Eight Arrested Over Attack on Internet Service Provider

Amid growing concerns over the security of Bangladesh's digital infrastructure, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has arrested eight people in connection with an extortion, vandalism and looting attack on the office of internet service provider Digital Dot Net (DDN). The arrested individuals are Md. Yunus (41), Imran Hossain Chang (31), Akbar Hossain (24), Md. Sumon (27), Md. Monir alias Keherman (38), Md. Gias Uddin (21), Md. Nayan (20), and Mohammad Abdul Nahid alias Farhad (28).

At a press briefing on 15 July, Wednesday, CMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Muhammad Faisal Ahmed said, the arrests were made during overnight raids on 14 July conducted jointly by multiple CMP teams, Chawkbazar Police Station and RAB-7 across different parts of the city. Eirler, The DDN owner first received a WhatsApp call on 11 July from a person identifying himself as "Debid Imon," demanding Tk 20 million. The caller later demanded a monthly payment of Tk 1 million.

According to police, after the demand was refused, the owner received repeated death threats. Two days later, on 13 July, a group of 30 to 40 armed attackers stormed the DDN office located at Mariam Heights on Monumiaji Lane under Chawkbazar Police Station.

The attackers allegedly vandalized office equipment worth around Tk 1.5 million and looted Tk 47,000 in cash, three Android smartphones, a Canon printer and a bag belonging to DDN Director Ariful Islam.

Police said the bag contained approximately Tk 3.5 million that had been kept for employee salary payments.

CMP officials said all eight arrested suspects have been produced before the court. Among them, Yunus has five previous cases, Imran Hossain Chang 12, Akbar Hossain six, Sumon six, Monir alias Keherman seven, and Nayan eight criminal cases.

Police added that the investigation is ongoing, while operations continue to arrest the remaining suspects who are still absconding.

//DBTech/BNO/SMI//