United News of Bangladesh

In a strange yet cunning new twist to street crime, a gang locally known as the ‘Salam Party’ has been carrying out a series of mugging around the Rajarbagh Police Lines area—right under the nose of law enforcement agencies. Their technique is as deceptive as it is simple. One member of the gang first greets a target—usually someone walking on the footpath or traveling in a rickshaw—with a friendly ‘Salam’. When the unsuspecting victim looks their way, the stranger smiles and says, “Bhai, you don’t recognise me? I’m [so-and-so]!” That is when things take a dangerous turn. On Sunday around noon, the gang struck again. Ridwan, a private service holder, was traveling from Fakirerpool toward Malibagh crossing via Shahjahanpur Crossing by a rickshaw. As he passed the Police Liberation War Museum adjacent to Rajarbagh Police Lines, a man on the footpath greeted him warmly. Confused but polite, Ridwan looked over—only to find himself surrounded moments later. Before he could react, the gang signaled the rickshaw to stop and threatened him at gunpoint. They snatched Tk 15,000 from his pocket and went on to rob a few other pedestrians nearby. Witnesses said about four to five men were involved in the swift and coordinated mugging before fleeing the scene effortlessly. Ridwan later called the national emergency helpline 999 to report the incident. The police assured him that a patrol team would arrive at the spot. Locals say such ‘Salam Party’ incidents have become alarmingly frequent outside the boundary wall of the Rajarbagh Police Lines, particularly besides the wall of the Liberation War Museum area. Residents have urged authorities to increase vigilance and night patrols to curb the rising menace of this deceptive greeting gang.

The Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Financial Crime Unit has obtained approval to submit charge sheets in 17 cases against Beximco Group Vice Chairman Salman F Rahman and others for allegedly laundering around Tk 1,200 crore abroad under the guise of foreign trade. During the investigation, CID found that Beximco Group Chairman ASF Rahman, Vice Chairman Salman F Rahman, and several associates were involved in laundering the money between 2020 and 2024 through 17 companies linked to the group, special police super of the CID (media) Jasim Uddin Khan said on Sunday. The companies include Adventure Garments, Apollo Apparels, Autumn Loop Apparels, Bextex Garments, Cosmopolitan Apparels, Cozy Apparels, Esses Fashion, International Knitwear and Apparels, Kanchpur Apparels, Midwest Garments, Peerless Garments, Pink Maker Garments, Platinum Garments, Skynet Apparels, Springful Apparels, Urban Fashions and Winter Sprint Garments Limited. CID said these firms arranged letters of credit (LCs) and sales agreements through Janata Bank PLC’s Motijheel branch for export purposes. However, the foreign currency earned from those exports was never brought back to Bangladesh. Instead, the export proceeds were reportedly transferred through RR Global Trading, a Dubai-based company owned by Ahmed Shayan Fazlur Rahman, son of Salman F Rahman, and Ahmed Shahriar Rahman, son of ASF Rahman. From there, the money was moved to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UK, the USA, Ireland and other countries, the CID official said. A total of 17 money laundering cases were filed with Motijheel Police Station on September 17 and 18, 2024, following the investigation. The court has already ordered the attachment of several assets belonging to the accused, including 2,000 decimals of land with structures in Dohar, a 6,189 sq ft flat in ‘The Envoy’ building in Gulshan, and a 2,713 sq ft triplex flat on Plot 31, Road 68/A, Gulshan. Authorities have also frozen multiple bank accounts and imposed travel bans on the accused. The estimated value of the seized assets is around Tk 600–700 crore, according to the CID. Among the accused, Salman F Rahman, who is currently in jail, has been shown arrested in these cases. Wasiur Rahman, managing director and shareholder of Autumn Loop Apparels Ltd, was arrested by the CID in July 2025. The CID said it is continuing its efforts to bring those involved in state-related money laundering under the law and to safeguard the country’s financial interests.

The High Court on Sunday granted bail to former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Selina Hayat Ivy in five separate cases including a murder case. The HC bench of Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice Md Sagir Hossain passed the order after hearing five separate petitions. Barrister Sara Hossain and Advocate SM Hridoy Rahman stood for Ivy and Deputy Attorney General Sultana Akter Rubi represented the state. Advocate SM Hridoy Rahman said to his knowledge, there is no legal bar to release his client from prison as she secured bail from all five cases. On July 20 last year, Minarul Islam, a garment worker, was shot dead during the July movement in Adamzi area of Narayanganj district. Nazmul Haque, brother of Minarul, filed a case against 132 people including Ivy with Siddhirganj Police Station on September 23, 2024. Police arrested Ivy from her residence on May 9, 2025 in connection with the murder of Minarul Islam. Ivy is wanted in six cases filed with Siddhirganj and Fatullah Police Stations.

Police have detained a college student in Habiganj on charges of posting content on Facebook that allegedly hurt religious sentiments. The detainee Fabiha Begum, 19, was picked up from her home in Kutirgaon village under Chunarughat upazila on Saturday afternoon. She is the daughter of Jewel Mia and a class XII student of Zahur Chan College. Dilip Kant Nath, officer-in-charge (OC) of Shayestaganj Police Station, said Fabiha made objectionable comments about the Prophet (PBUH) from a Facebook account named “Sara Suzon,” which was operated by her. Tension spread in the area after the post circulated on social media. Fabiha was taken into custody and kept at Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station, the OC said. Preparations are underway to file a case in this connection, he added.

Law enforcement agencies are investigating the crude bomb blasts in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in the capital’s Kakrail area, said DMP's DC (Media)Talebur Rahman on Saturday. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas to trace the perpetrators, he said. A bomb disposal team and forensic unit from the DMP have also collected evidence from the scene for further examination, Talebur added. Two crude bombs were hurled apparently targeting the church  at around 10:20 pm on Friday night. Five BNP men wounded in Raozan gun attack One of them exploded near the steel gate, while another remained unexploded inside and was later recovered and defused by police. “The attack appeared to be aimed at the church. We found evidence of two cocktails—one exploded, and another was safely neutralised,” Mazharul Islam, Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), told reporters after the incident on Friday night.  “We are closely investigating the motive and identifying those responsible,” he added. The blast triggered fear among church visitors and nearby residents.  Police have intensified patrols in the area after the incident.      

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) firmly refutes all ‘unfounded allegations’ and ‘misinformation’spread by Arakan Army (AA) and United League of Arakan (ULA), regarding BGB's border operations and allegation of  supporting ARSA/RSO etc. In a statement on Friday, the paramilitary force headquarters said, contrary to the false claims made by AA and ULA, BGB upholds the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in border security. The incident on November 5  in Palongkhali area, near BRM 19, within Bangladesh’s territory, clearly demonstrates BGB’s commitment to peace and border protection. “During this event, three armed AA members, armed with automatic weapons, deliberately crossed the zero line and fired three shots, aiming at BGB personnel/post without any provocation. One of the bullets from AA even hit our border post signalling their hostile intentions along the border, which is a clear indication of provocation,” it said. “Nonetheless, our troops exercised restraint and BGB personnel responded with warning shots, resulting in no casualties or injuries. It may be worth mentioning that previously bullets from AA members have hit civilian houses, shops at the border areas, even injuring civilians occasionally; Mines of AA have killed civilians and one BGB soldier in the past.” It is important to highlight that AA and ULA continue to spread false narratives claiming that BGB supports RSO/ARSA or Rohingya armed groups—entirely baseless allegations., said the statement. These fabrications are part of a deliberate effort to tarnish BGB’s reputation, especially as its vigilant border patrols have effectively stopped the smuggling of goods and narcotics, particularly Yaba, from Rakhine across the border. This activity significantly disrupts and threatens the agendas of AA. As AA struggles to obtain smuggled goods and secure logistics at the border due to BGB’s vigilance, they are presumably spreading false narratives to defame BGB, and eventually Bangladesh, it added. Furthermore, the influx of narcotics from Rakhine border areas, especially illegal Yaba trafficking, has been considerably curbed due to the BGB’s proactive measures. These efforts, aimed at ensuring national security and public safety, are persistently undermined by propaganda campaigns initiated by AA and ULA. “We also observe a pattern in which each BGB response or clarification is met with a second round of misinformation and false narratives aimed at eroding our credibility; this will not be surprising at all if this very rejoinder of BGB is again responded through another round of propaganda. Despite these ongoing challenges, BGB remains resolute and dedicated to its vital duty of maintaining a peaceful, secure, and inviolable border environment. “ BGB categorically states that it PROVIDES NO SUPPORT whatsoever to Rakhine-based or any Rohingya armed groups, including RSO/ARSA or others. “Our primary concern is safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our nation.” BGB denounces rumour of Indian encroachment in Lalmonirhat “We urge AA and ULA to cease all  propaganda aimed at damaging BGB’s reputation. Propaganda and baseless allegations neither fetch legitimacy nor foster peace; instead, they hinder efforts to build trust and stability along the border. BGB remains committed to its constitutional duties and calls on all parties to act responsibly and veraciously in their public statements,” it added. BGN reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the dignity and security of our borders and promise to counter any false narratives with factual and transparent information. It also expressed disappointment with the behaviour of AA/ULA, which is regrettable, entangles acts of provocation and deliberate attempts to escalate tension in the border.    

A traffic sergeant of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been closed and attached to the DMP Headquarters due to ‘administrative reason’. A video of Sergeant Md Ariful Islam, who was posted under the Traffic Mirpur Division (Mirpur Zone), went viral showing him bowing and touching the feet of a BNP leader while on duty in uniform on Friday. He was closed and attached to the DMP Headquarters, according to an office order signed by Deputy Commissioner (Traffic-Mirpur) Gautam Kumar Biswas on Friday evening. According to the order, Sergeant Ariful has been attached to the DMP Headquarters for ‘administrative reasons’ with immediate effect, following approval from the higher authorities. Police sources said the incident took place around noon in Mirpur while the sergeant was performing his regular traffic duties. The video of the incident spread rapidly on social media, drawing widespread discussion and criticism. Earlier, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali instructed all members of the force to maintain strict political neutrality ahead of the upcoming national elections. He emphasised that no police officer should display favoritism toward any political party or individual and urged personnel to handle political activities and gatherings with professionalism and caution to avoid any misunderstanding with the public.

Bangladesh Army has warned that legal action would be taken against those spreading false or misleading information about the arrests of seven people, including a former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur district, on social media. At a press briefing on Friday morning at the temporary army camp of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Lt Col Lutfor Rahman, commander of the 14 Field Regiment Artillery, said they were arrested based on specific intelligence reports. On Wednesday night, the joint force arrested people, including Enamul Haque Mollah-former upazila-level leader of the JCD, during a special raid in Barkul village and adjacent areas. The forces also recovered two foreign pistols, three magazines, four rounds of ammunition, four walkie-talkies, four batons, two electric shock devices, a hammer nail gun, and a sharp knife during the operation. Arrestee Enamul is a criminal, robbery ringleader and wanted fugitive in several cases, he said.  The army official said the relatives and associates of the arrestees are attempting to spread false and misleading information on social media with the dishonest intention of diverting this incident. Action will be taken against those engaging in such malicious activities, he said.  

At least 15 shops were gutted in a fire that broke out early Friday at Alexander Bazar in Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur. The fire started around 3 am, said Khokon Majumdar, station officer of Ramgati Fire Service. According to locals, the blaze originated from an electrical short circuit at Rasel’s grocery shop and quickly spread to adjacent shops. On information, two units of the fire service rushed to the spot and, with the help of locals, managed to bring the fire under control after about two hours of frantic effort. Shop owners estimated that the loss caused by the fire amounted to around Tk 50 lakh.

Police have arrested four people in connection with the murder of a BNP activist in Chattogram’s Raozan upazila last month. The arrestees are Abdullah Khokon alias Langra Khokon, Md. Maruf, Saqlain Hossain, and Ziaur Rahman. Among them, Saqlain Hossain has been shown arrested in a separate case filed under the Arms Control Act. Chattogram District Police Superintendent Md. Saiful Islam Santu told the media on Thursday that the murder was planned to gain control over sand mining along the Karnaphuli River and to establish local dominance over the Balumohal (sand mining area). “So far, four people, including the mastermind behind the killing, have been arrested,” the SP added. According to police, on October 7, businessman and BNP activist Abdul Hakim Chowdhury went to Bagowan in Raozan to visit Hamim Agro Farm in his private car. In the afternoon, while returning to Chattogram city, unidentified assailants on a motorcycle intercepted his car near the west side of Madunaghat Bridge and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving him critically injured. Hakim later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Soon after the incident, the Chattogram District Detective Branch (DB) and Hathazari Police Station visited the scene, collected preliminary information, and launched an investigation. As part of the investigation, Abdullah Khokon was arrested from Garib Ullah Para in Bagowan Union under Raozan Police Station on October 31. During primary interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the murder and later gave a confessional statement under Section 164 before a court. Based on information provided by Khokon, police arrested Maruf, another suspect, from the Chowdhuryhat area of Noapara Union under Raozan Police Station on November 2. During questioning, Maruf revealed the location of the murder weapon, which was in the possession of his associate Md. Saqlain Hossain. Following this lead, a special team from Hathazari Police Station conducted a raid on the night of November 4 and arrested Saqlain Hossain. Police recovered a domestically made single-barrel gun, an LG, and the motorcycle used in the killing from his possession. In a subsequent raid, police also arrested Ziaur Rahman, a neighbour of the deceased Abdul Hakim Chowdhury, from Panchkhain area of Bagowan Union. SP Saiful Islam Santu said that names of 10 to 12 more individuals have been identified during the investigation, and efforts are underway to arrest them. The deceased, Abdul Hakim Chowdhury, was the son of late Ali Madan Chowdhury of Panchkhain area in Bagowan Union, Raozan Upazila. He was known to be a follower of BNP central leader and former lawmaker Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury.