Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - Police have arrested 11 more individuals in connection with the attacks, vandalism, looting and arson at the offices of Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in the capital.

Detective Branch (DB) police arrested nine suspects during separate raids in different parts of Dhaka on Monday, while Tejgaon Police Station arrested two others, officials said.

The arrested are: Abdur Rahman, 30, Md. Jannatul Naeem, 21, Md. Faisal, 24, Qari Muaz bin Abdul Rahman, 33, Zubayer Hossain, 21, Md. Almas Ali, 29, Zulfikar Ali Saurav, 22,Niaz Mahmud, 28, Mohammad Mainul Islam, 22, Md. Hashem, 26 and Arafat Yasin, 29.

Deputy Commissioner of DB (media and public relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed their arrests.

According to DB sources, the arrests followed analysis of CCTV footage from the December 18 attack. 

With these latest arrests, the total number of people detained in the case has risen to 28 out of the 31 initially identified suspects.

Earlier, The Daily Star filed a case accusing 350 to 400 attackers of storming its office on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue early Friday, assaulting staff, looting cash and equipment, setting several floors on fire and sabotaging safety systems.

Losses were estimated at Tk 40 crore, forcing the newspaper to suspend its print edition on December 19 and halting its online services for 17 hours.

Prothom Alo also filed a case against 400 to 500 unidentified people over a similar attack at its Karwan Bazar office, alleging vandalism, looting, arson and attempts to disrupt publication.

The case was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Special Powers Act and the Cyber Security Ordinance. Total damages were estimated at around Tk 32 crore, while looted property was valued at Tk 2.5 crore.