File photo.

DHAKA, Dec 22, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 17 people have been arrested so far out of 31 individuals initially identified as responsible for the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and two cultural organizations.

Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) SN Md Nazrul Islam disclosed the information at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Center on Mintoo Road in the capital today.

Police officials said that 13 of the arrests were made by local police in connection with the attacks.

In addition, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit arrested three suspects, while the Detective Branch (DB) detained one person.

The arrests were made from Dhaka and different parts of the country until 9am today, according to a press release issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.

The arrestees have been identified as Md Naim, 26, Md Akash Ahmed Sagor, 28, Md Abdul Ahad, 18, Md Biplob,22, Md Nazrul Islam alias Minhaz, 20, Md Jahangir, 28, Md Sohel Rana, 24, Md hasan, 22, Russell alias Shakil, 28, Md Abdul Barek Shaikh alias Al Amin, Md rashidul islam, 25, Md Sohel Rana, 27, Shafiqul Islam, 34, Md Pranto Sikder alias Faisal Ahmed Pranto,15, Abul Kashem, Raju Hossain Chand and Saidur Rahman, 25. 
 
The attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star took place on the night of December 18.

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 Taka 50,000 looted during the incident.

During preliminary interrogation, he admitted to looting a total of Taka 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.

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.