United News of Bangladesh

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has handed over the body of a Bangladeshi youth, recovered from the Indian territory along the Chapainawabganj border, to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The body of Tasir Ali, son of Ibrahim Haque of Bakher Ali Paschimpara area in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila, was returned through a flag meeting between BGB and BSF at the Johorpur Tek border in Chapainawabganj on Friday night. Commander of the 53 BGB Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mustafizur Rahman said the flag meeting was held around 9pm on Friday after which Indian police formally handed over the body to Bangladesh police. Inspector Sukomal Chandra Debnath, investigation officer of Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station, received the body on behalf of Bangladesh police. He said marks of pellet injuries were found on the right side of Tasir’s chest but it could not be confirmed who fired the shots. The body was handed over to the family later that night. Earlier on Wednesday, Indian police recovered Tasir Ali’s body from the Bhagirathi River on the Indian side near Bakher Ali border under Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. According to family members, Tasir had gone missing after illegally crossing the border into India with several associates.  

Miscreants set fire to the district election office in Laxmipur town early Saturday. Md Abdur Rashid, District Election Officer, said the miscreants set the office on fire after pouring petrol around 3:30 am through the windows of the office and fled. However, the security guard of the office with the help of local people managed to extinguish the fire immediately. Some documents were gutted in the fire and legal steps will be taken in this regard, Rashid said. On information, deputy commissioner, police and election officials visited the spot in the morning. Md Rezaul Haque, additional superintendent of police (Sadar Circle), said efforts are on to arrest the arsonists.  

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked ninth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 165 at 9:09 am this morning (December 13, 2025). Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy’ referring to an alarming threat, according to the AQI index. India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Kolkata occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 577, 317, and 263 respectively. Read more: ‘Unhealthy’ air quality persists in densely populated Dhaka When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh? As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

The massive fire that broke out in a 10-storey building at Aganagar near Babu Bazar Bridge area of South Keraniganj has been brought under control after seven hours of efforts. The fire was brought under control around 12:30 pm on Saturday but a total of 20 units were still working to extinguish the blaze, said Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director, Fire Service and Civil Defence (Operation and  Maintenance). Firefighters rescued at least 45 people who were trapped in the building and brought them to safety using various stairways. Witnesses said some 10-12 tenants of the building fell sick due to smoke and they were taken to a local clinic. Read more: 4 of a family suffer burn injuries in fire from ‘gas leak’ in N’ganj  

A convict serving a life sentence for murder apparently committed suicide at Jashore Central Jail on Friday evening. The deceased convict was identified as Mizanur Rahman, 55, son of Akkach Ali from Gatipara Amtola village in Sharsha upazila. His convict number was 8709. According to the jail source, he broke into the carpet yard room inside the jail between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm, and attempted to hang himself. Duty guards noticed the attempt and immediately rescued him, rushing him to Jashore General Hospital. However, he was declared dead upon arrival. Man detained at Jashore Sadar Hospital with gun and knife Abid Ahmed, jailor of Jashore Central Jail said, “Mizanur had been arrested on July 24 this year in a murder case and was staying in the Kapotakkho-3 building. He secretly broke into the carpet yard room, where the incident occurred. The jail authorities have informed his family, and the body will be handed over to them after a post-mortem.” Dr Sakibul Islam of Jashore General Hospital’s emergency department said, “The convict was brought in dead. As it was an unnatural death, the body was sent to the morgue for post-mortem examination.”  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus held an emergency meeting on Friday (December 12, 2025) and said the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi is a well-planned attack on the democratic journey of Bangladesh. Through this, Prof Yunus said, the defeated power has shown its audacity to challenge the existence of the country. “We will thwart such an attempt at any cost. Such an attack by such an evil force on the nation will not be tolerated,” said the Chief Adviser. He said this another worrying incident during the tenure of the interim government. Read more: Zubaida visits gun-attack victim Hadi's family Prof Yunus held the emergency meeting with some members of the Council of Advisers and important officials of the law and order and security forces at the State Guest House Jamuna. Prof Yunus said this attack is an attack on Bangladesh's existence. The Chief Adviser will soon discuss the emerging situation with key political leaders, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Prof Yunus said a conspiracy was being hatched to thwart the national elections and referendum through the attack. “We will not allow such a conspiracy to succeed under any circumstances. No matter what the attack is, no matter how many storms come, no force will be able to obstruct the upcoming elections,” he said. Read more: CA speaks to Hadi's brother; assures govt to provide all treatment at home or abroad Prof Yunus said they would ensure a peaceful election for the nation with their combined strength, along with the support of the people of the country. Advisers Dr Asif Nazrul, Md Jahangir Alam, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adilur Rahman Khan, National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Home Affairs, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Health Affairs, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and senior officials of the police, armed forces, and intelligence agencies were present at the meeting. Prof Yunus said the attackers and those who planned the attack on Hadi must be arrested as soon as possible. He urged the people of the country to pray to the Almighty Allah for Hadi’s speedy recovery. Police said that CCTV footage of the attack site and other evidence have already been collected. Ordering immediate action at the border, the Chief Adviser said, “We must ensure that the attackers cannot leave the country under any circumstances.” Read more: DUCSU protests shooting of Osman Hadi He said the security of those who may have become potential targets due to their active involvement in the July uprising must be taken into consideration. The meeting decided that a special hotline number would be launched in the coming days to prevent any untoward incidents during the election period and to ensure rapid response. The meeting also resolved to intensify operations to recover illegal weapons and to search possible locations where criminals may be hiding.

A young man was shot in public in the court area of Nabinagar Municipality in Brahmanbaria on Friday evening. The incident occurred around 7:00 pm near Kalibari Mor in the court vicinity. The injured has been identified as Md. Rabbi, 21, son of Md. Helal Mia, a resident of Shahbazpur Upazila. He currently lives in a rented house in Majhikara area of the municipality. Rabbi was initially taken to Nabinagar Hospital and later referred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Eyewitness Md. Billal Hossain said, “We were having tea at a roadside shop when we heard gunshots. We saw a tall young man running with a pistol in his hand, but no one could identify him. The injured, Rabbi, was immediately taken to Nabinagar Government Hospital.” The motive behind the shooting is yet to be determined. Local sources said a dispute resolution meeting (Salish) was taking place at Balurchor field near the Zamindar Bari in the municipality, in which Rabbi and his friends were present. On their way home after the Salish, Rabbi was shot at Kalibari Mor. Three injured in Brahmanbaria clash over local dominance Dr. Onkon Roy of Nabinagar Hospital said, “The young man has a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest. He received initial treatment and was referred to Cumilla for further care.” Rafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Nabinagar Police Station, confirmed that two bullet shells were recovered from the scene. A preliminary investigation is underway, and nearby CCTV footage is being collected.  

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, visited the family of bullet-hit Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8, on Friday night to enquire about their wellbeing and express her sympathy. Dr Zubaida met Hadi’s family at Evercare Hospital at around 9:30pm, where Hadi is receiving treatment in the ICU. She spoke with his brother and sister outside the ICU and received updates from the doctors about his condition. BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon and Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, director of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, were also present. Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was shot and injured on Friday after Juma prayers on Box Culvert Road in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. He was seriously injured and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment before being transferred by an ambulance to Evercare Hospital for intensive care. Hadi has undergone head surgery and remains under close medical observation. BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has also been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23. Tarique terms attack on Hadi a conspiracy against democracy Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited Begum Khaleda Zia at the hospital to enquire about her condition. Later, he, along with BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, went to see Hadi at the hospital at around 11:20pm, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.  

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus spoke over the phone on Friday night with Omar Bin Hadi, brother of Inqilab Manch spokesperson and independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, Sharif Osman Hadi, who survived an assassination attempt on Friday but remains in very critical condition. The CA assured him that the government will ensure best possible treatment and bear all expenses related to Hadi’s treatment. Prof Yunus said that considering Hadi’s physical condition, the government will ensure the best possible medical care, whether at home or abroad. “Hadi is very dear to all of us. We wish him a speedy recovery and pray that he returns to us soon,” the Chief Adviser said. Hadi's condition 'very critical' after bullet causes 'massive brain injury'; doctor says there is fight in him He said the Council of Advisers is deeply concerned and saddened by the attack on Hadi. Assuring full cooperation from the government, Prof. Yunus told Hadi’s brother, “I have held an emergency meeting with several advisers, along with police and security officials. Instructions have been issued to arrest those involved in the attack as soon as possible.”    

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) staged a protest march today evening condemning the shooting of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and aspiring independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured after armed assailants opened fire on him in the capital’s Paltan area today. The procession began in front of the DUCSU building and paraded through several roads on campus before ending at the VC Chhatar. During the march, students chanted various slogans, including “We are all Hadi,” “We will speak even at gunpoint,” “Bullets pierce Hadi’s chest-what is the administration doing?” among others. At the rally, Sadik Shikdar, VP of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall Union, said, "The Bangladesh we earned in exchange for the blood of thousands of martyrs has been handed over to an interim government that has failed to ensure the security of the July revolutionaries. We demand the immediate arrest and trial of the terrorists who shot Hadi." Wishing Hadi’s speedy recovery, DUCSU AGS Mohiuddin Khan said, "Osman Hadi’s struggle is essentially our struggle. His struggle represents the struggle of July." Meanwhile, at 5 PM, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) brought out a protest march from the Dhaka Medical College Hospital premises. The procession marched around the Shaheed Minar, Rusel Tower, and the streets adjacent to Jagannath Hall before returning to the DMCH compound. JCD central committee president Rakibul Islam Rakib, general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, DU unit president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, general secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, and leaders from different levels participated in the march. Speaking there, JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib said, "The attack on Osman Hadi just one day after the announcement of the national election schedule is a conspiracy to sabotage the election. Hadi is an active participant of the July movement. The attack clearly exposes the failure of the interim government." Addressing the interim government, he said, "We urge the interim authorities to immediately bring the attackers to justice. A certain group is trying to destabilize the country-your duty is to stop them." DU students protest under banner of ‘Students Against Terrorism’ A group of Dhaka University students also held a protest rally under the banner ‘Students Against Terrorism,’ demanding justice and accountability for the attack. The rally was held at 5:30 PM in front of the Raju Sculpture on campus. Demanding the arrest of the culprits, DU student Reyadul Islam said, "We have always trusted the law and relied on state institutions. But today we face the tragic outcome of that trust-our beloved brother Hadi is fighting for his life after being shot.”