United News of Bangladesh

Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Wednesday said 3,619 weapons were looted from different police stations of the country during the mass uprising in 2024. Of the looted weapons, 2,259 have been recovered, which is 62.4 percent of the looted weapons, he said during a high-level meeting held on the overall law-and-order situation in view of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter. The Army Chief said the amount of ammunition looted from different police stations of the country during the same period is 456,418 rounds. Of this, 237,100 rounds have already been recovered, which is 52 percent, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing quoting the Army Chief as saying at the meeting. He said the forces are taking various steps based on mutual discussions to ensure relief in the minds of the people during the election. If implemented in the coming days, the Army Chief said, it is possible to present a peaceful election to the nation. The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, was held at the Chief Adviser’s office. Army, BAF helicopters to conduct trial landing, takeoff near Evercare Hospital Advisers Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lieutenant General (retd.) Abdul Hafiz, and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Chiefs of Bangladesh Navy and Air Force, among others, were present at the meeting. After the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the media briefing.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus held an emergency meeting on Friday (December 12, 2025) and said the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi is a well-planned attack on the democratic journey of Bangladesh. Through this, Prof Yunus said, the defeated power has shown its audacity to challenge the existence of the country. “We will thwart such an attempt at any cost. Such an attack by such an evil force on the nation will not be tolerated,” said the Chief Adviser. He said this another worrying incident during the tenure of the interim government. Read more: Zubaida visits gun-attack victim Hadi's family Prof Yunus held the emergency meeting with some members of the Council of Advisers and important officials of the law and order and security forces at the State Guest House Jamuna. Prof Yunus said this attack is an attack on Bangladesh's existence. The Chief Adviser will soon discuss the emerging situation with key political leaders, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Prof Yunus said a conspiracy was being hatched to thwart the national elections and referendum through the attack. “We will not allow such a conspiracy to succeed under any circumstances. No matter what the attack is, no matter how many storms come, no force will be able to obstruct the upcoming elections,” he said. Read more: CA speaks to Hadi's brother; assures govt to provide all treatment at home or abroad Prof Yunus said they would ensure a peaceful election for the nation with their combined strength, along with the support of the people of the country. Advisers Dr Asif Nazrul, Md Jahangir Alam, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adilur Rahman Khan, National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Home Affairs, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Health Affairs, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and senior officials of the police, armed forces, and intelligence agencies were present at the meeting. Prof Yunus said the attackers and those who planned the attack on Hadi must be arrested as soon as possible. He urged the people of the country to pray to the Almighty Allah for Hadi’s speedy recovery. Police said that CCTV footage of the attack site and other evidence have already been collected. Ordering immediate action at the border, the Chief Adviser said, “We must ensure that the attackers cannot leave the country under any circumstances.” Read more: DUCSU protests shooting of Osman Hadi He said the security of those who may have become potential targets due to their active involvement in the July uprising must be taken into consideration. The meeting decided that a special hotline number would be launched in the coming days to prevent any untoward incidents during the election period and to ensure rapid response. The meeting also resolved to intensify operations to recover illegal weapons and to search possible locations where criminals may be hiding.

The Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) will conduct trial landing and takeoff of helicopters on two open fields near Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday (December 4). The flight landing and takeoff will take place following the security protocol of the Special Security Force (SSF), according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Read more: Govt declares Khaleda Zia a ‘very very important person’ Authorities have requested all to avoid spreading any rumour or confusion regarding the operation. Special Security Force (SSF) protection has been deployed for former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, after she was declared a ‘very very important person’ (VVIP). Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on the night of November 23 on the advice of the medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

Efforts are underway to free Bangladeshi journalist and writer Shahidul Alam, who has been in an ‘Israeli prison’, with the help of Turkey, according to a Facebook post shared on the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday. Turkish authorities have expressed hope that Shahidul Alam may be flown to Ankara on a special aircraft later today (Friday), although they have not provided full assurance, read the post quoting Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Turkey Amanul Haque. He informed the authorities concerned on Thursday night. Following Shahidul’ s illegal detention by Israeli authorities, Bangladesh embassies in Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey have been instructed to work with local foreign ministries for his immediate release and remain in constant contact with relevant authorities. Arundhati Roy among family, friends demanding release of Shahidul Alam, others In a video message circulating on social media on Wednesday, renowned photographer Shahidul claimed that he has been ‘kidnapped by the Occupation Forces of Israel’ while travelling by sea in their flotilla heading towards Gaza. Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organised civilian maritime missions, said that the Israeli forces attacked its convoy of aid boats and seized several vessels en route to Gaza. According to the FFC, Israeli forces first targeted The Conscience -- a vessel carrying 93 journalists, doctors, and activists before intercepting three smaller boats on Wednesday. Press Secretary demands release of Shahidul Alam, others Israel and Hamas on Thursday made a ceasefire deal through the intervention of US President Donald Trump, who credited Egypt, Qatar and Turkey for their initiatives to end the prolonged war between Israel and Hamas.

The government on Tuesday strongly dismissed the allegations that information over casualties in the Uttara Milestone School and College plane crash is being concealed, terming such claims as incorrect.  The government along with the Bangladesh Army, school authorities and hospital authorities is working to provide accurate and timely updates regarding those killed or injured in the tragic incident, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing shared it in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The government is extending full support to the victims of the aircraft crash at Milestone School and College, it said. Authorities are verifying the identities of the deceased and compiling an official list. DNA tests are being conducted to confirm identities for bodies that remain unidentified. Maximum medical care is being ensured for the injured admitted to several hospitals in Dhaka, reads the statement. Milestone tragedy: Death toll rises to 27, 78 injured receiving treatment People have been urged to contact the school’s control room immediately if any known person remains missing. Records and registry logs are being reviewed to verify any unaccounted-for persons. At a briefing at 8am on Tuesday at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Dr Sayedur Rahman said the death toll from the jet crash has risen to 27, with 78 others still receiving treatment at various hospitals. He said 20 bodies have so far been handed over to families.