United News of Bangladesh

Army Headquarters on Thursday said around 100,000 army personnel have been deployed across the country to ensure a free, fair and uninterrupted environment for the national election, with the key objective of restoring voters’ confidence. Director of the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters Brig Gen Dewan Mohammad Monzur Hossain shared the information  at a press briefing on Thursday at the Roller Skating Complex in the capital. He focused on the activities of the Bangladesh Army deployed under In Aid to Civil Power. He said that in previous elections, a maximum of 40,000 to 42,000 army personnel were deployed, mainly as striking forces stationed in far from pooling centres' areas. This time, for the first time, army patrols have been allowed to operate up to the premises of the polling centres. Army Chief urges officers to perform election duties impartially Monzur Hossain said the expanded deployment aims to ensure voters can travel to polling centres safely and without hindrance. Keeping the need for voter security in mind, the Army Chief has retained only the minimum necessary personnel at barracks and deployed the rest to support the conduct of a credible election. Brig Gen Monzur said due to a shortage of required vehicles, the army has sought support from the civil administration. Where requisitioned vehicles are unavailable, vehicles are being hired to ensure uninterrupted patrols.  He added that army personnel have been working tirelessly and conducting round-the-clock patrols to help rebuild public confidence. He further said maintaining law and order well ahead of the election is crucial for holding a fair election. Accordingly, army deployment was increased from 35,000 to 50,000 on January 10, 2026, and later expanded to 100,000 on January 20, 2026, he added. Alongside the Army, the Navy has deployed 5,000 personnel while the Air Force has deployed 3,730 members. The Bangladesh Army is operating in 62 of the country’s 64 districts and 411 upazilas and has set up a total of 544 temporary camps. Through regular patrols, joint operations and the establishment of check posts, surveillance has been strengthened and weapons recovery operations are ongoing.  

The Armed Forces War Course (AFWC) Wing was formally inaugurated at its newly established campus in Dhaka Cantonment on Monday. The Wing will continue its academic and training activities at the new campus while remaining an integral part of the National Defence College. Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, Quartermaster General (QMG) Lt. Gen. Md Faizur Rahman and the Commandant, National Defence College, Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque were present there.  Joint forces arrest 278 across Bangladesh in weeklong drive: ISPR Senior military and civil officials, along with faculty members and staff officers of the National Defence College, were also present at the ceremony. The inauguration of the Armed Forces War Course at its new campus marks a major step forward in strengthening institutional capacity for strategic-level education and training. The purpose-built campus has been designed to support an advanced learning environment conducive to research, professional discourse, and joint operational understanding among mid-level officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The presence of the Chiefs of the three Services at the inauguration underscores the importance of jointness, interoperability, and professional excellence within the Armed Forces. Traffic restricted for Khaleda Zia’s janaza: ISPR The event reaffirms the Armed Forces of Bangladesh's commitment to continuous professional development, modern military education, and the strengthening of national defense institutions.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday (November 30) said the government will ensure justice for all members of the Army, Navy and Air Force who faced discrimination, deprivation and oppression during the previous regime. He made the remarks after receiving a report from the committee formed to review applications of retired and dismissed officers who suffered injustice between 2009 and August 4, 2024, and to submit recommendations at the State Guest House Jamuna. “When I assigned you to do this work, I thought there might have been some minor irregularities. But the complete picture you have presented is truly horrific. It is beyond imagination,” the Chief Adviser said. He thanked the committee members for revealing the truth with professionalism and sincerity. Committee Chairman and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defense and National Integration Development, Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Hafiz, and members Maj Gen (Retd) Mohammad Shamsul Huda, Maj Gen (Retd) Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, Rear Adm (Retd) Muhammad Shafiul Azam and Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Muhammad Shafqat Ali attended the meeting. Read more: BDR Mutiny: Probe body says Hasina had 'green signal' for entire incident The committee received 733 applications, scrutinised them, and selected 145 for recommendations. Committee Chairman Abdul Hafiz said the committee held its first meeting on August 19, 2025, and invited applications through the Central Officers’ Record Office, ISPR, RAWA, and various media platforms until September 21, 2025. He said that in almost all cases, the dossiers of the affected officers contained no record of moral turpitude or serious allegations, despite the punishments imposed by boards formed under the previous regime. Recommendations were made after reviewing board findings, application details and interviews with officers, including phone consultations with former commanders. The investigation revealed several grave incidents. Six officers were allegedly kept in illegal confinement for periods ranging from one to eight years because of their relatives’ political affiliations or suspected militancy links—something described as unprecedented in Bangladesh’s history. One retired officer was reportedly murdered in a staged militancy incident, and his wife was jailed for two six-year terms without trial along with their one-year-old child. Some officers were allegedly targeted for speaking out about the government’s inaction during the BDR massacre on February 25, 2009. Five were reportedly tortured after being implicated in a fabricated assassination attempt on then MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. Five others were dismissed from DGFI on false or baseless charges during the 1/11 caretaker government. The committee also found that officers assigned by the army chief to question the then prime minister in court after the BDR massacre were wrongly blamed amid chaos in the courtroom and dismissed without an opportunity to defend themselves. Four junior officers were also dismissed for allegedly belonging to a particular group or being labelled militants simply for practicing religious rituals. In its final report, the committee recommended action for 114 Army officers, 19 Navy officers, and 12 Air Force officers who were deprived or discriminated against. The recommendations include granting normal retirement, promotion, pre-retirement promotion, arrears of pay and allowances, and other applicable benefits. Read more: BDR mutiny a planned conspiracy to destabilise Bangladesh: Inquiry Commission chief Four Army officers were recommended for reinstatement into service. Md. Ashraf Uddin and Military Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, were also present at the meeting.

The government of Bangladesh has once again extended the magistracy power of commissioned officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force until February 28, 2026, with effect from November 12 (Wednesday). The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification to this effect on Tuesday (November 11). Read more: Armed forces' magistracy powers extended by 60 days According to the notification, commissioned officers holding the rank of captain and above in the Bangladesh Armed Forces have been granted special executive magistrate powers across the country. Army officers serving on deputation in the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also been vested with the same authority. The interim government initially granted the magistracy power to commissioned army officers on September 17 last year for 60 days to improve law and order. It was subsequently extended on January 12, March 13, May 13 and July 13 this year. Read more: Govt vows to protect interfaith unity, communal harmony

The government has designated a building within Dhaka Cantonment to serve as a temporary jail. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard on Sunday, a day after announcing that 15 army officers wanted by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for alleged crimes against humanity were taken into army custody. The Bangladesh Army on Saturday said 15 officers, against whom arrest warrants were issued for alleged involvement in disappearances and crimes against humanity, were taken into custody. Bangladesh Army takes 15 officers into custody Among them, 14 are serving officers and one is an officer in the LPR, and another officer did not respond to notice, said Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, while briefing reporters at a press conference in Dhaka Cantonment. The ICT on Wednesday issued warrants for the arrests of 30 individuals in two cases of crimes against humanity involving the disappearance and torture of opposition figures during the Awami League regime. Of the 30 accused, 17 face charges related to torture at the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell of RAB, and 13 are accused of torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC).

The government on Friday clarified that the recent remarks made by Major General (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman on his personal social media account were expressed solely in a personal capacity.  "The comments do not reflect the position or policies of the government of Bangladesh and as such the government neither endorses nor shares such rhetoric in any form or manner," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in media  release.  The government of Bangladesh urged all concerned to refrain from associating the government of Bangladesh to the personal comments made by Major General (Retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman.  No info on religious-based visa rejections for students by Poland: MoFA Bangladesh remains firmly committed to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence of all nations, said the Ministry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, did mention what Fazlur Rahman wrote on social media account.       

All the gates of the Bangladesh Secretariat, the hub of government administration, were closed on Thursday  after last night's huge fire at the building number 7. The fire that swept through the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the building was brought under control early Thursday after six hours of efforts. Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat building brought under control after six hours Nineteen units of fire service took part in the fight to tame the blaze. Army and paramilitary BGB members were deployed at the gates besides a large number of law enforcers as many office goers were seen waiting to enter their offices. Huge fire engulfs Secretariat's Building No.7 Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Housing and Public Works and Industrial Affairs Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan visited the spot.

In a gesture of solidarity and support for victims of the July-August uprising, Bangladesh Army has agreed to waive the venue charges for a charity concert organised by Dhaka University students. The event, scheduled for December 21, at the Army Stadium, aims to raise funds for the families of those killed and injured during the uprising, according to ISPR. The concert is being organised under the Spirit of July platform, which was founded to remember the victims and provide ongoing assistance to their families. Bangladesh, Indian armed forces unite to commemorate Victory Day All proceeds from the event will go to the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting the martyrs' families and those affected. In addition, the army has made special arrangements to ease potential traffic congestion around the event. To ensure smooth access to Dhaka airport and minimize public suffering, vehicles carrying air passengers coming from Dhanmondi and Farmgate will be allowed to enter the Cantonment area through Jahangir Gate. These vehicles will be permitted to proceed to Dhaka airport via CMH and Zia Colony, subject to passengers showing their flight tickets. This special route will be available from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm on December 21, 2024. Ambulances carrying patients will also be given priority to use this route during the same hours, added ISPR.

Three militants of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) have been killed in a gunfight with the Bangladesh Army on Sunday in the dense forests of Ruma upazila in Bandarban district. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army initiated the operation based on a tip-off about the location of a clandestine hideout used by the KNF. The firefight broke out when Army personnel raided the hideout deep in the jungle. The identities of the three deceased militants have not been confirmed yet. During the operation, a cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the site, the ISPR release mentioned. Read: Huge arms, ammunition recovered KNF den in Bandarban: ISPR The military operation is still ongoing as the Army continues its efforts to neutralise the insurgent group in the region. The KNF, a separatist organisation operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, has been involved in various violent activities, including attacks on security forces and civilians, as part of their quest for an autonomous state for the Kuki-Chin ethnic group.

Buddhists across the country, including in Dhaka, Chattogram, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, and Ramus, are peacefully celebrating their second-largest religious festival, Prabarana Purnima, with the appropriate solemnity. In honour of this occasion, a week-long series of programmes has been organised in Buddhist villages and townships, as stated in a press release from ISPR. During the festival, the Bangladesh Army is on duty in both the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the plains to ensure an atmosphere of peace, order, and harmony. Earlier, on 10 October, a delegation from the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation held a courtesy meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman at army headquarters. During this meeting, the army chief pledged to provide financial and security assistance for the celebrations in the three hill districts for both Prabarana Purnima and the Kothin Chibor Dan events. He also assured that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure security during the festivities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Subsequently, the Army Chief presented a cheque for Tk 1 crore on behalf of the Bangladesh Army to the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, according to the release. Additionally, the army has coordinated with other forces to ensure the security of the upcoming month-long Kothin Chibor Dan event.