United News of Bangladesh

A surveillance drone operated by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly entered Bangladeshi territory in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat before crashing due to a technical fault.  It was soon recovered by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), in a sequence of events that triggered a spell of tension in the border area. Locals said the drone was found in a cornfield inside Bangladesh, around 20 yards from main border pillar 841/8S, under Burimari Union, where it fell with a loud crash, immediately alerting farmers working in their fields.  They immediately informed BGB personnel at the Burimari BOP, who later seized the drone and took it into custody. The incident occurred around 12.30 - 1pm on Tuesday in the Moglibari border area. Witnesses said the BSF, specifically its 98 Himalaya Camp located in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, was conducting surveillance and recording video of the border area using the drone, when they lost control of it due to a mechanical fault and fell inside Bangladesh territory. The commandant of the camp contacted the BGB regarding the drone. The device reportedly flew over a farmer working in his field before crashing into the cornfield with a loud noise, causing panic among nearby residents. There are also suggestions that the drone may have been neutralized by Bangladesh's use of advanced Electronic Warfare platforms rather than suffering a simple mechanical failure. Bangladesh Army’s growing EW capabilities, as part of its Forces Goal 2030 upgrade initiative, include systems acquired from multiple advanced suppliers enabling effective signal disruption. In 2025, it procured the Turkish İLTER J350 Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS), a modern RF and radar-based system capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising small and medium UAVs. Meanwhile the Bangladesh Air Force, just last month, formally inducted two units of the advanced French-made Thales Ground Master 403M radar system, to enhance airspace surveillance. The units were operating at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and Bogura as of April 2026. Following the crashing of the Indian drone on Tuesday, BSF personnel reportedly increased patrols along the border in an attempt to recover it, further heightening tensions in the area. After local farmers informed BGB, members of Burimari BOP under Teesta Battalion (61 BGB) reached the spot and recovered the drone, taking it into custody. However, BGB has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. Md Nazmul Haque, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patgram Police Station, said he learned about the recovery through social media and added that BGB had not formally communicated the matter to the police. The border district of Lalmonirhat has been frequently in the news, emerging as a potential flashpoint in any escalation due to its hugely strategic location.  As soon as the previous regime led by the Awami League fell, reports started emerging of Bangladesh actively planning to revive the long-abandoned World War II-era Lalmonirhat Airfield (VGLM) to boost regional economic activity, tourism, and industrialization in northern Bangladesh.  Located around 135 km from India’s strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, the initiative prompted concern within Indian defence and strategic circles. But in May 2025, the Director of Military Operations of Bangladesh Army, stated that there are no plans at present for the Lalmonirhat airfield to be used "for military purposes." Rather the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh is focusing on reviving several abandoned airports, with Lalmonirhat being part of this effort to boost the northern economy. Recent reports indicate Chinese interest and potential involvement in the technical aspects of the revival - that again raised alarm bells in Delhi.  It all makes the quiet northern district of Lalmonirhat ripe for precisely the sort of surveillance the BSF drone was actually engaged in, before it crashed due to the said malfunction, or it was brought down by the border protective force's  deployment of the systems brought for them. 

A local leader of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal was shot in one of the legs allegedly by rivals in the Kadamtali area of the capital on Wednesday. The injured was identified as Md Rony, 28, general secretary of Dhaka Match unit of Sramik Dal under ward No. 59 of Dhaka South City Corporation and son of Billal Hossain of Barakul Patwari village in Chandpur’s Hajiganj upazila. He used to live at Kadamtali with his family. The incident took place around 5:30pm at the New Colony Rail Line Bazar when a group of miscreants opened fire on him over establishing dominance in the locality, said his cousin Md Hasan. He said Rony runs a wood shop in the locality and is also active in local politics. “He was returning home after closing his shop in the afternoon when several unidentified attackers opened fire on him,” he said, adding that he suffered injuries to above the left knee. Rony was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 7:30pm, Hasan said. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said doctors removed a bullet from above his left knee and he is now receiving treatment. Police have been informed and further legal action is underway, he added.  

An unidentified man was found dead on the north side of the Emergency Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Wednesday. The deceased, aged around 60, was found near the One Stop Emergency and Casualty (OSEC) in an unconscious condition around noon and taken to the Emergency Department. After examination, the on-duty doctor there declared him dead. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. Police suspect that the man might have died due to illness. Police said the Crime Scene Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of police visited the spot and efforts are underway to identify the deceased using technological support, Faruk said.  

Zakir Hossain, sub-registrar of Savar, has been withdrawn over allegations of corruption and irregularities. According to an office order issued by the Law and Justice Division under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, a departmental case (No. 01/2026) has been filed against him on charges of misconduct under Rule 3(b) and corruption under Rule 3(d) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. Following the case, he was withdrawn from the Savar Sub-Registry Office and attached to the Office of the Registrar General under the Directorate of Registration until the case is disposed of. He was also directed to immediately hand over his current responsibilities and join his new posting. The order was signed by Hasan Mahmudul Islam, Joint Secretary (Registration) of the Law and Justice Division, and Mohammad Azizur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary.

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Sunday urged deputy commissioners (DCs) across the country to report any specific irregularities or allegations of corruption in field-level offices under the Ministry of Law to strengthen oversight and accountability. “We will address such issues specifically and have asked them to remain vigilant,” he told reporters after the fourth session on the opening day of the DC conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The session was held with the Law and Justice Division and the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. During the meeting, DCs proposed introducing a competitive examination for appointing government pleaders (GPs) and assistant government pleaders (AGPs) at the district level. Responding to the proposal, the minister said it is under consideration. “The proposed Permanent Prosecution Service is also under consideration. We are working on it,” he added. He also noted delays in processing files related to government property, stressing the need for closer monitoring to prevent such backlogs. “If there are further suggestions, we have asked them to inform us so that we can address them in the future,” he said. When asked whether a separate helpline would be introduced for reporting complaints, the minister said it was unnecessary, as the matter involves coordination between government departments. On reducing the backlog of cases, he said the DCs have been asked to provide suggestions in this regard.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested a total of 152 alleged extortionists during a special drive conducted across the capital over the 48 hours. The information was disclosed by DMP acting Commissioner Md Sarwar at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre on Sunday noon. He said ensuring security, comfort and a peaceful life for city residents remains a key commitment of the police. “As part of that effort, a coordinated special drive has been intensified since May 1 targeting extortionists, drug traffickers, armed criminals and online gambling networks across the city.” According to the acting DMP chief, the operation is part of a broader security strategy aimed at improving law and order and curbing crime nationwide in line with the government’s commitments. He said law enforcement agencies are conducting targeted operations in crime-prone areas, including sudden block raids, setting up checkpoints, and increasing intelligence surveillance alongside CCTV monitoring to restrict escape routes of offenders. Sarwar said suspected persons are being punished through mobile courts after scrutinising their offences, while major offenders are being processed through regular case procedures and sent to court. He added that joint efforts involving local thana, Detective Branch, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime, plainclothes officers and cyber monitoring teams are being carried out using modern technology to track criminal activities, particularly online fraud and gambling. During the 48-hour drive, police arrested 58 listed extortionists and 94 associated members based on specific intelligence. Highlighting other successes, the acting DMP chief said 80 kilograms of cannabis were recovered in a drive on Saturday, alongside arrests of active drug traffickers. In recent weeks, law enforcement has shifted focus from small drug users and petty dealers to larger consignments, recovering over 100,000 Yaba tablets, around half a kilogram of heroin, and more than 200 kilograms of cannabis in separate operations, he said. Sarwar also said investigations are underway to identify and prosecute the “godfathers” behind drug networks, with steps being taken to file cases, including money laundering, in coordination with relevant units such as Criminal Investigation Department. He reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy on illegal arms holders, saying operations against online gambling operators and digital fraud rings are ongoing. To strengthen area-based security, police have already set up two camps in Bosila and Karwan Bazar, with plans to establish more in other important locations soon, the acting DMP chief added.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested another accused in the case filed over the killing of a self-proclaimed “Pir” Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza and Jahangir, in a mob attack at his shrine in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia. Rajib Mistry, 32, one of the four accused named in the First Information Report (FIR), was arrested during a drive in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi around 11:00pm on Thursday, said Additional Superintendent of Police Sudipta Sarkar, Company Commander of RAB-12 Kushtia camp. Rajib Mistry is the son of Gazi Mistry of West South Philipnagar village under Philipnagar union in Daulatpur. He is the No. 3 accused in the case, officials said. He was arrested in a joint operation conducted by RAB-5 Rajshahi and RAB-12 Kushtia. Rajib Mistry was sent to jail through a court on Friday. Officer-in-Charge of Daulatpur Police Station Arifur Rahman said a total of four people have so far been arrested in the case, while drives to apprehend others are continuing. Earlier, police arrested Biplob Hossain, 26, Alif Islam, 23, and Class X student Alamgir Hossain, 16, in connection with the murder. On April 11, Shamim Reza, 65, was beaten and hacked to death at his shrine known as “Shamim Baba’s Darbar Sharif” in Philipnagar union. According to locals, an old video from 2023 resurfaced, leading to allegations of blasphemy and triggering the attack. Three of his followers were also injured in the incident. Following the incident, victim’s brother Fazlur Rahman filed a case with Daulatpur Police Station on April 13 against four named individuals, including Rajib Mistry, and 180-200 unnamed ones.

A court in Joypurhat on Thursday sent seven leaders of the Awami League to jail after they surrendered in multiple cases, including murder, filed over incidents during the July student-led mass movement. The accused appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court seeking bail. However, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Milon Chandra Pal rejected their bail petitions and ordered that they be sent to jail. They were later taken to Joypurhat District Jail under tight security. The jailed leaders are Fazlur Rahman, general secretary of Kalai upazila Awami League; Abdul Kuddus Fakir, vice-president of the upazila unit and chairman of Punot Union Parishad; Rafiqul Islam, president of Jindarpur union Awami League; Ziaur Rahman, president of Kalai upazila Jubo League and chairman of Jindarpur Union Parishad; Akbar Ali, president of Ahmedabad union Awami League; Enamul Hossain Fakir, member of Kalai upazila Awami League; and former student leader Minhajur Rahman Mithun. Public Prosecutor of Joypurhat District and Sessions Judge Court Advocate Shahanur Rahman Shahin confirmed the matter.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) on Wednesday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to shut unregistered online news portals operating in Sylhet city in violation of the National Online Media Policy. In a public notice signed by SMP Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, it said registration is mandatory for operating online news portals under the National Online Media Policy 2017 (amended 2020). However, a number of portals have been operating in Sylhet without proper registration and publishing false, misleading and motivated reports. The notice said such content is spreading propaganda, defamatory information and anti-state narratives, creating confusion among the public and damaging the country’s image. The SMP directed all unregistered online news portals to remove their platforms from both local and international domains within 48 hours of the notice – by 6:00pm on May 1. It warned that strict legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the directive. At the same time, the SMP urged residents of Sylhet city to refrain from sharing, liking, commenting on or promoting content published by unregistered news portals on social media.

The Appellate Division on Tuesday upheld the High Court’s order that granted bail to  former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque in five separate cases. An Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury dismissed multiple petitions seeking a stay on the bail order and rejected state appeals against the High Court’s decision, thereby keeping the bail orders in force. Senior lawyers Kamrul Haque Siddique and Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju appeared for Khairul Haque during the hearing. Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju said Khairul Haque will not be released from jail immediately as he remains shown arrested in two other cases. Earlier, on March 8, the High Court granted bail to Khairul Haque in four cases after issuing a rule. He later secured bail in an ACC case on March 11. The state subsequently moved the Appellate Division seeking a stay on those bail orders. However, during this period, he was shown arrested in two more cases at lower courts . Khairul Haque was arrested by police from his Dhanmondi residence in Dhaka on July 24 last year. He was later shown arrested in a murder case filed over the killing of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad in Jatrabari during the July movement. Besides, four other cases were filed against him including one over alleged manipulation of the caretaker government verdict. The case was lodged on August 27 at Shahbagh Police Station by Supreme Court lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shahin Khairul Haque was appointed the 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh on September 27, 2010, with the appointment effective from September 30 the same year. He retired on May 17, 2011, and later served three terms as Chairman of the Law Commission.