United News of Bangladesh

Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest natural sea beach is witnessing a massive surge in tourists as the extended Eid-ul-Fitr holidays bring in thousands of visitors. The sandy shores of Laboni Point, Sugandha Point, and Kolatoli Point are teeming with holidaymakers, creating a vibrant carnival-like ambiance. Tourists are indulging in various beach activities—some riding the waves on jet skis, others floating on inflatable tubes, while families and friends relax under colorful umbrellas, savoring the tranquil ocean breeze. Hotels Nearly Full Booked Abul Kashem Sikder, President of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel, Motel, and Guesthouse Owners’ Association, said around 90% of accommodations in more than 500 hotels, motels, and resorts were booked in advance. Sylhet braces for 15 lakh tourists this Eid amid booming business prospects “Our establishments can host up to 187,000 guests per day, and the demand is exceptionally high this Eid season,” Sikder said. Robin, a tourist from Dhaka, said Cox’s Bazar is the top destination for Eid holidaymakers as it offers a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation by the sea. Enhanced Safety Measures for Tourists To ensure a safe beach experience, the Sea Safe Lifeguard organisation has deployed 27 trained lifeguards at Sugandha, Kolatoli, and Laboni Points—the busiest sections of the beach. Imtiaz Ahmed, Field Team Manager of Sea Safe Lifeguard, said, “Our teams are on high alert, and we are running awareness campaigns to prevent accidents during sea bathing.” Sajek, Khagrachhari open to tourists after month-long restriction Additional DIG Apel Mahmud of Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police said help desks have been set up at key points, and patrols have been intensified in coordination with district police to ensure security. “Our goal is to ensure that every tourist enjoys a safe and hassle-free vacation and returns home with happy memories,” he added.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived at the Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, as part of his visit to Bangladesh. He is set to participate in various programmes throughout the day, engaging with refugees and humanitarian organisations. Count on UN to help build sustainable, equitable future for all: Guterres tells Dr Yunus Later in the day, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is expected to visit the camp before iftar to join the UN chief. Their discussions are likely to focus on the ongoing challenges faced by Rohingya refugees and the support needed for their well-being.

A man was killed and over 50  people were injured during an “attack  by miscreants” at Samity Para near the Bangladesh Air Force base in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. The deceased was identified as Shihab Kabir Nahid, 30, son of former Primary Teachers' Training Institute (PTI) superintendent Nasir Uddin, 30, said Ahsan Habib Polash, deputy inspector general of the Chattogram Range of the police.   According to the Inter Services Public Relations, some miscreants launched a ‘surprise’ attack on the Air Force Base on Monday. The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary steps in this regard, the ISPR release added. Miscreants attack Air Force base in  Cox’s Bazar: ISPR Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said a man with bullet injuries was admitted to Sadar Hospital who was declared dead by doctors. Besides, five others are undergoing treatment at the same hospital. “A thorough investigation is underway, and discussions will be held with both parties to determine the cause of the incident," he added. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital superintendent Dr Mong Ting also confirmed the death. Locals alleged that tensions escalated following a dispute over land acquisition for the expansion of Cox’s Bazar airport. Akhter Kamal, a resident of Samity Para area, said a meeting was scheduled between BAF members and representatives of local people at the deputy commissioner’s office to discuss the relocation of affected residents. Around noon, when some locals, including one Md Jahid, were going to attend the meeting, BAF personnel stopped them at a checkpoint near Diabetic Point in the town. An argument ensued between Jahid and the Air Force members, he said. More people gathered there and protested the incident, triggering the clash, he said. Shahjahan, another resident, claimed that during the clash Air Force personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured. Shihab was later rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Shihab’s father, Nasir Uddin, demanded justice for his son’s killing, calling for an impartial investigation into the incident.

Country’s first-ever 200-kilometer Coastal Ultra Maratho’ 2025 beginning on Thursday (February 20) at the tourist town of Cox’s Bazar. The three-day Coastal Ultra (Marathon)’ 2025, organized by Voluntary organization Coastal Ultra Bangladesh, with a slogan of “save the sea, save the planet” will be held at the Marin Drive Road of Cox’s Bazar from February 20 to 22.  Dhaka International Marathon a symbol of global solidarity: CAS General Waker-uz-Zaman Ultra Marathon or Ultra Run is a long distance run, 42.20-kilometer more than marathon race and minimum of which was 50 kilometers race. Some 400 foreign and local athletes will compete in four categories of races -–50 kilometers, 100 kilometers, 100 miles and 200 kilometers, under the co-operation of Bangladesh Athletics Federation, Bangladesh Tourism Board and Cox’s Bazar District Administration.

Khulna has become a major corridor for drug smuggling, with traffickers exploiting road and rail networks to transport Yaba pills and other narcotics from Cox’s Bazar to Jashore via Khulna. The ineffectiveness of authorities in ensuring stringent legal action has further emboldened these criminal networks. Due to its convenient transport links, smugglers have increasingly favoured this route, using a variety of tactics to evade detection. Drugs such as Yaba, cannabis and Phensedyl are being trafficked through the district’s border points and discreetly distributed across the country. Although law enforcement agencies in Khulna are actively conducting operations to seize narcotics and arrest those involved, the persistence of drug trafficking remains a significant challenge. Major Drug Seizure in Khulna In a recent operation, law enforcement authorities arrested two people, including a Rohingya national, and confiscated 9,000 Yaba tablets—Khulna’s largest-ever haul of the illicit drug. The detainees have been identified as Touhidul Karim, 25, son of Mozar Mia from Kutupalong Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar, and Imran Khan, 31, son of Shahidul Khan from Keshabpur Upazila in Jashore. During the raid, the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) also recovered four counterfeit Tk 1,000 notes, two mobile phones, and a forged National ID card. Read: Karwan Bazar Railway: The go-to place for illegal drugs in Dhaka Under interrogation, Imran Khan disclosed that Touhidul had rented a house in Ghoshpara, Palbari under Kotwali Police Station in Jashore, which was being used as a base for trafficking Yaba pills. Additional Commissioner of KMP, Kutubuddin, said, “This is the largest seizure of Yaba in our force’s history, surpassing the previous record of 4,500 pills. A fake Bangladeshi National ID card was also recovered from the Rohingya arrestee. We are investigating the sources, transporters, financiers, and masterminds behind the drug trade to take decisive legal action against them.” Key Drug Smuggling Routes Intelligence sources reveal that traffickers smuggle various drugs through the bordering district of Satkhira via Chuknagar in Khulna and from Jashore via Keshabpur, Chuknagar and Abhaynagar to Phultala. Besides, the Jashore-Benapole commuter train is frequently used to transport drugs into Khulna. Satkhira and Jashore routes serve as major transit points for smuggling Phensedyl, Yaba and other narcotics from India into Bangladesh. Authorities have identified Zero Point and Pather Bazar under Khan Jahan Ali Police Station as key drug smuggling hubs. Meanwhile, illicit substances are being transported to Daulatpur and Khulna railway stations using the Benapole-Khulna commuter train. Read more: Sylhet’s Bishwanath sees alarming rise in drug abuse   Women are often used as carriers, concealing drugs within other goods before distributing them across the country through well-organised networks. Persistence of the Drug Trade Despite ongoing crackdowns, many drug traders manage to secure bail and resume their illicit activities. Intelligence reports highlight numerous drug trafficking hotspots, including: Khulna City: 44 points in Khalishpur, 14 in Khulna Sadar, 14 in Khan Jahan Ali, 11 in Labanchara, 10 in Daulatpur, seven in Aranghata, six in Sonadanga and three in Harintana Police Station areas. Surrounding Upazilas: Seven areas in Terokhada, nine in Dacope, four in Paikgacha, two in Koyra, as well as multiple locations in Batiaghata, Digholia and Rupsha upazilas. Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sonadanga Police Station, said, “Around 44 buses operate from the Sonadanga bus stand, many of which are used to smuggle drugs to border areas such as Jashore and Satkhira.” He added that a portion of these narcotics enters Dhaka, while others are smuggled across international borders. Read more: Illegal drug, arms trade thrives in Mirpur's Pallabi Alubdi Jhilpar Slum under ex-MP's control The growing use of Khulna as a hub for drug trafficking underscores the urgent need for enhanced law enforcement measures. While authorities continue their efforts to curb the trade, the resilience of smuggling networks highlights systemic weaknesses in enforcement and legal deterrence. Strengthening border security, increasing surveillance on transport routes and ensuring strict legal consequences for offenders will be critical in dismantling the region’s thriving narcotics trade.

Bangladesh and Japanese government have signed an agreement aiming to improve the fish landing centre in Cox’s Bazar. The signing ceremony of the ‘Project for Improvement of Fish Landing Center of BFDC in Cox’s Bazar district’ was held on Wednesday at Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo. Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) and JDC-KONOIKE Joint Venture signed the agreement and the project will be implemented with grant assistance from the Japan Government. 2 top UAE companies plan to invest in port development, energy sectors in Bangladesh BFDC Chairman Suraiya Akhtar Jahan signed the agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh Government. She sought Japan’s continued support for the development of Bangladesh’s fisheries sector. Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali welcomed all and thanked the Japanese Government for continuous support and cooperation in the development of Bangladesh. Mentioning that Japan is Bangladesh's largest single development partner, the ambassador said that this cooperation is gradually expanding in various sectors including trade and commerce, agriculture, infrastructure, communication, health, education, and human resource development. He also hoped that the friendly relations between the two countries will become stronger in the future. Saudi Ambassador honored with prestigious "Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence" A grant agreement for the project was signed between ERD and JICA on  March 28, 2024 for an amount of 2.294 billion Japanese Yen (equivalent to Tk. 168.48 crore or 15.31 million USD). The project is expected to turn the Cox's Bazar Fish landing Center into modern fish landing facility that will increase capacity and enhance landing ability for the wholesale fish market.

Members of Bangladesh Navy have arrested 19 people including a human trafficker for their alleged attempt to go to Malaysia illegally from Kacchapia in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. Tipped off, a Navy team conducted a drive in the area early Tuesday and arrested them, said a press release of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Bangladeshi, Indian civilians face off along Chapainawabganj border The arrestees were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station. In line with the current government's directives, under the framework of 'In Aid to Civil Power, the Bangladesh Navy will conduct regular patrol operations to recover illegal arms, eliminate drugs and terrorism and maintain law and order.

Tall trees near Cox’s Bazar and Saidpur airports are causing turbulence during flight landings, said Novoair’s Chief of Safety Captain Ashfaq-Ur-Rahman Khan. He raised the issue during a workshop, titled “Aviation Infrastructure and Imperatives for Aviation Safety” jointly organised by Novoair Aviation and the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum (ATJFB) on Wednesday. Captain Ashfaq gave a presentation on various aspects of flight safety at the workshop. He mentioned that tall trees around the two airports are causing turbulence. While many assume the turbulence is due to pilot error, he clarified that it is a natural phenomenon. He further mentioned that a letter has already been sent to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) regarding this issue. In his presentation, he also stressed the importance of runway surface levelness and the need for advanced navigation systems for flight safety. He detailed the complete set of regulations in place to ensure the safety of both flight crews and passengers. Flight operations suspension for 3.5hrs daily for 7 nights at Dhaka airport Addressing a question about flight safety from the journalists, Novoair’s Managing Director Mofizur Rahman spoke about the issues of bird strikes and laser lights near airports. “To prevent this, the airport authorities are taking various initiatives including using sound guns. However, various slaughterhouses, fish farming, etc., which are sources of bird food, must be stopped from the areas around the airport.” Furthermore, he discussed the issue of laser lights being aimed at pilots, a serious safety concern. He pointed out that in many countries, law enforcement apprehends offenders within an hour of such incidents, whereas in Bangladesh, law enforcement struggles to take swift action. The event was chaired by ATJFB President and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Special Correspondent Tanzim Anwar.

A death row convict, Abdul Majid, 39, was arrested on Wednesday by the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) during a raid near Cox’s Bazar's Sugandha Beach. Majid had been on the run since escaping from jail in August 2024 and was sentenced to death in 2014 for the murder of a 14-year-old boy, Asif, in Natore. Acting on intelligence surveillance and secret information, the ATU apprehended Majid in the Sadar Police Station area of Cox’s Bazar District, according to Barrister Mahfuzul Alam Rasel, Superintendent of Police (SP) for the ATU’s media wing. Surveillance intensified as criminal activities rise at Kamrangirchar: DMP DC The case dates back to July 4, 2006, when Abdul Majid killed 14-year-old Asif during a dispute at a local arbitration meeting. Majid had allegedly entered the home of a local woman with malicious intent and was caught by residents. When the local Union Parishad member called for a community arbitration, Majid became enraged and fatally struck Asif, the member’s nephew, with a hoof in front of witnesses. Asif’s grieving mother, Momtaz Begum, filed a murder case on July 7, 2006, with Singra Police Station. Following an investigation, police submitted a charge sheet to the local magistrate court. After years of legal proceedings, the Additional Sessions Judge Court of Natore sentenced Majid to death on October 27, 2014. He was subsequently detained at Kashimpur High Security Jail. 4 police officers, including former Mirpur Deputy Commissioner, temporarily suspended Majid’s escape occurred on August 6, 2024, during widespread unrest, vandalism, and chaos at Kashimpur Jail following the fall of the Hasina government amid anti-discrimination student protests. Taking advantage of the disorder, Majid managed to flee and went into hiding. Investigators later discovered that Majid had relocated to Cox’s Bazar, where he was reportedly planning to flee the country. Acting on precise intelligence, the ATU tracked his movements, verified information, and arrested him during the raid.

A Cox’s Bazar court on Thursday granted bail to a seventh grader who was picked up ‘along with arms’ instead of his father on November 26. Cox’s Bazar Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Zillur Rahman granted bail to Tousiful Karim Rafi, 14, a class VII student of Teknaf Hnila High School, after his 9 days of imprisonment. Rafi’s lawyer Ayasul Rahman said the court granted him bail considering his age. Ex-minister Sujan denied bail in murder case On November 26, a team of Teknaf Model Police Station led by Officer-in-Charge Gias Uddin, conducted a drive at the house of Rezaul Karim, a panel chairman of Hnila Union Parishad but he managed to flee. Locals said they picked up Rafi failing to arrest his father. Police claimed they detained Rafi along with arms.