United News of Bangladesh

Detectives have detained three suspects with a huge quantity of materials used in making arms after busting a den (in disguise of factory) in Khulna city. The discovery was made at 7:30pm on Saturday in a lane beside HRC Bhaban in the Joragate area of the city. Those detained are Nazrul, owner of Doha Iron Founder factory, and his employees Shahidul and Akbar Ali. Member of Detective Branch recovered 30 to 35 firearms-making tools, including molds, lead, triggers, and trigger guards, from the den, with locals expressing concern over the matter. Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Mohammad Tajul Islam said a DB team launched the operation after being tipped-off the factory. The DB recovered various firearm components and molds used to manufacture weapons, he said. Officer-in-Charge of Khulna Metropolitan DB Taimur Islam said various parts of firearms, including triggers and trigger guards, were being produced in the factory. Nearly 30 to 35 firearms-making tools were recovered and further operations are ongoing, he added.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has imposed maximum alert along all borders of Chuadanga and Meherpur districts following the attempted assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8. Security has been stepped up to prevent the attackers from fleeing the country via the Indian border, with intensified patrolling and searches across all border points. Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Hasan, Director of the 6th Battalion (Chuadanga BGB), confirmed that strict security measures have been implemented along the Chuadanga–Meherpur border under the battalion’s jurisdiction. Patrols have been increased at sensitive and strategic locations, and suspected individuals and vehicles are being thoroughly searched. Additional BGB personnel have been deployed, and both day and night operations are ongoing to ensure that the assailants cannot escape the country. Local residents in border areas have been urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity immediately to law enforcement, avoid unnecessary movement near the border, and follow all security guidelines. Hadi was shot on Friday, Dec 12, around 2:15 pm in front of the water tank in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. He was admitted to the hospital, where a medical board stated he is currently under conservative management. Meanwhile, the government has announced a reward of 5 million taka for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the attack. The announcement was made on Saturday, Dec 13, by Senior Secretary and Law Enforcement Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury after a core committee meeting on law and order at the Secretariat. The advisor urged citizens to assist authorities in apprehending the suspects and expressed optimism that the perpetrators would be caught quickly with public cooperation. He also called upon the nation to pray for Sharif Osman Hadi’s speedy recovery.

There was a burglary on Friday night at the village home of Sharif Osman Hadi, a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha who rose to prominence during the July 2024 Uprising against the Awami League regime, in Nalchiti, Jhalokathi. The incident took place Friday night in the Khasmahal area of the town, confirmed by Hadi’s cousin, Sirajul Islam. He said that taking advantage of the house being empty, intruders broke a window to enter. The total value of the stolen items is yet to be determined. Nalchiti police officer-in-charge Ariful Alam confirmed the incident, stating, “We have visited the scene, and those responsible will be brought under the law swiftly.” Earlier on Friday, around 2:15 pm, Osman Hadi was shot by assailants while traveling in a rickshaw in front of the water tank in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. Two individuals on a motorcycle fired at him from close range before fleeing the scene. Hadi was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to Evercare Hospital in the capital, where he is currently receiving intensive care (ICU) treatment. Hadi’s family members, upon learning of the attack, left for Dhaka on the same afternoon.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to immediately launch “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2” across the country to prevent subversive activities using illegal arms and to suppress ‘fascist terrorists’ ahead of the February national election. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury disclosed the decision while briefing journalists after a core committee meeting on law and order at the secretariat on Saturday (December 13, 2025). He said the law enforcement agencies are already conducting nationwide drives to recover looted and illegal firearms. Read more: 2 arrested with large cache of spying devices at Dhaka airport The adviser said the meeting in addition to routine law and order issues specifically reviewed overall security preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election, security arrangements for frontline fighters of the July movement including Osman Hadi, and progress in the recovery of looted illegal weapons. Jahangir Alam said law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest those involved in the the attack without delay. “We hope to bring the perpetrators to justice within a very short time. No one involved in this attack will be spared,” he said expressing confidence that the people would fully cooperate with the investigation. The adviser said the attack on Osman Hadi is being viewed as an attempt to obstruct the upcoming election. He added that the interim government would take a firm stance against any attempt to disrupt or sabotage the election process. The adviser also said the interim government remains firmly committed to ensuring the security of frontline fighters of the July uprising. Read more: DMP intensifies drive to arrest attackers of Hadi

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has launched an extensive drive to arrest the assailants who shot Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi in the capital’s Bijoynagar area on Friday afternoon. According to police, a group of motorcycle-borne attackers opened fire on Hadi around 2:25pm in the Box Culvert road area of Bijoynagar and fled the scene immediately.  He was critically injured and was undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Later, he was shifted to another hospital for better treatment. DMP condemned the attack as “heinous and cowardly” and said police visited the spot soon after the incident, collected CCTV footage from the area and are analysing it to identify and arrest those involved, said DMP's DC media Talebur Rahman on Friday evening. Alongside the local police station, detectives are conducting searches at suspected locations and among possible suspects. DMP expressed confidence that, as in other recent high-profile cases, the perpetrators would be arrested soon, he said. Hadi shifted to Evercare Hospital after surgery, no bullet found in head The city police urged residents not to panic and requested anyone with information related to the attack to contact the nearest police station or dial 999. DMP said it remains committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of city dwellers ahead of the upcoming national election.  

The Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Members on Friday arrested two individuals along with a large number of electronic spying equipment allegedly used for recruitment and admission test fraud from the outer area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A case has been filed against them under the Special Powers Act, 1974 (Sections 25B(1)(B)/25D) at the Airport Police Station, police said. The detainees were identified as Shaharun Ali (38) and Md Iqbal Hossain Jibon (35). According to APBn, acting on a tip-off, a team detained the duo and recovered 76 digital spy devices, 50 earpieces, three laptops, and six mobile phones from their possession. During primary interrogation, Shaharun admitted that he brought the devices from China, posing as a regular passenger, and was preparing to leave the airport together with Iqbal, who was waiting outside as part of the racket. Investigators said the seized devices are commonly used for sophisticated cheating in recruitment and admission tests. The credit-card–shaped devices, tiny invisible earpieces, and transparent extraction threads help fraud syndicates communicate answers to candidates inside exam halls. The main device automatically receives incoming calls when connected to a SIM card and kept on the body, while the micro earpiece inserted deep inside the ear allows covert communication. After the test, candidates extract the earpiece using the transparent thread. APBn Operational Commander, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mozammel Haque, said, “These devices are banned items and have previously been used for fraud in various exams. We are conducting regular operations to curb such illegal activities.”

Police have arrested a man in connection with the killing of a freedom fighter and his wife at their home in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur district. The 22-year-old accused Morsalin was arrested from Shermosto Balapara area of Alampur union around 1:45 am on Friday, Ruhul Amin, officer-in-charge (OC- investigation) of Taraganj Police Station. During the preliminary interrogation, the arrestee confessed to his involvement in the murder and provided important information, the OC claimed. However, the details are being withheld for the sake of the investigation. Abu Saiyum Talukder, investigation officer of the case, said Morsalin worked of setting up tiles at the couple’s house two days back the incident. “A drive will be conducted on Friday afternoon to recover the weapon used in the murder upon information gleaned from the arrestee,” he added. Earlier on Sunday, police recovered the bodies of freedom fighter Jogesh Chandra Roy, 75, a retired headmaster of a government primary school, and his wife Suborna Roy, 60, from their home in Khiarpara village of Kursha union. According to police, the couple was murdered around 1 am inside their residence. Following this, the victims’ eldest son, Shoven Chandra Roy, filed a murder case with the police station accusing some unidentified people. Morsalin was later shown arrested in the case.

Thirty-three people were arrested during a weeklong drive by the joint forces, including Bangladesh Army from Dhaka and parts of the country on various charges. According to a Facebook post shared by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on its verified page on Friday, the operations were carried out between December 4 and 11 by different infantry divisions and independent brigades of the army, in coordination with police and other agencies.  During the drives, the law enforcers recovered 10 illegal firearms, 12 rounds of ammunition, 12 crude bombs (cocktails), various types of narcotics, and both local and foreign sharp weapons. The detainees have been handed over to local police stations for further action. Such drives by the Bangladesh Army will continue across the country to ensure public safety, according the ISPR. In addition to ensuring law and order, the army is assisting authorities in maintaining stability in industrial areas amid labour unrest. The army urged the public to report to the nearest army camp if any suspicious activity is noticed.

The High Court on Thursday dismissed a rule challenging the legality of the rule that parties forming an alliance cannot share the electoral symbol in the upcoming national elections. The HC bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar handed down the judgement. As a result, all parties will have to contest elections under their own symbols, even if they form alliances, experts said. The writ petitioners, including Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Rashna Imam, Barrister Reshad Imam, and Barrister Shahedul Azam, had challenged the provision. Meanwhile, Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa, Advocate Ajmal Hossain, and Advocate Nazmus Shakib represented the NCP in opposition to the writ. Advocate Yarul Islam appeared on behalf of the Bangladesh Congress. Earlier, on December 1, the High Court issued the rule questioning why the Representation of the People Order (RPO) amendment, which mandates voting under respective party symbols even in alliances, should not be declared illegal. The Election Commission was asked to respond within ten days, and the final hearing was held on Thursday. The RPO amendment ordinance, issued by the government on November 3, stipulates that if multiple parties contest in an alliance, candidates must use their own party symbols. Previously, a candidate from a smaller party in an alliance could adopt the symbol of a larger allied party. The provision faced objections from the BNP and some smaller parties, while Jamaat-e-Islami had also expressed concerns about the government’s initial approach. The writ, filed on November 27 by Mominul Amin, Secretary General of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by Bobby Hajjaj, sought the cancellation of the provision. The Chief Election Commissioner and other relevant authorities were made respondents in the writ.

The High Court on Thursday ordered that all marriage and divorce records in Bangladesh be compulsorily registered through a digital system. The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan passed the order after hearing a writ petition. Advocate Ishrat Hasan stood for the petitioner. The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan passed the order after hearing a writ petition. Advocate Ishrat Hasan stood for the petitioner. Ishrat Hasan said the decision would be a historic step for protecting families, safeguarding women, preventing child marriage, ensuring legal transparency and most importantly, curbing fraud related to marriage and divorce. She added that digital registration would significantly reduce issues such as secret marriages, hiding multiple marriages, concealing prior information and difficulties in proving divorces. The writ petition was filed on March 4, 2021, by three people including Rakib Hasan, former husband of cricketer Nasir’s wife Tamima Sultana and one organization seeking directives to implement digital registration of marriages and divorces. Other petitioners included Sohag Hossain from North Kamalapur, Dhaka, Kamrul Hasan from Kashipur, Noakhali, and the Aid for Man Foundation. The petition highlighted that the lack of technology-driven registration had led to fraudulent practices, with spouses sometimes concealing marriage information and entering into multiple marriages. The absence of a digital archive often caused uncertainty and disputes over children’s paternity, making digital registration essential to prevent fraud and uphold family honor. On March 23, 2021, the High Court issued a rule asking why a central website should not be created for the digital registration of marriages and divorces. Secretaries of the Law Ministry, Post, Telecommunications and ICT Ministry, Religious Affairs Ministry, and the BTRC chairman were directed to respond to the rule. The final hearing was held on November 20.