Kushtia Correspondent:

Police have arrested two individuals in connection with an attack on journalist Mahbubul Ahsan Ullas, who was targeted while gathering information on road construction irregularities in Kumarkhali in Kushtia.

The arrestees have been identified as Amirul Islam, 55, uncle of Jamaat-e-Islami MP Md. Afzal Hossain (Kushtia-4 constituency), and Maruf Hossain, 35, the MP’s alleged personal secretary (PS).

The pair were detained late Saturday night during a raid in the Elangi area of Nandalalpur Union under Kumarkhali Upazila. They were forwarded to court on Sunday morning, confirmed Jamal Uddin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kumarkhali Police Station.

According to the victim, Mahbubul Ahsan Ullas—a Kumarkhali-Khoksa correspondent for the private television channel Bangla TV—the local municipal authorities had previously halted the road construction project due to various allegations.

However, the MP’s son, brother, and other relatives allegedly used their political influence to resume the work. The attack took place when Ullas arrived at the site to collect pictures and details regarding the use of low-quality materials and other procedural irregularities.

Following the assault, Ullas filed an attempted murder case at Kumarkhali Police Station on Saturday evening. The complaint names 11 specific individuals, including MP Afzal Hossain’s son Shovon Hossain, uncle Amirul Islam, cousin Anwar Hossain, and alleged PS Maruf Hossain, alongside 20 to 25 unnamed accomplices.

The other named accused are: Ruhul Amin, 22, Liton Hossain, 45, Md. Al Amin, 27, Sohan, 26, Al Amin, 26, Sabbir, 28, and Sadik, 26.

Kumarkhali Police Station OC Jamal Uddin stated that a case under attempted murder charges has been registered against 11 named individuals and several unidentified others. Two key suspects have been sent to court, while operations remain underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.