Almost three months after one of the worst floods in recent memory, 1,718 families in Feni are still grappling with the aftermath.  Having lost everything to the devastating flood, these families are forced to live in temporary shelters, struggling to rebuild their homes and lives. In August, a catastrophic flood swept through Feni, destroying 1,718 homes completely and partially damaging another 6,941. Although two months and 24 days have passed since the disaster, relief efforts have been insufficient, victims say. According to District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Mahbub Alam, “For partially damaged homes, we have received 400 bundles of corrugated iron sheets and 12 lakh taka, which have been distributed to nearly 150 families.” Read: Low-lying areas of Ctg, Feni, Cumilla and 5 other districts likely to be inundated: FFWC Some organisations, including the Bangladesh Army and UNDP have assisted these families, but the need remains overwhelming. The flood caused widespread destruction across Feni, with complete devastation reported in the following areas: Sadar Upazila: 675 houses Fulgazi Upazila: 295 houses Chagolnaiya Upazila: 293 houses Parshuram Upazila: 333 houses Sonagazi Upazila: 37 houses Daganbhuna Upazila: 85 houses  Additionally, partial damages were reported in the following areas: Sadar Upazila: 3,206 houses Parshuram: 333 houses Chagolnaiya: 313 houses Daganbhuna: 982 houses Sonagazi: 741 houses Fulgazi: 1,349 houses For families with partially damaged homes, the Bangladesh Army has distributed 4 bundles of corrugated iron sheets per family and provided a total of Tk 6.5 lakh in cash to 157 families. The Army, with assistance from the Navy, has also repaired 100 houses in Fulgazi. In addition, UNDP is distributing Tk 10 crore 35 lakh to repair the homes of 3,000 affected families. Other organizations, including BDRCS, Mastul Foundation, RIC, and YPSA, have also contributed with materials and financial aid. Amid this devastation, stories of hardship continue to unfold. Khokon Mia, an auto-rickshaw driver from Dakkhin Jagatpur village in Fulgazi upazila, lost everything to the flood, including his home. With nowhere to go, he now lives with his wife and children in a small room of a Water Development Board irrigation scheme. "Everything feels like a nightmare," said Khokon. Read more: Deaths during student protest: 4 students' bodies exhumed in Feni for autopsies “One flood has left me completely destitute. I couldn’t save anything. I had to take shelter with my wife and three young children. It’s been a month with no work. I don’t know how to rebuild my house. Three months have passed since the flood, and yet I have not seen any government initiative for our rehabilitation,” he added. Abu Taher, from Char Chandia village in Sonagazi, also recounted the flood’s devastation: "The floodwaters have ruined everything. I barely managed to get to a shelter. When I returned home, nothing was left. I am now living with my family on the roof of my cousin's house."  Shamsunnahar, a woman in her fifties from Birinchi area in Feni Sadar upazila, is facing the same fate. "The flood took everything, and I don’t have the means to build a new house. If I receive financial aid from the government, I will be able to repair my house; otherwise, I will have to stay in the broken house. I’ve made a shelter with plastic around and broken tin on top." The recently retired Feni Deputy Commissioner Musammat Shahina Akhter, sought urgent assistance for the affected families. "We have requested 20,000 bundles of tin and 6 crore taka from the relevant ministries for the aid of affected families," she said.   

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Tuesday departed for an official visit to the United States and Canada, according to Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR). During the visit, General Waker-Uz-Zaman will participate in discussions with senior military and civilian officials at the United Nations headquarters, the US, and Canada. Army Chief calls on Chief Adviser Prof Yunus The discussions will focus on issues related to UN peacekeeping missions, enhancing the capabilities of the Bangladesh Army, strengthening bilateral relations, and outlining future strategies for cooperation. Army chief meets President Shahabuddin The army chief will return home on October 25.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said Bangladesh Army has once again been recognised as a symbol of trust by the people of the country. “Bangladesh Army stood by the people of the country at the time of crisis and saved the country from an unstable situation by expediting the process of forming an interim government,” he said while inaugurating the 'Army Headquarters Selection Board-2024' at the Army Headquarters as the chief guest. The Chief Adviser directed the members of the Selection Board to emphasise professional competence, leadership qualities and standards of discipline, honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty, and above all suitability of the officers for promotion. All parties fully backed Interim Govt in dialogue with Chief Adviser: Mahfuj Alam He said officers with honesty, integrity and other leadership qualities deserve higher promotion and directed for selecting those officers for promotion who have succeeded in providing competent leadership in various activities of military life, irrespective of political ideology. In the 1st phase under this promotion board, eligible officers for the ranks of colonel and lieutenant colonel in Bangladesh Army will be considered for promotion, an ISPR press release said. The Chief Adviser welcomed everyone to the new Bangladesh following the revolution of the students and people. He remembered with deep respect all those who sacrificed their lives in the anti-discrimination student movement in July-August. Prof Yunus also recalled all the brave soldiers of the armed forces and army martyrs who participated in the Great War of Independence and said their sacrifices the nation will always remember with respect. Can’t wait indefinitely, says Dr Yunus seeking int’l solution to Rohingya crisis On arrival at the venue, Prof Yunus was welcomed by Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief adviser's special assistant on defense and national solidarity, and the Chief of General Staff and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division. The Chief of Army Staff expressed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for inaugurating the selection board despite his busy schedule. The defence secretary and senior officers of the army were present at the inauguration ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus participated in a photo session with the army officers and wrote his comments on the visitors' book.      

Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been appointed as the new Army Chief of Bangladesh, effective June 23, 2024. With this appointment, he will be promoted to the rank of General, as confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday (June 11, 2024). His tenure as Army Chief will last for three years. He will replace General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, who took over the Command of Bangladesh Army as the 17th Chief of Army Staff on 24 June 2021 and will complete his tenure on June 23, 2024. An alumnus of Bangladesh Military Academy, he was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on December 20, 1985. Having an illustrious career of more than three and a half decades, Lieutenant General Waker brings with him enormous experience of holding key command, staff and instructional appointments. In his distinguished military career, Lieutenant General Waker commanded an Infantry Battalion, the only Independent Infantry Brigade of Bangladesh Army and an Infantry Division. His key staff appointments include staff officer at an Infantry Brigade, School of Infantry and Tactics and Army Headquarters. He was a distinguished instructor at ‘School of Infantry and Tactics’, ‘Non-commissioned Officers’ Academy’ and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training’. Lieutenant General Waker served as the Military Secretary in Army Headquarters. Prior to joining as the CGS of Bangladesh Army, he performed as Principal Staff Officer of the Prime Minister at Armed Forces Division under Prime Minister’s Office. Lieutenant General Waker is an alumnus of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur and Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK. He holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from National University of Bangladesh and Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, University of London. As the head of the Armed Forces Division, he was directly involved with the UN Peacekeeping Affairs of Bangladesh Armed Forces. He was also nominated as a Gender Champion and Gender Advocate of Bangladesh for UN Peacekeeping Affairs. By virtue of his appointment as Principal Staff Officer, he also headed the ‘Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention’ as Chairman. Under the Blue Helmet, Lieutenant General Waker completed two tours of duty as observer and staff in UNAVEM (Angola) and UNMIL (Liberia) respectively. As the CGS of the Bangladesh Army, he has been responsible for the military operations, military intelligence, UN peacekeeping affairs, budget, and many other affairs of the army. Lieutenant General Waker had the rare privilege of commanding the National Victory Day Parade for three consecutive times. He was awarded the coveted ‘Army Medal of Glory (SGP)’ and Extraordinary Service Medal (OSP) for his remarkable contributions in the modernization of the army. He frequents as a keynote speaker in different seminars and symposiums both at home and abroad. He enjoys games and sports. He is happily married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman and blessed with two daughters: Samiha Raisa Zaman and Shayeera Ibnat Zaman.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said the recent ‘false ‘and ‘fallacious’ Deutsche Welle (DW) documentary titled "Torturers deployed as UN peacekeepers" presents a "misleading portrayal" of Bangladesh Army personnel in UN Peacekeeping Missions. "Misrepresentation and insufficient diligence can lead to eroding the credibility and effectiveness of peacekeeping forces globally," ISPR said on Saturday (May 25, 2024) protesting the report. More so, the Bangladesh Army has a spotless record with no human rights violations while serving under the UN, a distinction shared by only a few countries, it said in a rejoinder to Deutsche Welle (DW) Documentary on UN Peacekeepers. Given these facts, ISPR said, it is crucial for media outlets to adhere to the principles of fair and balanced reporting, especially on issues as vital as international peacekeeping. DW documentary on Peacekeepers: UN says it follows three-step screening process when deploying troops It said Bangladesh Army rigorously follows the UN's stringent selection and vetting protocols to ensure that only the most qualified and thoroughly vetted individuals are deployed. "These measures underscore the Army's commitment to upholding the highest standards of conduct and professionalism in peacekeeping missions," ISPR said. Furthermore, it said, DW did not seek comments from the Bangladesh Army regarding the allegations presented in the documentary. "This lack of balanced reporting raises concerns about the aim and objective of the documentary. It is pretty clear that the documentary was focused on defaming a law enforcing agency of Bangladesh showing irrelevant video footages," ISPR said. "It was totally a biased media projection, which has largely compromised the credibility of the documentary. It has also raised questions about the motive behind it," ISPR added. Bangladesh highlights its contribution to UN Peacekeeping It is crucial to "recognise the significant contributions" of Bangladesh to UN peacekeeping efforts. Bangladeshi peacekeepers have earned a reputation for their dedication, professionalism, and humanitarian approach. A total 131 Bangladesh Army personnel have made supreme sacrifice and 239 sustained injuries while serving under the UN flag, embodying the spirit of selflessness and commitment to global peace.

Members of Bangladesh Army, during a drive, arrested a leader of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from Ruma Bazar in Bandarban district on Friday. The arrestee was identified as Longa Khumi (40), son of Ancha Khumi, of Ruma upazila. He was also a district correspondent of the Daily Manab Zamin. Tipped off, a team of Bangladesh Army conducted the drive and arrested Longa Khumi from the Ruma Bazar area on Friday afternoon, Md Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Ruma Police Station, confirmed. He was handed over to police last night. Later, he was sent to jail after being produced before the court. Also read: 3 Kuki Chin gunned down outside village in Bandarban Jashim Uddin, former secretary of Ruma upazila unit of BNP, said Longa took part in the union parishad election from BNP in 2016. According to sources in the security forces, Longa had long been under the surveillance of the army, as they got a list of KNF top leaders. Nathan Bom was listed as president of the group and Longa was listed as assistant foreign secretary, according to that. Longa was also vice-president of Kuki-Chin National Development Organization (KNDO) in 2008. Longa was aware of the movement of the army patrol team and informed KNF members, according to security forces. END/UNB/Corr/MAS/KW

Two soldiers of Bangladesh Army were killed and two officers injured in an attack by armed terrorists of Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) in Ruma upazila of Bandarban district on Tuesday (May 16, 2023), said an ISPR press release issued on Wednesday (May 17, 2023). The deceased were Altaf Ahmed and Md Touhid while the injured were Major Monwar and Captain Ishtiak Ahmed Shawkat. According to the ISPR release, tipped off about a hideout of armed terrorists, a team of army, led by Major Monwar from Susingpara Army camp, conducted a drive at Jarulchharipara on Tuesday. Read more: Army warrant officer killed as Kuki-Chin separatists open fire in Bandarban  When they reached near a water fountain at Jarulchhari around 1:55 pm, the armed KNA members opened fire on them and hurled improvised explosive device (IED) targeting the army personnel, leaving four of them injured. Later, the wounded army personnel were airlifted to Chattogram Combined Military Hospital (CMH) where two soldiers succumbed to their injuries. The injured army officers were undergoing treatment at the hospital. Read More: Training commander of Jamatul Ansar, 8 other militants arrested in Bandarban: RAB Earlier, on March 13, a senior army warrant officer was killed and two 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.

The massive fire at New Supermarket, next to Dhaka New Market, was finally doused this morning (April 16, 2023)- around 27 hours after it started and burnt down several shops and establishments during this busy Eid shopping season. Lima Khanom, duty officer (control room) of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters said the flame was finally doused around 9 am today. Earlier yesterday, the fire broke out at around 5:40 am.  Read more: Fire at Dhaka’s New Supermarket now under control A total of 28 firefighting units and teams of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the effort to douse the fire. The fire was brought under control around 9:10 am yesterday. Some 32 people, including firefighters, fell sick from the heavy smoke while firefighters were trying to douse the blaze. On April 4 morning, a massive fire broke out at Bangabazar Shopping Complex in Dhaka, burning several thousand shops to ashes. A total of six adjacent markets were also burnt. Read More: Fire safety system of New Supermarket was very weak: Fire Service The fire was doused on April 7, over 75 hours after it broke out.  

The long-awaited Purbachal Expressway will connect the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway with the capital. According to Rajuk, the capital development authority, the expressway will be ready to be inaugurated in the next 2-3 months. Billed as one of the most spectacular and attractive expressways in south and eastern Asia, it will connect Dhaka’s Progoti Swaroni and Airport Road to the Eastern Bypass. There will be no traffic signals on the 12.5-km long expressway, which will have upto 14 lanes. According to Rajuk, a 6.5-km stretch of the 12.5-km expressway, from the capital’s Kuril area to the Balu River, is being constructed with 14 lanes. Of these 14 lanes, eight will be part of the main expressway, while the remaining six lanes will be used as service roads for the movement of local vehicles. The 6-km stretch of the expressway from the Balu River to Kanchan Bridge will have 12 lanes - six forming the expressway, six as service roads. At present, 95 percent of the project is complete, said sources at Rajuk. Read More: RAJUK lauches work on deep tube wells for Purbachal New Town project  The cost of construction of the expressway has been estimated at Tk 764 crore. As part of the project, 10 large bridges will be built at an estimated cost of Tk 488 crore. The construction of the expressway from Kuril Bishwa Road to Kanchan Bridge is in the final stages. Currently the construction of drainage systems along the roads and canals is going on. In many places, dividers are being installed. The Bangladesh Army's 24 Engineer Construction Brigade is implementing the project. Meanwhile, Rajuk is currently digging 100-foot-wide canals on both sides of the Kuril-Purbachal Link road with the help of the Army, to preclude waterlogging. Rajuk Chairman Anisur Rahman Miah told UNB recently that most of this work is complete. Also read: Construction underway of iconic Bangabandhu Tri-Tower at Purbachal There will also be 13 arched bridges, like the ones in Hatirjheel, costing an estimated Tk 227 crore. Five at-grade intersections are being constructed so that vehicles in the adjacent areas can use the service lanes to get on the expressway at the same grade or elevation. A subway will be added to the expressway under each intersection, according to Rajuk. Besides, a four-kilometer drainage line for rain water, two culverts and 12 water bus stands will be constructed in the project area. In addition, the number of pedestrian-bridges has been increased from the four mentioned in the original project outline of 2015 to 12, the number of pump houses from one to five, and the number of sluice gates from four to ten. Read More: Iconic Purbachal CBD project launched “The entire project will be completed in a quick time," Anisur Rahman said. "Hopefully, it will be inaugurated within the next three months. Once complete, the road communication between the capital and Purbachal will be modernised. Rajuk and police will work jointly to provide adequate security on the roads.” Regarding the canal reclamation project, Anisur said: “Once there were three major canals - Dumni, Boalia, and AD-8 -that would drain the rainwater out of the Airport, Nikunja, Baridhara and surrounding areas. However, those canals are completely gone.” “We’re hoping to reclaim those canals with this project,” he added. The plan to dig and develop a 100-foot-wide canal on either side of the Kuril-Purbachal link road was approved at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on November 4, 2018. The Rajuk chairman hopes that the canals will help to solve the waterlogging problem in the Kuril, Baridhara, Nikunja and Airport areas during monsoon. Read More: Hasina unveils state-of-the-art exhibition centre in Purbachal The Rajuk chairman said that once all the work is complete, the area would also present 'the nearest tourist spot' to Dhaka. The estimated cost of the Purbachal Expressway project was originally Tk 5,287 crore, back in 2015. The addition of three additional canals, roads, bridges, and other elements described above have added an extra Tk 5,043 crore. The overall cost of the project has thus nearly doubled to Tk 10,330 crore.

Bangladesh Army recently published a recruitment circular. 14th to 20th grade as per National Pay Scale 2015 Manpower recruitment for civilian permanent/temporary posts. They are inviting applications, who are interested in their job circular. Bangladesh Army recently recruitment circular 2023 How to Apply Interested candidates have to apply directly or by post by filling the form prescribed by the Ministry of Public Administration. Read More: Job Circular in Forest Department 2023: Post 106 Age Limit: Candidate’s age should be between 19 to 30 years as on 31 December 2022. Age limit for children of freedom fighters is 32. Application Fee: TK.200/- Application Deadline: Up to 09 March 2023 Read More: Job Circular in Bangladesh Public Service Commission 2023: PSC Non-cadre Major Recruitment, 2953 Vacancies More Details: Check for post details, application eligibility and application form https://www.army.mil.bd/Job-Circulation-Details/span-stylecolor-333333-fontfamily-trebuchet-ms-arial-helvetica-sansserif-fontsize-14px-textalign-justify-backgroundcolor-f7f7f7permanent-civilian-post-in-bd-armyspan-40 Job Source: Bangladesh Army Official website. Read More: Bank Job Circular 2023: 468 job opportunities in Sonali and Janata Bank