Mountaineer Shayla Bithi attacked in Dhaka's Dhanmondi

Bangladeshi mountaineer Shayla Bithi was allegedly assaulted by unknown assailants while crossing a footbridge in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area on Saturday afternoon. 

The attack took place near Dhanmondi Government Boys High School.

Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station OC Mozammel Haque reported that the attackers pulled Bithi's hair from behind as she was descending the footbridge, causing her to fall on the stairs and sustain injuries. Bithi did not see her attackers. A police team was dispatched to the scene, and an investigation is underway.

Bithi's husband, senior journalist Taimur Faruk Tusher, detailed the incident on Facebook, sharing that Bithi suffered multiple injuries from the assault. He urged authorities to review CCTV footage from the area to identify the culprits and ensure justice.

Initially, Bithi went to Mohammadpur Police Station to file a complaint, but she was redirected to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, as the attack occurred within its jurisdiction. A police team later visited the site based on her complaint.

Women's rights activist Khushi Kabir condemned the attack and raised concerns about public safety in Dhaka, especially as such incidents occur in broad daylight.

Shayla Bithi is a prominent mountaineer, having summited Island Peak in the Himalayas in 2021. She was the first Bangladeshi woman to conquer Tibet’s Lakpa Ri in 2018 and crossed the Tashi Lapcha Pass in 2019.