Arson attack targets ex-Minister Naufel's family home in Chattogram

The family residence of former education minister and banned Awami League leader Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel came under an apparent arson attack in Chattogram early Friday (August 7).

The incident took place around 2:00am in the Chashma Hill area under Panchlaish Police Station.

Following the incident, firefighters and police responded quickly after receiving reports of the blaze and brought the fire under control.

However, no casualties were reported, while the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

According to police and local residents, a group of unidentified assailants arrived outside the house under the cover of darkness and attempted to set the property on fire. Flames reportedly spread to a pipeline in front of the residence before nearby residents noticed the smoke and raised the alarm. The attackers fled the scene before emergency responders arrived.

Mohammad Jahedul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Panchlaish Police Station, said, "CCTV footage captured seven young men loitering outside the residence around the time of the incident and attempting to ignite the property. Investigators are analysing the footage to identify the suspects, while police have launched a manhunt."

Naufel's brother alleged that the attackers hurled petrol bombs at the house. Police, however, said the claim has not yet been independently verified and that the exact sequence of events will be established through the ongoing investigation.

Additional police personnel have since been deployed around the property, and investigators have collected evidence from the scene.

The incident came a day after Naufel appeared virtually at a press conference held by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India. While local observers have linked the attack to that appearance, police said it is too early to determine a motive and urged against drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed.

In a separate but related incident, the residence of former Bangladesh cricket captain and ex-lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan in Magura was also set on fire after he joined the same virtual press conference. The house had remained vacant since the July mass uprising and had previously been vandalised on multiple occasions.