An attack on a journalist during a Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami rally in Dhaka's Dhanmondi has drawn sharp condemnation, with the party offering regret hours after the incident.

Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) strongly condemned the assault on Mahfujur Rahman, a journalist with Dainik Sakal, allegedly carried out by Jamaat activists.

Citing eyewitness accounts, video footage and media reports, BJIM said Jamaat leaders and activists had gathered near the demolished Dhanmondi residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ahead of the founding anniversary of the banned Awami League party.

During the gathering, an altercation broke out between activists and journalists covering the event.

Mahfujur was assaulted by several party activists before fellow journalists intervened and rescued him. He repeatedly identified himself as a member of the press and displayed his credentials.

BJIM said the attack constituted a grave violation of press freedom.

"It is deeply concerning that such an incident could take place in the presence of law enforcement without adequate protection being provided to the media," the statement read.

Jamaat in a statement expressed regret over the incident.

Party spokesman Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said: "We express our sincere and deep regret over this unfortunate and regrettable incident."

Zubair said Jamaat unequivocally respects press freedom and the professional rights of journalists, and that violence against reporters in the line of duty is in no way justifiable.

He added that the incident appeared to have been triggered after the rally concluded, by what he described as "overenthusiastic individuals or undesirable outsiders."

He said the party would conduct an internal review to determine who was responsible and promised “strict organizational action” against anyone found to be involved in the incident.