A case has been filed over the alleged attack on Kaler Kantho journalist Kabir Ahmed and a group of media workers and tourists accompanying him in Bholaganj, Sylhet. The incident drew widespread attention after three people, including the journalist and tourists, were injured in the attack.
On August 10, Kabir Ahmed, Sylhet divisional multimedia bureau chief of Kaler Kantho, filed a case with Companiganj Police Station naming three people as accused and several others as unidentified suspects. Police recorded the case as Case No. 5.
The attack took place on Friday (August 7) evening on the Sylhet-Bholaganj highway in front of the Bholaganj Police Outpost.
According to the case statement, Kabir Ahmed was returning to Sylhet city in a HiAce vehicle at around 6:30pm after collecting news in Bholaganj. He was accompanied by a media worker from Gazipur and several tourists.
When they reached the highway in front of the Bholaganj Police Outpost, a private car allegedly rammed their vehicle from behind. The impact shattered the rear glass of the HiAce, causing damage estimated at around Tk 100,000, according to the case statement.
The complaint alleges that Kabir Ahmed was attacked immediately after getting out of the vehicle. The plaintiff claimed that several people, angered by a report he had published about the alleged looting of stones from the Sadapathor tourist area around one and a half years ago, attacked him with the intention of killing him.
According to the complaint, the attackers struck him with an iron wrench, a sharp machete and iron pipes, causing serious injuries to his chest, nose and face. He also sustained cuts and injuries to different parts of his body as the attackers allegedly beat him indiscriminately.
The case statement further alleges that during the attack, the assailants took away Kabir Ahmed’s Sony 4K Handycam camera and Samsung S25 Ultra smartphone. The devices reportedly contained video footage, photographs and recorded interviews collected during his reporting in Bholaganj.
The attackers also allegedly attempted to forcibly take Kabir Ahmed away in a private car. Media workers, tourists accompanying him and local pedestrians intervened, preventing the alleged abduction and rescuing the seriously injured journalist.
Two other tourists accompanying him were also injured during the incident.
A police team led by Companiganj Police Station Sub-Inspector Zahid arrived at the scene during the attack. The complaint alleges that police detained the private car allegedly used by the attackers along with one person, but relatives of the accused later allegedly created a mob and forcibly took the vehicle and the detained person away from police custody.
The injured were subsequently taken to Companiganj Upazila Health Complex. After receiving initial treatment, Kabir Ahmed was transferred to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital as his condition was considered serious.
On August 8, Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury, along with journalists and political leaders, visited the injured journalist at Osmani Medical College Hospital.
Why the attackers were allegedly angry
Kabir Ahmed, the complainant in the case, said he had published reports about the alleged looting of stones from the Sadapathor area in Bholaganj around one and a half years ago. The reports included the names and photographs of several people, and the issue was also covered by various media outlets across the country.
Kabir alleged that following the publication of those reports, Dulal Mia, also known as Dula Member—the father of accused Iqbal Hossain—was removed from his position as a member of Ward No. 8 of Islampur West Union by the Local Government Division.
He claimed that he had subsequently received threats and that the accused had been looking for an opportunity to attack him.
Describing the incident as a premeditated attack, Kabir Ahmed has sought legal action against those allegedly involved.
The accused could not immediately be reached for comment.
Companiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Osman Gani said a case had been recorded against those allegedly involved in the incident.
“Police are conducting operations to arrest the accused,” he said.
