United News of Bangladesh

A portion of the embankment in Anulia union of Ashashuni upazila, Satkhira, collapsed on the morning of March 31, causing approximately 150 feet of land to be washed away into the Khulpetua River. Although local residents attempted to construct a temporary ring embankment through voluntary efforts, the rising tidal pressure rendered their efforts unsuccessful, according to an ISPR press release. Subsequently, on April 1, the Deputy Commissioner of Satkhira, the Camp Commander of the Ashashuni Army Camp under the 55th Infantry Division, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, and representatives from the Water Development Board visited the affected area to assess the situation and initiate urgent measures. Bangladesh sends fire service rescue team to Myanmar The release stated that currently, two patrol teams from the Ashashuni Army Camp are stationed in the area, providing full-scale assistance to local residents and the administration in repairing the embankment. Additionally, an engineering battalion team from the 55th Infantry Division has been deployed to aid in the restoration efforts, the release added.

Members of Bangladesh Army arrested 280 accused, including the listed ones, from several parts of the country after conducting drives from March 20 to 26. A media release sent from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said this on Friday. The arrestees include extortionists, fugitives, robbers, kidnappers, producers of adulterated food, members of teen gangs, accused in the July murder cases, and drug traffickers. The seizures include 10 illegal firearms, 143 rounds of various types of ammunition, improvised explosive devices (cocktail bombs), locally and foreign-made weapons, drugs and narcotics, stolen passports, mobile phones, tablets, and SIM cards, gold jewelry, according to the ISPR. 3 cops detained over abduction of 2 businessmen in Shariatpur Vehicles used for criminal operations, including trawlers, motorcycles, trucks, dredgers, excavators, and dumpers were seized. Moreover, a large amount of money in cash was recovered. The arrestees were handed over to the respective police stations for further investigation and legal proceedings. Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the army personnel are conducting operations to ensure smooth traffic movement in the country. People have been urged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest army camp to maintain law and order.

Bangladesh Army has strongly refuted a report published by India Today over an "emergency meeting" of army over a possible coup against Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus calling it "false and fabricated." It has come to the attention of the Bangladesh Army that India Today has once again published a report based on false and fabricated information regarding a routine meeting held by the Bangladesh Army, said a statement of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate on Tuesday. The article titled "Bangladesh Army Holds Emergency Meeting Amid Possibility of Coup Against Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus," published on March 25 is a glaring example of journalistic malpractice and the decline of a once-reputed news outlet into a purveyor of disinformation, it said. The report, which lacks credible sources or any verifiable evidence, seems to be yet another attempt to spread baseless rumours about the Bangladesh Army, it added. “The information presented in the article is entirely unfounded, and the claims of an "impending coup" are entirely deceitful. It is deeply troubling that India Today continues to publish sensationalist narratives without due diligence or a responsible commitment to journalistic integrity, said the ISPR. Tarique warns of conspiracy to pit army against people Claiming India Today’s repeated efforts to spread false information, the statement said, “This is not the first time India Today has resorted to spreading false information about the Bangladesh Army. A similar pattern of misleading and factually incorrect story was exposed and debunked in a rejoinder we issued on March 11.” The fact that such false narratives continue to be propagated is a concerning reflection of the editorial practices at India Today, which appear to have shifted from reporting facts to generating sensationalism at the cost of truth, the statement said. The statement also mentioned that the Bangladesh Army remains steadfast in its commitment to the service of the nation and will continue to uphold the principles of democracy and peace. “We call on all media outlets, including India Today, to engage in responsible journalism and refrain from publishing unfounded and harmful claims that only serve to create unnecessary divisions and mistrust between people of these two great nations,” it added.

The 8-year-old rape victim from Magura, who was battling for her life, passed away at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on Thursday. Amid public uproar over the horrific rape incident and countryside protests seeking justice the little girl’s 7-day battle for life ended around 1 pm. She breathed her last around 1 pm despite receiving advanced medical care and the relentless efforts of expert doctors at CMH, the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said in a press release. The statement said that the child suffered three cardiac arrests in the morning. “While medical teams managed to revive her twice, the third proved fatal,” it said. The critically injured girl had been admitted to the CMH on March 8 for emergency treatment. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus expressed profound shock at the death of the girl and ordered bringing the accused to book through speedy trial. CA condoles death of Magura rape victim; orders speedy trial Expressing its deepest condolences to her bereaved family, the Bangladesh Army pledged to support them in anyway necessary, and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. The incident occurred on March 5 night when the victim visited her sister’s in-laws’ house at Nijnanduali village in Magura’s Sadar upazila. She went to bed with her sister at night, but at the dead of night, her sister found her missing and began searching for her. After a frantic search, the girl was found unconscious a few yards away from the house. She was initially admitted to Magura General Hospital and later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital as her condition deteriorated. On Thursday, she was moved to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) before being shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. The rape of the girl sparked protests across the country. University students, including that of Dhaka University, staged demonstrations on their respective campuses, demanding the death penalty of the accused. Meanwhile, police arrested four people -- victim's brother-in-law Sojib Sheikh, 20, his brother Ratul Sheikh, 25, and their parents, i.e. her sister's parents-in-law, Hitu Sheikh, 50,and Jabeda Begum, 40, -- in connection with the rape on March 8(Sunday). 3 get life in prison for gang rape of a teenage girl in Kamrangirchar On Monday midnight, a Magura court placed the main accused on a seven-day remand and three others on a five-day remand each. The High Court (HC) on Sunday ordered the lower court to complete the trial of the case within six months. The HC also ordered the completion of investigation into the case within 30 days, and submit a report in this regard accordingly.   

The Bangladesh Army has said that it did not have any direct communication or request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the comments made by UN High Commissioner Volker Turk in his interview with BBC HARDtalk, according to the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR). In a press release issued on Monday, ISPR said Bangladesh Army finds it necessary to clarify certain aspects of Turk’s statement to ensure accuracy and transparency. In an interview with the BBC programme HardTalk on Wednesday, Volker Türk said the Bangladesh army was warned about possible removal from peacekeeping operations for engaging in any repression during the July-August Uprising. “The remark by Volker Turk taken out of context by certain quarters, it appears to misrepresent the role of the Bangladesh Army and potentially undermines its reputation, sacrifice and professionalism,” said the ISPR release. “If any such concerns were raised, they were conveyed to the then government of Bangladesh and not directly to the Army leadership,” it said.  The Bangladesh Army operates within the framework of national security directives and adheres strictly to the rule of law and human rights principles, it added. It said Bangladesh Army remains committed to people, upholding its legacy of neutrality and integrity. “Historical events such as the democratic transition of 1991 reaffirm this dedication. During the July-August 2024 protests, the Army once again stood by people, ensuring public safety without bias or external influence.” Army Camp Commander withdrawn over Touhidur’s death: ISPR As the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, Bangladesh is globally recognised for its professionalism and dedication, it added. ISPR said peacekeepers receive a tiny portion of foreign earnings, the majority-around Tk 27,000 crore over 23 years-has significantly contributed to national economic growth.  The Bangladesh Army deeply values its partnership with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and remains steadfast in its commitment to serving both the people of Bangladesh and the global community, it said. Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Congo are safe: ISPR “Any concerns regarding its role can be best addressed through open dialogue and constructive engagement,” the release added.  

The joint forces detained 20 people and recovered some 150 sharp weapons during a raid in a remote char of Raipura upazila in Narsingdi on Monday. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release on Tuesday, the operation was conducted by a joint team comprising the Army, Air Force, Rapid Action Battalion, police and local administration, following a tip-off about the presence of miscreants in the area. 2 bodies recovered from rooftop of a Mohammadpur house: ISPR During the drive, 20 listed criminals or suspects were apprehended, while three mobile phones and around 150 weapons were seized, the release added. It said that operations against terrorists will continue nationwide, urging people to report any suspicious activities to the nearest army camp.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman inaugurated the "Sinha Memorial Plaque" on Thursday at Shamlapur at Baharchhara Union in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The memorial was constructed under the overall supervision of the BGB Cox’s Bazar Region in honour of Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. During the inauguration ceremony, the army chief expressed deep condolences to Major Sinha’s bereaved family. He also reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring the swift trial of those responsible for his (Sinha’s) killing, in accordance with the law, it said. On the midnight of July 31 July 2020, Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, PSC was fatally shot by police at a checkpoint in Shamlapur, Baharchhara Union of Teknaf. Born on July 26, 1984 in a distinguished Muslim family in Faridganj Upazila, Chandpur district, Major Sinha was the son of Bir Muktijoddha Mohammad Ershad Khan, a former Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the release said. Maj Sinha joined the Bangladesh Army on July 21, 2003 as part of the 51st BMA Long Course and was commissioned on December 22, 2004. Throughout his military career, he was known for his skill, intelligence, innovation, and bravery. An expert bayonet fighter, he also served in the Special Security Force (SSF) and participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast in 2013, the release added. Major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhajul Alam,10 Infantry Division and Area Commander, Cox’s Bazar Area; Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General, Border Guard Bangladesh; Major Sinha’s mother and sister; along with senior officials from the Army, BGB, Police, and RAB, as well as local dignitaries, were present at the time.

A man was killed and over 50  people were injured during an “attack  by miscreants” at Samity Para near the Bangladesh Air Force base in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. The deceased was identified as Shihab Kabir Nahid, 30, son of former Primary Teachers' Training Institute (PTI) superintendent Nasir Uddin, 30, said Ahsan Habib Polash, deputy inspector general of the Chattogram Range of the police.   According to the Inter Services Public Relations, some miscreants launched a ‘surprise’ attack on the Air Force Base on Monday. The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary steps in this regard, the ISPR release added. Miscreants attack Air Force base in  Cox’s Bazar: ISPR Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said a man with bullet injuries was admitted to Sadar Hospital who was declared dead by doctors. Besides, five others are undergoing treatment at the same hospital. “A thorough investigation is underway, and discussions will be held with both parties to determine the cause of the incident," he added. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital superintendent Dr Mong Ting also confirmed the death. Locals alleged that tensions escalated following a dispute over land acquisition for the expansion of Cox’s Bazar airport. Akhter Kamal, a resident of Samity Para area, said a meeting was scheduled between BAF members and representatives of local people at the deputy commissioner’s office to discuss the relocation of affected residents. Around noon, when some locals, including one Md Jahid, were going to attend the meeting, BAF personnel stopped them at a checkpoint near Diabetic Point in the town. An argument ensued between Jahid and the Air Force members, he said. More people gathered there and protested the incident, triggering the clash, he said. Shahjahan, another resident, claimed that during the clash Air Force personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured. Shihab was later rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Shihab’s father, Nasir Uddin, demanded justice for his son’s killing, calling for an impartial investigation into the incident.

Some miscreants from Samity Para, adjacent to the Air Force Base in Cox's Bazar, launched a surprise attack on the Air Force Base, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday. Defiant home adviser vows to ensure rule of law at any cost The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary steps in this regard, the ISPR release added. Further details of the incident are still awaited.

Two bodies were recovered from the rooftop of a house following a joint forces raid in Mohammadpur’s Chand Udyan area of the capital early Thursday, said Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR). The joint forces conducted the operation around 12:30am after being tipped-off that muggers were preparing, said the ISPR in a media release. Upon receiving information, a team of the joint forces rushed to the spot and cordoned off the two ends of a lane in the area, the media release added. Sensing the presence of the joint forces, the terrorists opened fire from the rooftop of the one-storey house, forcing them to retaliate in self-defence, according to the ISPR. Two killed, five held during joint forces raid at Mohammadpur During the operation, it said, five terrorists were detained with a pistol, four rounds of bullets, and machete, and handed over to Mohammadpur Police Station to take legal action.  Later, two bodies were recovered from the rooftop of the house after conducting a search. Such drives to save the lives of people and property will continue, the ISPR added.