A microbus carrying eight student leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement was reportedly attacked by muggers on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Narayanganj's Sonargaon upazila early today.

The incident occurred around 2:00am in Mograpara area as the student leaders were traveling to Bandarban's Lama for an event, said Kazi Wahed Murshed, officer-in-charge of Kanchpur Highway Police Station.

Dense fog had slowed traffic on the highway when a group of individuals armed with locally made sharp weapons stopped the vehicle, broke windows of the microbus, and looted the belongings, he added.

Two student leaders suffered minor injuries from broken glass during the attack.

The attackers allegedly looted mobile phones and wallets from the group, the OC said.

Some student leaders returned to Dhaka, while others continued their journey to Lama in other vehicles, he added. 

One of the victims, Rupaiya Shreshta Tanchangya, said, "They stopped our car, held us hostage, and quickly looted our belongings before fleeing."

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Mohammad Abdul Bari, OC of Sonargaon Police Station said, "Based on the nature of the attack and initial accounts, we suspect it was a mugging incident. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the attackers."

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, called for a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators in a Facebook post.

Umama Fatema, the organisation's spokesperson, said the group included key leaders such as Arif Sohel, the movement's member secretary.