United News of Bangladesh

At least 35 people were detained in overnight special raids conducted by the Task Force in the Ershad Nagar and Haji Mazar slum areas of Tongi in Gazipur ahead of the national elections, officials said. During the operations, the authorities also recovered one kilogram of heroin, 347 Yaba tablets, domestic weapons, and three hand grenades, District Administration Executive Magistrate Abu Bakkar Siddique said. The detainees were later handed over to Tongi East and West police stations. They will be formally produced in court later in the afternoon, the magistrate added. Magistrate Siddique, who led the raids, said the operations were carried out with the cooperation of the army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel, police, and the dog squad. The Task Force raids will continue until the elections to maintain law and order, he added.  

In the last two years, Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested 57 bandits and recovered 43 firearms in operations across the Sundarbans, the Coast Guard Headquarters said. Of the total, 49 bandits were arrested in 2025 alone, compared to only eight in 2024. During the period, the Coast Guard also seized five hand grenades, 78 indigenous weapons, and a large quantity of ammunition and weapons-making equipment. In 2025, 448 cartridges were recovered, and 52 men and women were rescued from hostage situations. In 2024, the recovered items included five firearms and yaba tablets. The Coast Guard said at least 27 successful operations were conducted in the Sundarbans over the past year. These led to the arrest of active members of around 10 robber groups, including Achabur Bahini, Hannan Bahini, Anarul Bahini, Manju Bahini, and Ranga Bahini. Coast Guard Commander Lt. Col. Siam said patrols and operations have been further strengthened to keep the Sundarbans free of robbers and ensure the safety of tourists and forest dwellers.  

A Dhaka court on Wednesday placed Md Rubel Ahmed, an accused in the murder case of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi, on a six-day remand. Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order after a hearing in the afternoon. Earlier, the investigation officer of the case, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan, produced the accused before the court and sought a 10-day remand for interrogation. However, no lawyer representing the defence was present during the hearing. According to the case statement, Sharif Osman Bin Hadi had been serving as the spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, a political and cultural platform formed in the aftermath of the uprising. On December 12, at around 2:20pm, assailants riding a motorcycle shot Hadi on Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station before fleeing the scene. He sustained critical gunshot wounds to his head and below his right ear. Hadi was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Evercare Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment on December 15. He succumbed to his injuries on December 18 while undergoing treatment there. Following the incident, Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed an attempted murder case with Paltan Police Station on December 14. The case was later converted into a murder case after Hadi’s death.

Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Lalbagh Division arrested an alleged arms trader along with two foreign pistols and 21 rounds of ammunition on the Dhaka–Mawa highway in the capital’s Shyampur area. The arrestee was identified as Azgar Ali alias Bhola (55). Deputy Commissioner (DB-Lalbagh Division) Branch Md Mostak Sarkar disclosed all this while briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Thursday afternoon. During the briefing he said a team of DB Lalbagh division was deployed in the Chankharpul area on Thursday morning as part of a special operation. Based on intelligence, the team came to know that an arms dealer was entering Dhaka by a Sohag Paribahan bus. Following the tip-off, the DB team took position in front of Bonoful Sweets shop on the Dhaka–Mawa highway in West Dholairpar of Shyampur around 1:30pm. At one stage about 1:40pm, they signalled a Sohag Paribahan bus coming from Benapole to stop and conducted a search in the presence of the bus supervisor and helper. During the search, detectives identified the suspect following the intelligence information and conducted a body search. A silver-coloured foreign pistol and two silver-coloured magazines wrapped with black tape were recovered from one side of his waist. Another black-coloured pistol and two black magazines wrapped with plastic tape were recovered from the other side. Mostak Sarkar said no incriminating items were found in the bag the suspect was carrying. However, 21 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from his trouser pocket. During preliminary interrogation, Azgar said he hails from the Benapole area of Jashore district. Police said he has a previous arms case filed with Khilgaon Police Station in 2021 and was arrested in 2024 by Savar Police Station with a large quantity of phensedyl. Police suspect he is an arms trader, though details about the source of the weapons and the intended buyers in Dhaka are yet to be known. Responding to a question on whether the arms were brought to Dhaka centring the upcoming election, the DB official said it was not possible to say specifically if they were linked to the election. He also said that the primary objective of such illegal arms is to deteriorate law and order, and further interrogation would reveal the source and intended recipients of the weapons.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a man for allegedly defrauding and blackmailing a Bangladeshi woman living in the United States through a fake marriage, extorting more than Tk 1.5 crore from her. The arrestee was identified as Md Salauddin, 29, of Satkania upazila in Chattogram. Members of the Cyber Intelligence and Risk Management Team of the Cyber Police Center (CPC) arrested him from the Lohagara area of Chattogram on Tuesday, said CID Special Superintendent Jasim Uddin Khan on Wednesday. Based on information provided by the accused, a mobile phone and SIM card used in the crime were recovered, the CID said. According to investigators, Salauddin introduced himself on Facebook as “Nadim Ahmed Suman,” posing as a Canada-based widower. He contacted the victim through a Facebook marriage media page titled “BCCB Matrimonial: Heavenly Match.” To gain her trust, he allegedly arranged video calls in which two individuals were presented as his mother and sister. The CID said the accused later conducted a so-called marriage with the victim over a phone call and, promising to travel to the United States, repeatedly sought financial assistance from her. At one stage, he secretly recorded objectionable video footage of the victim during video calls and threatened to spread the content online unless money was paid. Through prolonged blackmail and intimidation, Salauddin allegedly collected about USD 125,000—equivalent to approximately Tk 1.54 crore—via bank transfers and mobile financial services, according to a CID press release. The victim’s brother filed a case with Mirpur Model Police Station under the Penal Code and the Pornography Control Act, 2012. During the probe, the CID found that Salauddin had previous cases involving similar offences. In preliminary interrogation, he reportedly admitted to defrauding 80 to 85 women using the same method. The CID also said that police had earlier submitted a charge sheet against him in a case filed at Mohammadpur Police Station under the Pornography Control Act. After securing bail in that case, he allegedly resumed committing similar crimes.

The High Court on Wednesday rejected a writ petition filed by BNP candidate of Cumilla-4 constituency Monzurul Ahsan Munshi challenging the Election Commission’s decision barring him from contesting the national election. The HC bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam passed the order after hearing the petition. The HC bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam passed the order after hearing the petition. Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal stood for Manzurul while Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq and Advocate Mohamamd Hossain Lipu represented NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah. Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu said BNP candidate Monzurul Ahsan Munshi is a loan defaulter and concealed the information in the nomination paper. On January 17, the Election Commission cancelled Monzurul’s candidacy while upholding that of Hasnat Abdullah. The BNP candidate filed the writ petition on January 19 challenging the EC’s decision.  

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the commencement of trial against ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former state minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak in a crimes against humanity case over the killings during July-August mass uprising.  A three-member panel of ICT-1 led by Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder passed the order on Wednesday after framing charges against the two accused. Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud then read out the three charges brought by the prosecution, following which the tribunal formally framed the charges, paving the way for the start of trial. The tribunal fixed February 18 for opening statements and recording of testimonies. Read More: Chankharpul massacre verdict deferred to Jan 26 Among the two accused, Palak is in custody and was produced before the tribunal from jail in the morning. Joy is being represented by state-appointed lawyer Manzur Alam.  On January 15, the ICT fixed January 21 for framing charges against them. Three allegations brought against them in the case are Palak incited violence through a Facebook post on the night of July 14, 2024 as per the instructions from Joy. Following the alleged provocation, police along with armed members of the Awami League and its student wing banned Chhatra League carried out attacks on protesters at Dhaka University and several other locations on July 15. Besides, the accused encouraged the shutdown of internet services and instigated the use of lethal weapons while also providing assistance in acts of killing that left 28 people, including Russel and Mosleh Uddin killed. The third charge relates to their role in facilitating 34 killings in Uttara. On December 10, last year, ICT asked the authorities concerned to issue notice in national dailies asking Joy to surrender before the tribunal. Read More: War crimes convict Abul Kalam Azad surrenders to ICT

Abul Kalam Azad, a fugitive sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War, surrendered to the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday. Azad applied to the Ministry of Home Affairs last year seeking a stay of his sentence under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2013 by International Crimes Tribunal-2. The tribunal found Azad guilty on seven of eight charges of crimes against humanity. Three of the charges carried the death penalty. The tribunal did not impose separate punishments for the remaining four charges as the death sentence superseded them. One charge was dismissed due to lack of sufficient evidence. According to the verdict, Azad was involved in the killing of 14 people, the rape of three women, the abduction of nine persons, detention of 10 individuals, arson attacks on five houses and looting of 15 homes during the Liberation War. Azad remained a fugitive at the time and could not be produced before the court. Law enforcement sources said he fled to Pakistan via India before an arrest warrant could be issued. The trial proceedings concluded on December 26, 2012, after the completion of arguments from both sides, with the verdict delivered later in his absence.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Tuesday said that around 150,000 police personnel are being provided with election-related training for the first time ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections. He said the training programme will be completed within this month. The IGP made the remarks during a courtesy call paid by a three-member delegation of UNESCO at the Police Headquarters. The delegation included UNESCO Bangladesh Office Country Director Dr Susan Vize and Team Leader of the Rule of Law and Freedom of Expression Section at UNESCO Headquarters Mehdi Benchelah. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, during which issues such as strengthening constructive and professional relations between police and journalists, rule of law, freedom of expression, and UNESCO’s role in preventing misinformation and disinformation were discussed. The UNESCO delegation reiterated the organisation’s global mandate to promote freedom of expression, safety of journalists and access to information. They also proposed organising training programmes on fact-checking for journalists and relevant stakeholders to enhance mutual trust and professionalism between police and the media. Highlighting the importance of fact-checking in preventing misinformation, disinformation and rumours, the UNESCO delegation members said such training would help safeguard public interest and support crisis management. Welcoming the delegation, the IGP briefed them on the country’s prevailing law and order situation, police preparations for the upcoming national parliamentary elections and other related issues. He also outlined the overall measures taken to maintain peace and order during the election period. Additional Inspector General of Police (Special Branch) Md Golam Rasul and other concerned police officials were present at the meeting.

Noting that the Jungle Salimpur area in Chattogram has become a ‘safe haven’ for armed criminals, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion, AKM Shahidur Rahman, on Tuesday said hideout of terrorists will be dismantled soon.  “The terrorist den in Jungle Salimpur, which has become a hub of illegal activities, will be crushed and completely dismantled. This is our commitment,” the RAB chief said. The RAB DG came up with the remark while talking to reporters after attending the namaz-e-janaza of slain RAB officer Motaleb Hossain, held at RAB-7 headquarters in Patenga in the afternoon. Earlier on Monday, Motaleb Hossain, a Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of RAB-7 was killed and three others were injured in a gun attack by armed criminals while on a drive to recover illegal arms in the hilly area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda. Motaleb Hossain, a Nayeb Subedar in the Army on deputation at RAB, had embraced martyrdom in the line of duty, he said. Those who were responsible for the killing would be brought to justice and RAB will continue to monitor the case until the judicial process is completed, he added. Expressing deep sympathy for the bereaved family, the RAB DG said the loss suffered by Motaleb’s family is irreparable. RAB will take responsibility for his family and ensure that they do not become helpless in any way, he said. Referring to the Jungle Salimpur, RAB DG said it was unacceptable that the area has turned into a safe place for criminals. “Those living there illegally and those involved with illegal weapons will soon face action. A drive will be launched there,” he said. Since June–August 2024, the elite force arrested many terrorists and recovered a large cache of weapons. Every operation carries its own risks, said RAB DG. Mentioning Monday’s incident as an exceptional situation, the RAB chief said considering the circumstances and the potential risk to civilians, RAB members refrained from opening fire at that time. The entire incident would be thoroughly investigated and any shortcomings identified would be addressed to ensure more effective operations in the future, he said. The elite force already identified several individuals involved in the attack and they will be arrested, he added. RAB would continue to work with full force to maintain law and order in the country and carry out their duty to ensure public safety by taking risks, he said. CCTV footage circulating on social media shows RAB members arriving in two white microbuses, after which several people were gathered through loudspeaker announcements and carried out an attack on the force. The video also shows the microbuses being vandalised. A tense situation has been prevailing in the area after the incident. Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order situation.