Attackers on Prothom Alo, Daily Star identified

Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain on Sunday said the identities of several individuals involved in the recent arson attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been identified and steps are underway to bring them to justice.
Speaking to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat, he said intelligence agencies have provided photographs and identification details of some perpetrators, and law enforcement agencies are taking measures to arrest them.
"The government is working to prevent such incidents. However, controlling all locations in advance is challenging, as attacks often occur unexpectedly. We always discourage such acts," he said.
Responding to a question about the attack on Chhayanaut and "remarks" by some members of Islami Chhatra Shibir opposing such institutions, the adviser said it was unacceptable for any government-approved institution to be set on fire or for people to be harmed.
"Who says what is not within our jurisdiction. But it is never acceptable for any institution to be attacked or for people to be harmed. We consider such acts unjust and heinous, and we are determined to take legal action," he added.
Arson attacks targeting Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut and several other sites took place in different parts of the country on the night of December 18.
Asked whether the incidents reflected a failure of intelligence, the religious affairs adviser said it was not appropriate for him to comment on the issue, noting that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the home ministry.
He, however, cited an example of successful intelligence intervention, saying that timely information had helped authorities prevent a possible incident near the burial site of Hadi, beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, close to the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Arts.
The adviser also expressed concern over possible foreign instigation behind provocative comments.
"Comments from abroad are beyond the control of the Bangladesh government. Platforms like Meta and YouTube are responsible for overseeing such content. Even within Bangladesh, I receive insults on a daily basis," he said.
Attacks condemned
Two major South Asian journalists' organisations, the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and the Press Club of India (PCI), have condemned the recent wave of violent attacks, vandalism, and arson targeting major media houses, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.
In separate statements, both organisations also voiced grave concern over the harassment and reported assault of veteran journalist Nurul Kabir, who is the Editor of New Age as well as president of the Editors' Council.
In its statement, the Karachi Press Club said it was "deeply troubled" by reports that more than 100 journalists have been detained under serious charges without trial since Bangladesh's interim government assumed office.
Describing this as a climate of fear that suppresses public voice, the KPC demanded immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists.
In another statement, the Press Club of India (PCI) expressed deep concern and issued a strong condemnation of the attacks on the two leading Bangladeshi newspapers and the harassment of veteran journalist Nurul Kabir.
"Violence, intimidation, attacks or harassment aimed at silencing the media are in no way acceptable," the PCI said, calling such actions a serious violation of media freedom, constitutional guarantees of free expression and democratic norms.
Both press clubs called for fair, swift and impartial investigations and insisted that those involved in the attacks be held accountable.

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