United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Army will establish a modern factory on the premises of the closed Jalil Textile Mills at Fouzdarhat in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district for producing military equipment and arms, said Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Thursday. The government formally handed over 54.99 acres of land under the Bangladesh Textiles Mills Corporation to the Bangladesh Army at a symbolic price on Thursday afternoon for the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF) following an agreement, he said. The contract was signed between the government and the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF) of the Bangladesh Army on mill premises as part of the land transfer process. The factory will help meet the country's demand for arms and could generate substantial foreign exchange by exporting weapons produced there, the Army chief added. He thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and all concerned for facilitating the land transfer. “This is not only about meeting the country's needs; the facility will also be developed as an export-oriented industry,” General Waker said, adding that there is demand for Bangladeshi arms in many countries. If bureaucratic complexities can be removed, Bangladesh could earn significant foreign currency through arms exports, he said. Explaining the choice of the hilly site at Fouzdarhat, the Army chief said its proximity to Chattogram Port will facilitate the production of modern and sophisticated military equipment and help enhance the country's defence capabilities. He described the project as part of efforts to strengthen the country's strategic security, saying a long-closed industrial facility will now begin a new chapter in a different form. Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir attended the programme as the chief guest. He said the global defence industry and technology have undergone revolutionary changes, with drones and other military equipment now available at comparatively lower costs in high demand. The government will provide all necessary support for arms and defence exports, the minister said, adding that the initiative will take Bangladesh to a new level. Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam and Quartermaster General of the Army Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque were also present. After the signing ceremony, the minister and the Army chief inspected the abandoned factory premises and later planted trees there. Jalil Textile Mills began operations in 1961 on around 55 acres of land as a prominent manufacturer of yarn and fabrics. The mill played an important role in the country's textile industry for decades but eventually suffered successive losses and mounting difficulties. Its production operations were finally shut down in 2004. The premises remained abandoned for years before the necessary procedures and formalities were completed to transfer the land to the Army. The transfer marks the beginning of a new chapter at a site long associated with the history and heritage of Bangladesh's textile industry.

Members of the Bangladesh Army detained 13 BNP activists on suspicion of attempting to seize two polling stations in Dhaka’s Ashulia early Thursday. The detainees were later handed over to Ashulia police station. SI Saymon Sheikh, duty officer of Ashulia Police Station, told UNB they are currently in police custody. Around 12:30am, an army patrol team conducted an operation at the Notun Nagar New Model School and College polling station in Ward No. 5 of Dhamsona Union and detained nine BNP activists. They are Abdur Rahman, 42, son of Shamsul Haque; Bashir Uddin Bepari, 64, son of Yakub Ali; Mohammad Sarwar, 52, son of Shahjahan Bepari; Md Julhas Uddin, 24, son of Md Babul Hossain; Md Sumon, 23, son of Ahmed Ali; Md Sujan, 20, son of Md Taijul Islam; Md Shahinur Islam, 30; Akhtar Hossain’s son Md Sumon, 36; and Danez Ali Sheikh’s son Md Nurul Islam, 35. They are said to be supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Dr Dewan Mohammad Salauddin Babu. Meanwhile, four more people were detained in a separate operation at the Nalam polling station in Ward No. 9 of Dhamsona Union at the same time. They are Md Montu Mia, 35, son of Yusuf Ali of Nalam Bagbari area; Md Jewel Mia, 36, son of Md Ali Hossain of Nalam Panpara area; Kabir Hossain, 37, son of Lokman Hossain; and Rakib Hossain, 39, son of Majid Bepari. Law enforcement agencies said they are also supporters of the same candidate. After verification, necessary legal action will be taken as decided by higher authorities, according to SI Saymon Sheikh.

Election materials have been transported by helicopter to three extremely remote polling centres in Khagrachhari. The three centres are Naraichari in Dighinala upazila and Shuknachhari and Futyachari in Lakshmichhari upazila. A helicopter took off from the Lakshmichhari Zone helipad of the Bangladesh Army and first delivered election materials to remote Shuknachhari centre on Monday while the same helicopter later carried materials to Futyachhari in Lakshmichhari and Naraichhari in Dighinala in phases. District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said not only ballot boxes and election materials but also polling officials and members of the law enforcement agencies were transported to the remote centres by helicopter. Read More: 4 candidates seek special security at high-risk polling stations in Khagrachhari Meanwhile, members of the Army, RAB, BGB and police have already been deployed to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. The Army, RAB and BGB are conducting regular patrols in different areas of the constituency. A total of 5,54,114 voters are expected to cast their votes from  the Khagrachari constituency at 203 polling centres. Of these, 121 centres have been identified as risky while 68 as highly risky.

The army detained a local extortionist with two foreign pistols and ammunition in a special operation in Mohammadpur’s Krishi Market area of the capital. The operation was conducted by Bosila Army Camp from 12:30 am to 2:00 am on February 7, based on specific intelligence. The detained man, identified as Jahirul Islam, 44, had been occupying an office in the market area and extorting local traders for a long time. Dhaka-14, 16 constituencies marked highly risk-prone: Army According to the report, the local traders often reported his activities verbally but never filed written complaints due to fear. During the raid, the army initially recovered a 7.65 mm pistol made in the United States from his home. Following information from the suspect, another similar pistol was seized from his office. Recovered items: ·         2 × 7.65 mm pistols (USA) ·         6 rounds of 7.65 mm bullets ·         2 magazines After the operation, the suspect, the seized weapons and ammunition were handed over to Mohammadpur Police Station.

Around 18 percent of the total polling centres in Dhaka-14, Dhaka-16 and Dhaka-18 constituencies have been identified as risk-prone. Among the three constituencies, Dhaka-14 and Dhaka-16 are marked as highly risky. Mirpur Army Camp Commander of the Bangladesh Army Lt Col SM Fuad Masrur made the remarks on Saturday afternoon during a briefing at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium on overall security arrangements and election preparedness for Dhaka-14, -16 and -18 constituencies ahead of the national parliamentary election. Army Chief urges officers to perform election duties impartially Lt Col Fuad Masrur said the Army remains on the highest alert to ensure that voters can travel to and from polling centres without disruption.  Based on the level of risk, polling centres have been categorised as highly risk-prone, medium-risk and general, and necessary security measures are being taken accordingly, he said. He also urged journalists to conduct preliminary verification before disseminating any information related to disorder or sabotage during the election period, so that misleading or provocative news is not published. The camp commander added that the Army will ensure the security of both election candidates and media personnel.  He also requested to inform law enforcement agencies immediately if any risky situation is observed. Army chief says 3,619 weapons looted during Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising

Bangladesh Army has recovered 179 firearms and 1,941 rounds of ammunition during joint operations across the country ahead of the national election, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operations, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, also saw the detention of 1,774 people. Read More: Chattogram army operation seizes weapons and drugs, 2 arrested The drives have been going on since the election schedule was announced on December 11, 2025 and continued until February 1, the ISPR added.

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.

The chiefs of Army, Navy and Air on Tuesday night (December 02, 2025) visited ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. According to Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR), chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, chief of Naval Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, chief of Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan visited the former prime minister. Read more: Tarique Rahman’s return a personal, family decision: Khosru Several political leaders and others are visiting Khaleda Zia who has been undergoing treatment at the hospital since November 23. Meanwhile, two specialist medical teams from the UK and China are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday morning (December 03, 2025) to support the medical board formed to ensure treatment of the BNP chairperson. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi

An alleged regional commander of the Mog Liberation Party(MLP) was killed during an army operation in Khagrachari’s Shantinagar area on Friday morning, while another suspect was arrested with arms and ammunition. The deceased was identified as Kongchaiñyo Marma, 31, son of Aungsazai Marma of Mahalchhari. Security officials said he was the prime suspect in the abduction of two technicians from a Robi mobile tower in Chadurkhil, Manikchhari, in April this year. According to army sources, troops from the Sindukchari Zone first arrested suspected insurgent Ismail Hossain in a predawn raid, recovering firearms and ammunition. Based on his information, a second raid was conducted at a rented house owned by businessman Sujit Dey in Shantinagar later in the morning. 3 DB police injured in attack during operation in Bogura Sensing the presence of security forces, Kongchaiñyo allegedly jumped from the second floor of the building, sustaining critical injuries. He was taken to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Local residents reported hearing several gunshots during the operation. A search of the premises led to the recovery of one pistol, five LGs, 21 cartridges and 18 pistol bullets. Dr Dipa Tripura of Khagrachari Sadar Hospital said the man had died before arrival, with injuries consistent with a fall from height and no bullet wounds. OC Abdul Baten Mridha of Khagrachari Sadar Police Station said a police inquest was conducted and an investigation is underway. The army’s Guimara Region Sindukchhari Zone said details will be shared in a press briefing.

A senior officer of the Bangladesh Army has been relieved of his duties following allegations of abuse made against him, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday. The ISPR said that a high-level investigation board has been formed to probe the allegations and uncover the facts surrounding the incident. The move comes after a complaint, reportedly filed by the ex-wife of a former army officer, surfaced on social media alleging abuse. The army was informed of the complaint before it became public and began an investigation with due seriousness. Authorities stated that disciplinary measures are currently underway against the accused officer in accordance with military regulations. ISPR urges calm amid Gopalganj unrest, assures situation now under control ISPR further said under existing regulations, a dismissed member of the army is no longer entitled to receive medical treatment, government housing, or other official facilities. However, as a humanitarian gesture, and considering the SSC examinations of the former officer’s son, the family was temporarily allowed to reside in government accommodation. The Bangladesh Army reiterated its commitment to upholding discipline, ethical standards, and the rule of law, stating that any proven misconduct would result in strict action under army law.