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star took place on the night of December 18.