United News of Bangladesh

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.

The Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman said on Tuesday that the Army has provided shelter to individuals whose lives were in danger, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. He emphasized that the current government is seeking to implement some reforms and hold a free and fair election, and the Army is fully committed to supporting them in achieving these goals. He made these remarks during a briefing at Rajshahi Cantonment on Tuesday afternoon. In response to a question about whether the detained Awami League leaders from airports or border posts would be formally arrested, the army chief said that while the army has provided shelter to those whose lives were threatened, anyone against whom there are legal allegations will face justice. He stressed that the army is committed to preventing any extrajudicial actions against these individuals. Read more: Money launderers won’t be allowed to sleep in peace: New Bangladesh Bank Governor The army chief also highlighted the importance of recovering weapons looted from the police. Several have already been recovered, and the search is ongoing and expressed his hope that the remaining weapons would also be recovered soon. General Waker reassured that the situation has stabilized and is now under control, thanks to the combined efforts of all parties involved and also acknowledged the support received from the media and expressed gratitude for their cooperation. He noted that the police are currently under some stress but are gradually resuming their duties effectively. The army continues to provide protection to the police, and once the situation normalizes further, the army will return to its cantonment. Until then, the army will remain engaged. Regarding concerns about possible harsh measures similar to "Operation Clean Heart" or the "One-Eleven" political interventions, he assured that the army will not adopt such strict approaches. Instead, the army is committed to fully supporting the government’s efforts to implement reforms and ensure a free and fair election. Addressing questions about foreign pressure, the army chief confirmed that there is no external pressure, although there has been some discussion concerning minority issues. He mentioned that around 30 incidents related to minority unrest have occurred in 20 districts, but none in the eight districts of the Rajshahi division, which is a positive sign. The army aims to maintain the peaceful environment and continue working towards the country’s progress. On the matter of army vehicles being burned in Gopalganj, the army chief described it as a misunderstanding. The situation is now normal, and dialogue has been established with the local leaders. He assured that those responsible for the incident would be investigated and brought to justice. Earlier, the army chief held a meeting with administrative officials in the Rajshahi region to discuss the situation. Present at the meeting were Dr. Dewan Mohammad Humayun Kabir, Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi; Anisur Rahman, DIG of Rajshahi Range; Bipul Vijay Talukdar, Metropolitan Police Commissioner; and Shami Ahmed, District Commissioner of Rajshahi, along with officials from RAB-5 and BGB. Read more: Sheikh Hasina, 24 others sued over student killed in Dhaka’s Mirpur during protest

Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed returned home on Sunday after a 3-day official visit to Qatar. During the 3-day official visit, the Army Chief enjoyed the semi-final and final games of the '18th AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™' held in Qatar and observed various events of the 'World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024'. Shab-e-Barat on February 25 Besides, the army chief also participated in bilateral meetings with representatives from different countries and discussed various issues of mutual cooperation, says an Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate media release. Anita Ghazi Rahman joins Brac Bank as independent director The Chief of Army Staff went to Qatar on February 7 at the invitation of Qatar Olympic Committee and President of Local Organizing Committee Joan Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed on Thursday visited the activities of Bangladesh Army deployed in Dhaka, Jashore and Savar region as the country gears up for the 12th parliamentary elections. 1 more dengue patient dies; 153 hospitalised in 24hrs The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said in a press release on Thursday that  the army chief visited the activities of the Bangladesh Army deployed in Jashore region to assist the civil administration on January 7, according to the ISPR. During the visit, he exchanged views with the soldiers on duty and gave necessary directions. Dense fog disrupts flight operations at Dhaka airport; 13 flights diverted General Officer Commanding (GOC), 55 Infantry Division and Area Commander Jashore Area, senior military officials of the Army Headquarters, local civil administration and law enforcement agencies were present on the occasion. After visiting the Jashore region, the army chief inspected the activities of the army personnel deployed in Savar and Dhaka and gave necessary directives. Dhaka's air quality 3rd worst in the world this morning

A senior army warrant officer was killed and two other soldiers suffered injuries when members of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) opened fire on a patrol team in Rowangchhari upazila of Bandarban district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Master Warrant Officer Nazim Uddin, son of late Shamser Ali of Ghaghatpara village of Rangpur Sadar upazila. The injured army soldiers are being treated at a hospital, according to the ISPR. Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed expressed deep grief over his death. On the occasion of National Children's Day-2023 and Independence Day, the patrol team went to remote hilly areas to ensure the security of a team that went to provide free health care to mothers and children on Sunday noon. Around 1pm, the armed KNA members suddenly opened fire on the patrol team from an ambush vantage point, leaving the warrant officer dead on the spot and two others injured, ISPR said. According to the ISPR, the separatist Kuki-Chin National Army, an armed terrorist group, has previously provided arms training to a militant group "Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya" in Bandarban's hilly areas for money. Besides, the terrorist group tried to stop the road construction work going on in Thanchi under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army. On failing, they kidnapped 12 workers on March 11, 2023. Of them, a worker suffered bullet injuries and four workers are still being held hostage by the KNA. Although the remaining seven workers were released for ransom, they threatened them not to work on the road construction project. Earlier on February 8, 2023, KNA sent a notice to the Transport Owners Association threatening to stop vehicle movement in three upazilas of Bandarban. On Sunday, March 12, 2023, the district administration issued an indefinite travel ban in the area due to security concerns caused by various terrorist activities of KNA members.      

The fire that broke out at a cotton godown in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district yesterday (March 11, 2023) morning was brought under control this morning, around 22 hours after the incident.   Sultan Mahmud, senior station officer of Kumira Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the development, saying that the fire was brought under control with the help of Bangladesh Army and Navy around 8 am this (March 12, 2023) morning. Members of the army, navy and fire service are tirelessly working to douse the blaze completely, he said. The army will brief about the incident when the fire is extinguished, the fire service officer added. Read more: Sitakunda cotton godown fire: Army, Navy join efforts to control the blaze On Saturday night, members of the army and navy joined the fire service in fighting the fire.   Meanwhile, a 10-member probe committee, headed by Chattogram district administration’s deputy director Badiul Alam, was formed to investigate the fire. The committee was asked to submit a report within 5 working days, Md Towhidul Islam, executive magistrate of the district administration, said. He said there were 2700 tonnes of cotton inside the warehouse which made it difficult to bring the fire under control. Read More: Sitakunda cotton godown fire: Army, Navy join efforts to control the blaze The fire started at the cotton warehouse of Unitex Group in Chhoto Kumira area around 10:30 am yesterday. On information, five firefighting units from two stations responded to the fire and almost brought the blaze under control around 12 pm. But as the fire flared up again, firefighters struggled to douse the fire due to a lack of a constant supply of water in the area. Six more firefighting units joined in around 8 pm last night. Read More EU releases €1 million in emergency aid for people affected by fire in Rohingya camp in Bangladesh The origin of the fire and the extent of damage could not be ascertained immediately. Earlier on March 4, six people were burned to death and around 33 sustained injuries in a fire after a massive blast at Seema Oxygen Plant in the upazila.