Dhaka descended into turmoil late Thursday as furious protesters torched major media houses, forcing journalists to cry out for help from smoke-choked buildings. The unrest followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in Bangladesh’s 2024 student movement, who succumbed to gunshot injuries in a Singapore hospital. Hadi, 32, had been shot in the head by masked assailants on December 12 during an election campaign event in central Dhaka. His death sparked widespread anger, with demonstrators blaming the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus for failing to ensure security.

What began as mass rallies quickly escalated into violent attacks across the capital. Protesters first vandalized the Prothom Alo office before turning on The Daily Star headquarters in Kawran Bazar around midnight. As fires engulfed the lower floors, around 25 journalists were trapped inside, struggling to breathe amid thick smoke. Senior reporter Zyma Islam shared her ordeal live on social media, pleading for help as colleagues sought refuge on the rooftop.

Firefighters battled the blaze for hours but were initially blocked by hostile crowds, delaying rescue efforts until army units intervened before dawn. All trapped journalists were eventually rescued without injury, though the violence spread to Awami League offices and other areas, including Chattogram. While no deaths were reported from the attacks, the government declared a day of national mourning and vowed to bring Hadi’s killers to justice.

The incidents have intensified concerns over the safety of journalists in Bangladesh, as media outlets labeled “pro-India” increasingly face mob attacks and intimidation. Rights groups warn that the violence reflects growing political vendettas and echoes past assaults on critical voices, raising serious alarms ahead of upcoming elections.