United News of Bangladesh

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has warned against a misleading reel circulated on social media, which uses a distorted video clip of DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali combined with an artificial voice to spread false and fabricated information. In a media release issued early Thursday, the DMP urged the public not to be misled by such planned and malicious attempts being made through social media by defeated quarters. Strict action to be taken against biased conduct during polls: DMP Commissioner The release said the move appears to be part of a deliberate effort by ill-motivated groups to create confusion among the public about the police’s recent actions to protect lives and property amid incidents of cocktail explosions and arson attacks on vehicles in different parts of the capital. The DMP also warned that stern legal action will be taken against those involved in producing and disseminating such distorted content. It also urged social media users to verify the authenticity of any information, photo, audio, or video before sharing it online.    

Supporters and opponents of the Awami League-called ‘lockdown’ staged separate demonstrations in Gazipur on Thursday morning (13th November 2025), though daily life remained largely normal despite reduced long-distance bus services. From early morning, students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) and several other institutions took to the streets with sticks to resist enforcement of the lockdown. They staged protests at Rail Gate and other key points before gathering at Shibbari intersection, chanting slogans against the banned Awami League. Read more: 3 buses set on fire in Gazipur Meanwhile, activists of Islami Andolan Bangladesh brought out motorcycle rallies and processions in several areas before converging at Shibbari. Earlier at dawn, district Jubo League activists demonstrated in favour of the lockdown by burning tyres on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Sreepur’s C&B area. Members of law enforcement agencies were deployed at several points of Gazipur city to prevent any illegal attempt to disrupt daily life. On Tuesday night and early Wednesday, miscreants set fire to three buses at different locations in Gazipur, triggering panic among residents. Read more: Dhaka on high alert amid Awami League's countrywide ‘lockdown’ call

Law enforcement agencies, including police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), are on high alert across key points of Dhaka on Thursday (13th November 2025) as the Awami League (AL) called a countrywide ‘lockdown’. The movement of people and transport, particularly private vehicles, was notably thinner than usual amid growing public anxiety over safety. Businesses and educational institutions remained open, continuing their regular activities. Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman, a resident of Gulshan and a well-known therapist, who travelled to Mirpur 7 by motorcycle for urgent work, told UNB, “The number of passenger vehicles was almost half of what we usually see on a weekday. Only a limited number of CNG auto-rickshaws, private cars, and motorcycles were on the streets. However, the police presence on flyovers has significantly reduced the risk of sabotage. I felt quite safe while travelling.” He added, “It’s clear that fear has kept many people at home today.” The supporters of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and allied parties took positions at several points in Dhaka to resist any move by the AL and brought out processions protesting the  ‘lockdown’ programme, called as the International Crime Tribunal-1 ( ICT-1) is set to announce a date today for the delivery of judgment in a case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others for crimes against humanity, including murders, during last year's July-August mass uprising.  Over the past few days, several incidents of arson and crude bomb blasts were reported in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, intensifying public fears of renewed unrest. To maintain order, the government deployed 12 platoons of BGB in Dhaka and two more in nearby districts. At a press conference on Wednesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said the force was fully prepared to prevent any act of sabotage related to the lockdown. Read more: Tension rises in Dhaka ahead of planned ‘lockdown’ amid fears of violence The tribunal fixed November 13 for fixing a judgment date after both prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments before the three-member panel led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh to India on August 5, 2024, amid the mass uprising. A total of 54 witnesses testified in the trial, including relatives of victims—such as the father of martyr Abu Sayed—and key witnesses like Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman. According to the charges, the then Awami League government, along with party leaders, loyal administrators and members of law enforcement agencies, committed crimes against humanity to suppress the student-led July–August uprising. On July 10, the tribunal indicted Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, formally beginning the trial. Former IGP Al-Mamun later turned state witness and provided detailed testimony about the incidents. Besides this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other cases before the International Crimes Tribunal—one over enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power, and another over the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally killings at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar. Read more: Tensions rise as ICT going to set verdict date in Hasina case

A crude bomb exploded in front of Fortune Shopping Mall in the capital’s Mouchak area on Wednesday night, police said. The explosion occurred around 11:30 pm near the Mouchak roundabout, sparking panic among pedestrians and commuters. However, no casualties were reported. Speaking to UNB, a police officer said the crude bomb—commonly known as a cocktail—was hurled from the Malibagh flyover by an unidentified assailant. “The miscreant managed to flee as he was on the flyover,” the officer added. Meanwhile, a man was injured in a separate incident of cocktail explosions at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University on Wednesday night. A motorcycle belonging to a journalist parked nearby was also partially damaged in the blast.  

Miscreants set fire to an abandoned train coach in Tejgaon railway station area of the capital on Wednesday night. The coach was set on fire around 9:30 pm, said Zainal Abedin, officer-in-charge of Dhaka Railway Police Station. He said two seats of the abandoned coach were damaged in the blaze. Police detained two susects from the spot. Legal action is underway, the OC added.

Bangladesh has been placed on high alert ahead of the International Crimes Tribunal-1’s (ICT-1) pronouncement of the verdict date on Thursday (13th November 2025) in a case against ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and two others over crimes against humanity during last year’s July uprising. The tribunal fixed the date on October 23 after the prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments before the three-member ICT-1 headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. Tensions have escalated across the country over the tribunal’s announcement of verdict date as the Awami League called for a nationwide ‘lockdown’ on Thursday through social media in protest against the trial. In the lead-up to the verdict date, several incidents of arson and crude bomb explosions were reported in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, raising public fears of renewed violence. Law enforcement agencies, including police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have been deployed across the capital and other major cities to maintain order. Read more: 14 platoons of BGB deployed in Dhaka, adjoining districts Dhaka’s usually congested roads appeared unusually calm on Wednesday, with significantly lighter traffic during office hours amid growing public anxiety and security concerns. Additional police personnel have been stationed at all entry and exit points in the capital. At a press conference on Wednesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said the force was fully prepared to avert acts of sabotage associated with the lockdown. Fourteen platoons of the BGB have been deployed in Dhaka and surrounding districts since Wednesday morning. Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024 amid mass uprising  and the country has since experienced deepening political turmoil. The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted simultaneous drives across the capital in the past 24 hours till Wednesday morning, arresting 44 more leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations. In this much-discussed case, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on five charges of crimes against humanity. Read more: Sheikh Hasina and family members can't vote from abroad: EC official Relatives of victims, including the father of martyr Abu Sayed testified in the case, along with key witnesses including Nahid Islam, Convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman. In total, 54 witnesses testified in the trial. According to the charges, the then Awami League government, along with its party leaders, loyal administrators, and members of law enforcement agencies, committed crimes against humanity to suppress the student-led July–August uprising. Two international crimes tribunals are currently trying these allegations. On July 10, the tribunal formally indicted Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, beginning the trial. Former IGP Al-Mamun turned state witness and gave testimony revealing details of the incidents. Besides this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other cases before the International Crimes Tribunal—one over enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power and another over the 2013 killings at Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar. Read more: Tension rises in Dhaka ahead of planned ‘lockdown’ amid fears of violence

Police have arrested seven people, including two members of the Dhaka District Detective Branch (DB) and three members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), for their alleged involvement in looting Tk 65 lakh from a gold trader in Sreenagar upazila of Munshiganj while posing as DB officers. The arrested DB members are Helal Uddin and Shariat Ullah Shawon, while the RAB personnel are Farid, Mizan, and Mukidul, all serving under RAB-10 CPC-2.  All five have been suspended from service, police said. The two others held are microbus driver Kabir Hossain and Rabiul, a friend of DB member Shawon. Police also seized the microbus used in the robbery, confirmed Munshiganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar on Wednesday. Among the three detained RAB members, Farid and Mizan, who are members of the army, have been handed over to military authorities, police sources said. According to Sreenagar Police Station sources, on the morning of November 7, the suspects identifying themselves as DB personnel intercepted gold trader Akash Asim near Tin Dokan Bazar in Ranikhali Union and looted Tk 65 lakh and a mobile phone. Following the incident, a case was filed at Sreenagar Police Station, with Sub-Inspector Moazzem Hossain assigned to investigate. The Munshiganj District DB police also launched a parallel probe, reviewing more than 50 CCTV footage clips from the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway to trace the vehicle used in the crime. After identifying the microbus, police conducted a raid in Savar and arrested the driver, Kabir Hossain. Based on his information, the two DB and three RAB members, along with Shawon’s friend Rabiul, were subsequently detained. Sreenagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Nazmul Huda said police personnel Helal Uddin, Shariat Ullah Shawon, Mukidul, driver Kabir Hossain, and Rabiul are currently on remand in connection with the dacoity case. Dhaka District North DB Officer-in-Charge Jalal Uddin confirmed the arrests, saying, “Preliminary evidence indicates their involvement, and legal action has been taken accordingly.” A leader of the Savar Microbus Owners’ Association, seeking anonymity, alleged that some DB personnel had long been forcibly renting vehicles for criminal activities and had previously used such tactics in similar robberies. A senior Munshiganj police officer said that through extensive technological analysis, investigators identified the group, adding that the involvement of law enforcement members has embarrassed the police administration.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered six petrol bombs and four crude bombs (cocktails) from the Rayerbazar Intellectuals’ Graveyard area under Mohammadpur Police Station on Wednesday evening. The explosives were found abandoned during a special drive conducted by the Crime Prevention Special Company (CPSC) around 6:00 pm, said RAB-2 Media Officer Additional Superintendent of Police Md Shamsul Islam. Burglars in RAB uniform loot around Tk 8 lakh from Islami Bank staff in Feni Law enforcers suspect that miscreants had stockpiled the bombs to carry out acts of sabotage centering the ‘Lockdown’ announced by the Awami League and its affiliated organisations for Thursday (November 13). The Bomb Disposal Unit of RAB Headquarters is handling the disposal of the recovered explosives, the official added.  

Police on Wednesday afternoon detained three activists of the Awami League and its affiliated bodies and recovered a large cache of equipment for making petrol bombs from a house in Faridpur. The detainees were identified as Md. Hossain Raj, Ahamudul Rashid Rakib and Jewel Rana, a press release signed by the Faridpur Police Super said. The release accused the party and its affiliates of attempting to create chaos, carry out destructive activities and spread sabotage via social media. According to police, the suspects had stored the materials in the abandoned house of one Titu Sardar in Brahmanpara, Azim Nagar Union under Bhanga Police Station. Acting on information, police raided the house and made the arrests. Items recovered include 19 handmade petrol bombs, multiple empty glass bottles (250 ml and 200 ml brands), 18 rolls of colored tape, 12 tin cans of Jorda, 235 matchboxes, various strings/lights, sheets and fragments of gunpowder, 60 g matchbox gunpowder, 1 kg white stone powder, 2 litres of petrol, a knife and other components used in bomb-making.

Twenty-one of the 22 High Court judges appointed as permanent judges of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court took their oath on Wednesday. Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed administered the oath at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge at noon. Justice Syed Enayet Hossain, who is currently hospitalised, will take the oath later. On Tuesday, President Md Sahabuddin appointed 22 additional High Court judges as permanent judges, according to a notification issued by the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law. They are Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, Syed Enayet Hossain, Md Monsur Alam, Syed Zahed Monsur, K M Rasheduzzaman Raja, Md Javed Hossain, Mubina Asaf, Kazi Waliul Islam, Ainun Nahar Siddika, Md Abdul Mannan, Tamanna Rahman, Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud, Md Hamidur Rahman, Nasrin Akter, Sathika Hossain, Syed Mohammad Tajrul Hossain, Md Taufiq Inam, Yusuf Abdullah Sumon, Sheikh Tahsin Ali, Foyez Ahmed, Md Sagir Hossain, and Shikdar Mahmudur Razi. On October 9, 2024, 23 judges were appointed as additional judges. Among them, Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury was not given a permanent appointment as he has not yet reached the age of 45 and continues to serve as an additional judge.