United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rain or thunder showers in five divisions of the country including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9am on Monday. “Rain or thunder showers is likely at one or two places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions,” said the latest Met office bulletin. Trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay, extending its trough to Northeast Bay, it said. Weather may remain mainly dry with parly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may fall slightly over the country.

Two construction workers died after falling from an under-construction building in Anwara upazila of Chattogram district on Sunday. The deceased were identified as Siam, 19 of Kushtia district and Anis, 25 of Rajshahi district. The accident occurred in the afternoon in the Gundhipara area when the workers fell from the building as the railing of the building collapsed on a scaffold while they were engaged in plastering the exterior of the six-storey building, leaving one dead on the spot and another injured. Man stabbed dead in Chattagram The injured Anis was taken to Anwara upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared him dead. Md Junayet Chowdhury, Officer-in-Charge of Anwara Police Station said police recovered the bodies.

Another victim has died following a gas explosion in the port city of Chattogram, raising the death toll to three, officials said. Md Samir Ahmed Suman, 40, died at about 11:55am on Tuesday while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, hospital sources said. Doctors said he had suffered burns to around 40% of his body. Earlier in the morning, 16-year-old Md Shawon, who was also injured in the same incident, died while undergoing treatment at the institute’s Male High Dependency Unit (M-HDU). Nine burn victims were brought to the Dhaka-based specialist hospital from Chattogram on Monday evening, according to Assistant Professor Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, a resident physician at the institute. A third victim, Nurzahan Akter Rani, 40, was declared dead on arrival with 100% burns, doctors said. Medical staff described the condition of the remaining patients as critical. Shakhawat Hossain and Ashura Akter Pakhi sustained 100% burns, while Md Shipon suffered 80% burns. Ctg gas explosion: Woman succumbs to injuries on way to Dhaka Ayesha Akter received burns to 45% of her body, Umme Ayman Snigdha 38%, and Md Farhan Ahmed Anas 30%. All are undergoing treatment. The explosion occurred at about 5:30am on Monday on the third floor of a six-storey residential building, Halima Manzil, in the H Block area of Halishahar. Officials said a suspected gas line leak may have caused the blast. The injured were initially treated in Chattogram before being transferred in stages to Dhaka for specialised care. Authorities said an investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing and the condition of the injured remains under close monitoring.

A woman who sustained severe burn injuries in a gas explosion in Halishahar area of Chattogram died on Monday afternoon while being taken to Dhaka for advanced treatment. The deceased was identified as Nurzahan Akter Rani, 40. She died around 4:30pm on the way to the capital, police and hospital sources said, adding that she had suffered 100 percent burns. The explosion occurred early Monday on the third floor of a six-storey building named Halima Manzil near AC Mosque in H Block of Halishahar. Preliminary findings suggest that accumulated gas in the kitchen triggered the blast. 4 of a family burned in Hazaribagh ‘gas leak’ fire The other injured are Shakhawat Hossain, 46, Md Shipon, 30, Md Suman, 40, Md Shawon, 17, Md Anas, 7, Md Ayman, 9, Ayesha Akter, 4, and Pakhi Akter, 35. Assistant Professor Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, resident physician at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said nine burn victims were brought from Chattogram at night, and Nurjahan Akter Rani was declared dead on arrival. He said Shakhawat Hossain and Ashura Akter Pakhi sustained 100 percent burns, Md Shipon 80 percent, Md Shawon 50 percent, Md Samir Ahmed Suman 45 percent, Ayesha Akter 45 percent, Umme Ayman Snigdha 38 percent and Md Farhan Ahmed Anas 30 percent. Due to the severity of the burns, the condition of all the injured remains critical. 9 injured in gas cylinder blast in Chattogram building Director of the institute Professor Dr Nasir Uddin said they had been informed earlier about the possible referral of the patients from Chattogram and made necessary preparations. He said treatment began immediately after their arrival, with several shifted to the intensive care unit, while others would be moved to ICU if required following observation.

A 70-year-old inmate died on Saturday at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) while receiving treatment for cancer. The deceased was identified as Abdur Rahman Mia, who suffered from multiple serious illnesses. Abdur Rahman Mia was arrested in a case under Kotwali Police Station and sent to Chattogram Central Jail on November 17, 2025. His health deteriorated, and on December 24, he was transferred to CMCH for advanced treatment, where doctors admitted him after examinations. After nearly a month of treatment, he was discharged and returned to the jail on January 18, 2026. Medical reports showed he had lung cancer that had spread to the brain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Following doctors’ advice, he was readmitted to CMCH on January 26. He died at 11:30 am on Saturday (January 31) while under medical care. Chattogram Central Jail Superintendent Syed Shah Sharif confirmed the death. Abdur Rahman Mia was a resident of Uttar Agrabad, Purbo Muhuri Para of Double Mooring in Chattogram. Some sources said he was a vice-president of Ward 24 South Agrabad Awami League, though no official documents were seen. Child rescued from deep tube-well hole in Ctg dies The hospital death certificate listed the cause of death as carcinoma of the lung with brain metastasis, along with high blood pressure, COPD, and diabetes. Syed Shah Sharif, the jailer of Chattogram Central Jail said, “The higher authorities have been informed about the inmate’s death and the necessary legal procedures are underway.”  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived in Chattogram on Saturday evening to begin the second phase of his election campaign ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. He landed at Shah Amanat International Airport around 7:15pm by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, said BNP Media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He will spend the night in Chattogram and will join the election campaign in Chattogram and surrounding districts on Sunday,” said Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of BNP’s election steering committee. He said Tarique will join a ‘Youth Policy Talk’ at a hotel in Chattogram at 9:30am on Sunday with around 300 university students. At the event, he will outline the party’s policy proposals on education, employment, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment and the environment, among other issues. Read More: Tarique urges voters to back BNP, warns against vote fraud Later in the day, Tarique will address a mass rally at the historic Polo Ground, marking his first visit to Chattogram in more than two decades. Party leaders said the rally is expected to draw a very large crowd, with organisers expecting up to o10 lakh people. A 100-foot-long and 60-foot-wide stage has been constructed, and separate areas have been set aside for women and the media. Around 200 microphones and 10 LED screens will allow people outside the ground to follow his speech. The rally has created excitement across the city, with streets, BNP offices and local gathering points decorated with posters and slogans. Party leaders said Tarique’s return after 21 years carries deep emotional and symbolic significance for supporters in Chattogram. Read More: Sylhet sets the stage as Tarique ready to launch BNP’s election campaign Following the Chattogram programme, Tarique will address rallies at Feni Pilot School ground, Chauddagram High School ground in Cumilla, Sonagazi Digbazi Field, Daudkandi Central Eidgah ground, and Kanchpur Balur Math in Narayanganj. Party leaders said the visit is expected to boost the party’s momentum ahead of the polls and give a fresh push to BNP’s campaign. Tarique is expected to instruct leaders to work in unity and seek public support for the party’s electoral symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. Security measures have been strengthened in and around the Polo Ground. The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has prohibited weapons, explosives, sticks, bricks, stones, unauthorised placards, and drones in the rally area. Legal action will be taken against violators, the police said. Tarique launched the first phase of his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet’s Alia Madrasah ground, speaking at seven rallies in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj.

After nearly 21 years, the historic Polo Ground in the port city of Chattogram is once again set to witness a defining political moment as BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman prepares to address a major election rally on Sunday. The port city is buzzing with excitement as BNP leaders, activists and supporters from across Chattogram pour in, turning the area around the Polo Ground into a hive of political activity. For many, the occasion carries deep emotional and symbolic weight, marking Tarique Rahman’s return to the city after a gap of 20 years and seven months. This rally will formally launch the second phase of the BNP’s election campaign, with party insiders describing it as a crucial moment in shaping momentum ahead of the polls. Streets, party offices and local gathering points across the city are alive with preparations, posters and slogans, reflecting the heightened enthusiasm surrounding the visit. Tarique Rahman is scheduled to take the stage at around 11:30am, when thousands are expected to gather at the historic ground, long associated with landmark political events in Chattogram’s history. Organisers say the rally is expected to be one of the largest BNP gatherings the city has seen in recent years. A 100-foot-long and 60-foot-wide stage is being constructed at the venue, where workers were seen busy with preparations on Saturday afternoon.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to begin the second phase of his election campaign from Chattogram on Sunday, completing electioneering in Sylhet. “Our leader Tarique Rahman is travelling to Chattogram today as part of his election campaign. He will depart Dhaka at 7:35pm by air and spend the night in Chattogram,” said Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of BNP’s election steering committee. He made the remarks at a press briefing at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office on Saturday morning. Mahdi said Tarique will join a ‘Youth Policy Talk’ at a hotel in the port city with around 300 university students at 9:30am on Sunday. At the event, the BNP chief will outline his party’s policy proposals on education, employment, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment and the environment, among other issues, Mahdi added. BNP to ensure safety of Hindu community if elected: Mirza Fakhrul Later in the afternoon, Tarique will address a mass rally at the Chattogram Polo Ground. Following the Chattogram programmes, he will address campaign rallies at Feni Pilot School ground, Chauddagram High School ground in Cumilla, Sonagazi Digbazi Field, Daudkandi Central Eidgah ground, and Kanchpur Balur Math in Narayanganj. Tarique launched the first phase of his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet’s Alia Madrasah ground and spoke at seven rallies in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj the same day.

An officer of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was killed and three others were injured in a gun attack by armed criminals while recovering weapons in the hilly area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda on Monday evening (January 19, 2026). The deceased was identified as Abdul Motaleb, a Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of RAB-7. Read more: Chankharpul massacre verdict on Tuesday; BTV to air live Three other officials- Lance Naik Imam, Naik Arif, and Constable Rifat- were critically injured and admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Sirajul Islam. Md Sohel Rana, in-charge of the Sitakunda Fouzdarhat Police Outpost, said RAB-7 came under the gun attack by armed criminals during the arms recovery drive. He said Jungle Salimpur is a remote hilly area where thousands of illegal settlements have grown over the past four decades on government and khas land. The region has long served as a safe haven for hill grabbers, armed criminals, and land mafias. The area is reportedly still controlled by armed groups, making entry for outsiders extremely difficult, added the in-charge. Read more: Justice trails shadows; RAB arrests suspect in brutal Banasree murder

A Chattogram court on Monday indicted 39 people including spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in lawyer Saiful Islam Alif murder case. Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Zahidul Haque framed charges against them after hearing the law-point arguments from both sides. Though the indictment the trial in the case started officially, said public prosecutor SUM Nurul Islam. An unprecedented security measures were taken on the court premises during the hearing and check-post was set up at the main gate of the court. Twenty-three accused including Chinmoy Das were produced before the court around 9:45 am amid tight security. Sixteen other accused in the case remained absconding. Slain lawyer Alif’s father Jamal Uddin was present at the court. On November 26, 2024, followers of Chinmoy Das intercepted a prison van carrying him after his bail prayer was rejected by a court in a sedition case. Lawyer Alif was stabbed to death during a clash between law enforcers and Chinmoy’s supporters on the court premises. On November 29, 2024, victim’s father Jamal Uddin filed a case naming 31 accused and 15 to 16 unnamed others with Kotwali Police Station. Ctg Lawyer Alif Murder: Police press charges against 38 On July 1, 2025, police pressed charges against 38 people but the plaintiff of the case filed a ‘naraji’ a no-confidence motion) petition. Three main accused in the case—Chandan Das, Ripon Das and Rajib Bhattarcharya gave confessional statements before the court.