United News of Bangladesh

Law enforcement agencies have arrested at least nine people in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and two cultural organisations in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Seven of the arrestees were identified as Md Kashem Faruk, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Faisal Ahmed Pranto, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam, according to a Facebook post by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Monday morning (December 22, 2025). Kashem, a former student of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kasemul Uloom Madrasa in Bogura, currently lives in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. Saidur hails from Noakanda village in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district. Rakib Hossain, from Sherpur district, was identified in video footage taking part in vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He also posted images of the wreckage along with provocative messages on Facebook. Read more: Attacks on Daily Star, Prothom Alo a direct assault on democracy: Fakhrul Md Naim, a resident of Kunipara in Tejgaon, was arrested in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla with Tk 50,000 looted during the attacks. During primary interrogation, he admitted to looting Tk 123,000, part of which he used to purchase a television and a refrigerator from Mohammadpur. The items were later recovered. Sohel Rana, arrested from the Karwan Bazar rail-line area, has 13 cases filed against him, including drug-related charges, at different police stations in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam, arrested from the same area, has two previous cases related to arson and grenade attacks. Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the police, along with intelligence agencies, has detained two more individuals whose identities are currently being verified. At a meeting on Sunday, police informed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that primary video analysis had identified 31 suspects involved in the incidents. In Chattogram, three people who attempted to create unrest near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner were also identified from video footage. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused. Read more: 17 arrested over attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star offices: DMP

Intelligence agencies are currently gleaning information about the deputy commissioners (DCs) who served as returning officers in 2024 general elections, said Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Mokhlesur Rahman on Sunday. Among DCs who were made officers on special duty (OSD) or sent into forced retirement for their role in 2014 and 2018 national elections, cases will be filed only against those against whom there are allegations of financial irregularities, he said while talking to reporters at the secretariat. “The government has not acted unjustly or with bias against anyone. Decisions were made solely in the interest of the state,” the senior secretary said. He said after reviewing intelligence reports, the government will make final decisions through the Advisory Council’s committee. 21 ex-DCs sent into forced retirement Depending on the severity of the allegations, some officials may be made OSD or sent into compulsory retirement, but the government will ensure fairness in all cases, he added. Meanwhile, nine additional secretaries from different ministries are set to be promoted to the position of secretary soon, he said. He said the government has decided on these promotions based on merit and eligibility, ruling out any favoritism in the process.

Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department Brig General Md Moin Uddin has urged the intelligence agencies to investigate whether there was any sabotage behind the recent series of fire incidents. He said this while replying to a question from journalists after a fire broke out in New Supermarket near New Market early Saturday (April 15, 2023) morning. "We're working for you with risks. One after another fire incident is taking place. I will call on the intelligence agencies to check if there is any sabotage,” he said. Read more: Fire at Dhaka’s New Supermarket now under control The fire broke out on the third floor of New Supermarket and the members of the Border Guard Bangladesh fire service, police, Rapid Action Battalion, army, air force, Dhaka WASA water-carrying vehicles, were working to bring the fire under control, he added. “We still don't know why the fire broke out here. We have brought the fire under control but could not douse it,” said Brig Gen Moin adding that they are facing difficulty to bring the fire under control because of onlookers. "If everyone remains aware at every level, then it is possible to survive the fire. High volt bulbs are used here. Accidents happen because they are not aware. We urge shop owners in all markets to refrain from using high-voltage lights,” the fire service DG said. Read More: Fire at Barishal Plaza, opposite Bangabazar Market, doused

Intelligence agencies of the country are working to prevent the rise of militants and their operations, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today. “Police are making all-out efforts to arrest fugitive militants. We have managed to arrest many militants and we’ll definitely be able to arrest the fugitives soon,” he said. The home minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after attending a programme at Police Staff College on the occasion of Police Memorial Day-2023. “We have not been able to eradicate militancy yet, but we have it under control. Our intelligence teams are working well, and that’s why militancy is now under control,” the minister said. Replying to a question on bomb threat at the just-concluded Ekushey book fair, the home minister said, “We often receive such threats, and we take necessary action after thorough examination.” Responding to another question from a reporter about possible chaos over the next national election, he said, “Political parties become active ahead of election. They get engaged in campaigns and other activities. We have been seeing it for long. Different political parties are active. I think there is no reason to heat up the election-centric political situation.” Also said :'We are moving forward due to the positive role of police': Home Minister Police Memorial Day is observed on March 1 in all metropolitan, range and district units of Bangladesh Police to commemorate police personnel who died while performing duties. Replying to a query over the delay and harassment in providing compensation to families of deceased police personnel, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Inspector General of Police (IGP), said a proposal has been given to the Home Ministry and decision in this regard will come soon.  

President Donald Trump on Thursday speculated that China could have unleashed the coronavirus on the world due to some kind of horrible "mistake," and his intelligence agencies said they are still examining a notion put forward by the president and aides that the pandemic may have resulted from an accident at a Chinese lab.