A journalist’s home in Dhaka’s Pallabi area came under attack late on Monday night, with gunshots reportedly fired at the residence of private television channel reporter Pranta Parvez. The incident took place at around 2.15am on Tuesday in the Sabuj Bangla residential area of Pallabi.
According to Parvez, four men arrived at his residence on two motorcycles and began looking for him. At one point, the attackers allegedly opened fire in his direction before fleeing the area. He said two rounds were fired specifically at him, while a total of four gunshots were heard during the incident.
The late-night attack has raised concerns over the safety of journalists, particularly when threats or violence are allegedly linked to their professional reporting. Parvez has claimed that the incident was connected to a recent report broadcast by Ekattor Television concerning alleged extortion activities by a group known as the Ashik Group.
The journalist alleged that the group has been involved in criminal activities in several parts of the capital, including Mirpur and Pallabi. He believes the report on the group’s alleged extortion activities may have prompted the attack on his home.
Parvez named a man known as Ashik as the alleged main leader of the group. However, the allegations have not yet been independently verified, and it remains unclear who carried out the shooting or whether the alleged group was directly involved.
The incident occurred in the early hours when most residents in the area were likely at home, adding to concerns over security in the residential neighbourhood. The attackers reportedly left the scene shortly after the shooting.
No information was immediately available regarding any injuries caused by the gunfire. The circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether the assailants entered the building or remained outside while firing, will need to be established through an investigation.
Parvez is expected to file a case with Pallabi Police Station on Tuesday morning in connection with the incident. Once a formal complaint is lodged, investigators are expected to examine the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible.
The alleged motive will also be a key part of the investigation. If the shooting was indeed linked to the journalist’s reporting, the case would raise broader concerns about attempts to intimidate journalists through violence or threats.
For now, the allegations remain claims made by the journalist, and the identities and motives of the attackers have yet to be established officially. Police action following the filing of the case is expected to shed further light on the incident.
