United News of Bangladesh

Two university students were killed early Friday when a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) garbage truck rammed their motorcycle in the Konapara area of Demra. The deceased were identified as Iram Redwan, 25, a student of American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), and Apu Ahmed, 25, a student of United International University (UIU). Victims’ classmate Tausif said Redwan and Apu were returning home from a wedding event around 4:30 am when the DNCC garbage truck hit their motorcycle, leaving them seriously injured. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared Apu dead first, followed shortly by Redwan, he added. Both students resided in the Chittagong Road area of Shanarpar. The City Corporation vehicle (registration Dhaka Metro Sha-140574) has been seized by police. Inspector Md. Faruk, in charge of the police camp at DMCH, said the bodies have been kept in the hospital morgue. The incident has been reported to the Demra police station.

A two-year-old boy, Sajid, who fell into an abandoned deep well in Tanore upazila, Rajshahi, has not survived the 32-hour ordeal, as the Fire Service mounted a painstaking operation to hopefully rescue him. He was retrieved in a lifeless state around 9pm on Thursday (December 11, 2025), and the hope was that doctors at the nearest hospital could revive him. Although Sajid was immediately taken to the Tanore Upazila Health Complex for medical examination, doctors there declared him dead. Lt. Colonel Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Director of Operations at the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said that Sajid was found unconscious upon rescue, prompting his transfer to the hospital for urgent medical care. Despite efforts to revive him, doctors confirmed his death after thorough examination. Read more: Rajshahi rescue teams race to save toddler Sajid from deep tube-well It all started around 1:00 pm on Wednesday when Sajid fell approximately 30–35 feet into the open mouth of a well in Koelhat village while walking behind his mother, Runa Khatun, who was holding his elder sibling. Rescue operations began at 1:45 pm after locals alerted the Fire Service. Sajid’s mother described the frightening moment: “Suddenly, Sajid called out ‘Ma, Ma.’ When I turned, I saw him fall into a hole covered with straw. He slipped further down before anyone could reach him.” Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night and following day, carefully excavating the well and supplying oxygen to keep the child alive. Authorities and locals monitored the operation, which concluded successfully late Thursday evening. Read more: Two-year-old child trapped in deep well in Rajshahi not rescued after 10 hours The boy is now receiving medical care, and officials said his condition will be closely observed.

Anxiety has further gripped Tanore upazila as rescuers continue the desperate search for two-year-old Sajid, who slipped into an abandoned deep tube-well pipe over 24 hours ago. Fire Service teams have already dug down 42 feet, but the boy has not yet been found. Officials say they are prepared to dig even deeper, determined to reach him. A special camera was lowered into the pipe but became stuck around 35 feet but Sajid’s presence could not be detected, they said. Oxygen has been continuously supplied into the pipe since Wednesday afternoon and rescuers are exploring several strategies to trace Sajid’s exact position, said witnesses. Rajshahi Fire Service Assistant Director Didarul Alam said the initial rescue was slowed because soil had already fallen into the pipe during villagers’ early attempts. A Rajshahi village holds its breath as little Sajid remains trapped underground “We have supplied oxygen from the beginning. We dug 40 to 42 feet but still could not locate him. We may need to go deeper. If this approach fails, we will adopt alternative methods,” he said. Fire Service personnel said the toddler might have slipped further down possibly beyond 40 feet. Tanore Police Station officer-in-charge Shahinuzzaman said three Fire Service units, assisted by the Army, police and upazila administration, have been working non-stop. “The operation hasn’t ended. The digging continues,” he added. The tragedy unfolded around 1pm on Wednesday in Koelhat village of Pachandar union where the child had been walking with his mother Runa Khatun. Read more: Toddler killed in Cumilla by Land Ministry official's vehicle Runa recounted the moment everything changed. “I was holding his hand while carrying my younger child. Suddenly he called out ‘Ma!’ When I turned, he was gone,” she said, trembling. “I heard him calling out from inside the pipe.”

The body of a Bangladeshi man, who went missing after illegally crossing into India, was recovered from a river in West Bengal on Wednesday. The deceased, Tasir Ali, 31, son of Ibrahim Haque from Bakher Ali Westpara in Char Bagdanga Union of Chapainawabganj Sadar, went missing three days ago while crossing the border at night with several others for suspected smuggling purposes. While the group managed to escape after being chased by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), Tasir Ali did not return. On Wednesday afternoon, locals spotted a body floating in the Bhagirathi River near Baijitpur in Gangipur, Malda district, about seven kilometers inside India, and informed the authorities. Indian police recovered the body and took it to the Gangipur Subdivision Hospital. Lt. Col. Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, commander of the 53rd BGB Battalion in Chapainawabganj, said Tasir Ali had been missing for three days. His family informed the BGB that the Indian police had recovered the body. The exact cause of death remains unknown, and the matter has been reported to the BSF. The handover of the body to Bangladeshi authorities will be conducted through formal diplomatic channels after discussions between the two border forces.

Hospital police at Jashore Sadar Hospital detained a man carrying a gun and a knife on Thursday evening. The arrested individual, Rasel Munshi, 40, is the son of the late Sabur Munshi from Senhati village in Dighalia Upazila of Khulna district. Police said Rasel was wandering aimlessly in the corridors on the third floor of the hospital after 7pm, carrying a shopping bag. Noticing his unusual behavior, on-duty police brought him to the hospital’s police box for questioning. Upon searching his bag, officers recovered a 3-3 rifle cartridge, a sharp knife, two steel hooks, and three sewing needles. The matter was immediately reported to Kotwali police station. Inspector (Investigation) Kazi Babul of Kotwali Police Station said the inquiry is ongoing to determine why Rasel was carrying these items inside the hospital, whether he had any criminal intent, or if he was planning any sabotage.

After more than 10 hours, rescuers were yet to rescue two-year-old Sajid, who fell into a deep well in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi. Fire Service teams are continuing the rescue operation with three units deployed to the site. As of 11:30pm Wednesday, the child had not been retrieved. Fire Service officials said local attempts to rescue the boy may have caused soil to collapse on him, making it impossible to spot him even with cameras. So far, soil has been removed up to a depth of 25 feet. Earlier around 1pm, Sajid fell about 30–35 feet into the open entrance of a well while walking behind his mother on their way home in the Koelhat village of the upazila. Rescue operations began at 1.45pm after locals informed the Fire Service. Sajid’s mother, Runa Khatun, said she was taking her elder son Sajid by the hand across a field near their home while carrying her younger child. “Suddenly, Sajid called out ‘Ma, Ma.’ When I turned, I saw him fall into a hole covered with straw. He slipped further down before anyone could reach him,” she said. Didarul Alam, Assistant Director of the Rajshahi Fire Service, said they arrived at 2.30pm and observed that soil had already been disturbed by local rescue attempts. Until 4pm, some responses could be heard from Sajid, but later the child’s cries could no longer be detected due to commotion at the site. Oxygen is being supplied into the well to support the child. Local administration and political leaders have inspected the rescue operation, describing the incident as extremely tragic. Officials noted that warning signs or barriers should have been placed near the deep well to prevent such accidents.

A young member of the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed labour wing was hacked to death in Rajshahi city on Wednesday evening, police said. The victim, Shanto, 26, son of Md Hasnat of Alimganj Purba Para, was a worker of the Kashiadanga thana unit of the Shramik Kalyan Federation. The attack took place around 6:30pm in the Alimganj Purba Para area, said Abdul Malek, officer-in-charge of Rajpara Police Station. Shanto was stabbed indiscriminately in what police believe was a fallout of previous enmity. Critically wounded, Shanto was rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital by local residents, but doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. Shankar K. Biswas, the hospital’s spokesperson, confirmed that Shanto had suffered multiple stab injuries and had died before reaching the facility. His body has been kept in the morgue for autopsy. OC Abdul Malek stated that police are investigating the incident, although no formal complaint has yet been filed. After completing the post-mortem and legal procedures, the body will be handed over to the family. The murder sparked tension in the surrounding area, prompting authorities to deploy additional police to ensure security and maintain public order.

The Chattogram Press Club on Wednesday announced its executive committee for the 2025–26 term, electing Daily Amar Desh Resident Editor Jahidul Karim Kachi as president and Baishakhi TV bureau chief Golam Maula Murad as general secretary. Chief Election Commissioner Saifullah Chowdhury declared the full committee during the second phase of the anniversary event of the club’s interim committee, held at the Karnaphuli Hall of the press club. Former general secretary and editor of Daily People’s View Osman Gani Monsur, NTV bureau chief Shamsul Haque Haidary, former senior vice president Kazi Abul Monsur, and election committee members Shishir Barua and Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman were present, among others. The new committee includes Mustafa Naeem of Kaler Kantho as senior vice president, and Daisy Maudud, bureau chief of Dainik Bangla, as vice president. The joint secretary post went to Mia Md Arif, special correspondent of BSS, while ATN Bangla senior reporter Abul Hasnat was elected treasurer. Rupom Chakraborty of Portrait News was chosen as cultural secretary, Cbarta24 editor Rubel Khan as sports secretary, former Islamic TV bureau chief Md Shahidul Islam as library secretary, Dinkal bureau chief Hasan Mukul as social welfare and hospitality secretary, and Dainik Purbodesh senior reporter Faruk Abdullah as publicity and publications secretary. Executive members elected are Saleh Noman of Times of Bangladesh, Rafiqul Islam Selim, deputy bureau chief of Daily Inqilab, UNB Chattogram correspondent and Ekattor TV bureau chief Saiful Islam Shilpi, and NTV senior reporter Arich Ahmed Shah.

A two-year-old boy became trapped inside an abandoned deep well in Koelhat village of Pachander Union in Tanor upazila of Rajshahi on Wednesday afternoon. Sajid, son of Rakib, fell into the 35-feet-deep pipe while playing near his home in Koelhat Purbapara village. Locals initially tried to rescue him before informing the Fire Service. Fire Service personnel are conducting a rescue operation to save the child, said Tanor police station officer-in-charge Shahinuzzaman. Eyewitnesses said they could hear the child’s voice from inside the pipe, indicating that he is still alive. However, rescue efforts are being hampered by the narrow and deep structure of the well, according to the Fire Service. A specialized rescue team from Chapainawabganj has also joined the operation to assist in freeing the child. The Fire Service assured they are doing their utmost to ensure Sajid’s safe rescue.

Four people, including Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, special assistant to BNP Chairperson and party-nominated candidate for Pabna-5 seat, were injured in a collision between a truck and a microbus in Atgharia upazila of Pabna on Tuesday evening. The accident occurred around 6pm in Ekdanto area while Shimul Biswas was traveling to attend an election meeting of BNP nominee Habibur Rahman Habib in Pabna-4. The remaining injured are Biswas’s personal assistant Enamur Rahman, Bera upazila BNP member secretary Rais Uddin, and the microbus driver Shafiq. All injured were admitted to Pabna General Hospital. Former district BNP office secretary Zahurul Islam said Shimul Biswas had earlier attended a programme of BNP nominee AKM Selim Reza Habib in Sujanagar. On the way, the microbus carrying him collided head-on with a truck coming from the opposite direction in Ekdanto. BNP condemns alleged Jamaat attack on electioneering in Pabna Among the injured, Enamur and Rais were admitted in serious condition while Shimul Biswas sustained an eye injury and received primary treatment. Dr. Zahidul Islam, residential medical officer at Pabna General Hospital, said three of the injured were brought to the hospital, one with an eye injury caused by glass, another with a head injury, and one with a knee injury. Their treatment is ongoing, he added.