United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday (November 30) said the government will ensure justice for all members of the Army, Navy and Air Force who faced discrimination, deprivation and oppression during the previous regime. He made the remarks after receiving a report from the committee formed to review applications of retired and dismissed officers who suffered injustice between 2009 and August 4, 2024, and to submit recommendations at the State Guest House Jamuna. “When I assigned you to do this work, I thought there might have been some minor irregularities. But the complete picture you have presented is truly horrific. It is beyond imagination,” the Chief Adviser said. He thanked the committee members for revealing the truth with professionalism and sincerity. Committee Chairman and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defense and National Integration Development, Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Hafiz, and members Maj Gen (Retd) Mohammad Shamsul Huda, Maj Gen (Retd) Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, Rear Adm (Retd) Muhammad Shafiul Azam and Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Muhammad Shafqat Ali attended the meeting. Read more: BDR Mutiny: Probe body says Hasina had 'green signal' for entire incident The committee received 733 applications, scrutinised them, and selected 145 for recommendations. Committee Chairman Abdul Hafiz said the committee held its first meeting on August 19, 2025, and invited applications through the Central Officers’ Record Office, ISPR, RAWA, and various media platforms until September 21, 2025. He said that in almost all cases, the dossiers of the affected officers contained no record of moral turpitude or serious allegations, despite the punishments imposed by boards formed under the previous regime. Recommendations were made after reviewing board findings, application details and interviews with officers, including phone consultations with former commanders. The investigation revealed several grave incidents. Six officers were allegedly kept in illegal confinement for periods ranging from one to eight years because of their relatives’ political affiliations or suspected militancy links—something described as unprecedented in Bangladesh’s history. One retired officer was reportedly murdered in a staged militancy incident, and his wife was jailed for two six-year terms without trial along with their one-year-old child. Some officers were allegedly targeted for speaking out about the government’s inaction during the BDR massacre on February 25, 2009. Five were reportedly tortured after being implicated in a fabricated assassination attempt on then MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. Five others were dismissed from DGFI on false or baseless charges during the 1/11 caretaker government. The committee also found that officers assigned by the army chief to question the then prime minister in court after the BDR massacre were wrongly blamed amid chaos in the courtroom and dismissed without an opportunity to defend themselves. Four junior officers were also dismissed for allegedly belonging to a particular group or being labelled militants simply for practicing religious rituals. In its final report, the committee recommended action for 114 Army officers, 19 Navy officers, and 12 Air Force officers who were deprived or discriminated against. The recommendations include granting normal retirement, promotion, pre-retirement promotion, arrears of pay and allowances, and other applicable benefits. Read more: BDR mutiny a planned conspiracy to destabilise Bangladesh: Inquiry Commission chief Four Army officers were recommended for reinstatement into service. Md. Ashraf Uddin and Military Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, were also present at the meeting.

The government of Bangladesh has once again extended the magistracy power of commissioned officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force until February 28, 2026, with effect from November 12 (Wednesday). The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification to this effect on Tuesday (November 11). Read more: Armed forces' magistracy powers extended by 60 days According to the notification, commissioned officers holding the rank of captain and above in the Bangladesh Armed Forces have been granted special executive magistrate powers across the country. Army officers serving on deputation in the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also been vested with the same authority. The interim government initially granted the magistracy power to commissioned army officers on September 17 last year for 60 days to improve law and order. It was subsequently extended on January 12, March 13, May 13 and July 13 this year. Read more: Govt vows to protect interfaith unity, communal harmony

The government has designated a building within Dhaka Cantonment to serve as a temporary jail. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard on Sunday, a day after announcing that 15 army officers wanted by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for alleged crimes against humanity were taken into army custody. The Bangladesh Army on Saturday said 15 officers, against whom arrest warrants were issued for alleged involvement in disappearances and crimes against humanity, were taken into custody. Bangladesh Army takes 15 officers into custody Among them, 14 are serving officers and one is an officer in the LPR, and another officer did not respond to notice, said Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, while briefing reporters at a press conference in Dhaka Cantonment. The ICT on Wednesday issued warrants for the arrests of 30 individuals in two cases of crimes against humanity involving the disappearance and torture of opposition figures during the Awami League regime. Of the 30 accused, 17 face charges related to torture at the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell of RAB, and 13 are accused of torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC).

The government on Friday clarified that the recent remarks made by Major General (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman on his personal social media account were expressed solely in a personal capacity.  "The comments do not reflect the position or policies of the government of Bangladesh and as such the government neither endorses nor shares such rhetoric in any form or manner," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in media  release.  The government of Bangladesh urged all concerned to refrain from associating the government of Bangladesh to the personal comments made by Major General (Retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman.  No info on religious-based visa rejections for students by Poland: MoFA Bangladesh remains firmly committed to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence of all nations, said the Ministry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, did mention what Fazlur Rahman wrote on social media account.       

All the gates of the Bangladesh Secretariat, the hub of government administration, were closed on Thursday  after last night's huge fire at the building number 7. The fire that swept through the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the building was brought under control early Thursday after six hours of efforts. Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat building brought under control after six hours Nineteen units of fire service took part in the fight to tame the blaze. Army and paramilitary BGB members were deployed at the gates besides a large number of law enforcers as many office goers were seen waiting to enter their offices. Huge fire engulfs Secretariat's Building No.7 Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Housing and Public Works and Industrial Affairs Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan visited the spot.

In a gesture of solidarity and support for victims of the July-August uprising, Bangladesh Army has agreed to waive the venue charges for a charity concert organised by Dhaka University students. The event, scheduled for December 21, at the Army Stadium, aims to raise funds for the families of those killed and injured during the uprising, according to ISPR. The concert is being organised under the Spirit of July platform, which was founded to remember the victims and provide ongoing assistance to their families. Bangladesh, Indian armed forces unite to commemorate Victory Day All proceeds from the event will go to the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting the martyrs' families and those affected. In addition, the army has made special arrangements to ease potential traffic congestion around the event. To ensure smooth access to Dhaka airport and minimize public suffering, vehicles carrying air passengers coming from Dhanmondi and Farmgate will be allowed to enter the Cantonment area through Jahangir Gate. These vehicles will be permitted to proceed to Dhaka airport via CMH and Zia Colony, subject to passengers showing their flight tickets. This special route will be available from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm on December 21, 2024. Ambulances carrying patients will also be given priority to use this route during the same hours, added ISPR.

Three militants of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) have been killed in a gunfight with the Bangladesh Army on Sunday in the dense forests of Ruma upazila in Bandarban district. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army initiated the operation based on a tip-off about the location of a clandestine hideout used by the KNF. The firefight broke out when Army personnel raided the hideout deep in the jungle. The identities of the three deceased militants have not been confirmed yet. During the operation, a cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the site, the ISPR release mentioned. Read: Huge arms, ammunition recovered KNF den in Bandarban: ISPR The military operation is still ongoing as the Army continues its efforts to neutralise the insurgent group in the region. The KNF, a separatist organisation operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, has been involved in various violent activities, including attacks on security forces and civilians, as part of their quest for an autonomous state for the Kuki-Chin ethnic group.

Buddhists across the country, including in Dhaka, Chattogram, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, and Ramus, are peacefully celebrating their second-largest religious festival, Prabarana Purnima, with the appropriate solemnity. In honour of this occasion, a week-long series of programmes has been organised in Buddhist villages and townships, as stated in a press release from ISPR. During the festival, the Bangladesh Army is on duty in both the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the plains to ensure an atmosphere of peace, order, and harmony. Earlier, on 10 October, a delegation from the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation held a courtesy meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman at army headquarters. During this meeting, the army chief pledged to provide financial and security assistance for the celebrations in the three hill districts for both Prabarana Purnima and the Kothin Chibor Dan events. He also assured that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure security during the festivities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Subsequently, the Army Chief presented a cheque for Tk 1 crore on behalf of the Bangladesh Army to the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, according to the release. Additionally, the army has coordinated with other forces to ensure the security of the upcoming month-long Kothin Chibor Dan event.

The Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman said on Tuesday that the Army has provided shelter to individuals whose lives were in danger, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. He emphasized that the current government is seeking to implement some reforms and hold a free and fair election, and the Army is fully committed to supporting them in achieving these goals. He made these remarks during a briefing at Rajshahi Cantonment on Tuesday afternoon. In response to a question about whether the detained Awami League leaders from airports or border posts would be formally arrested, the army chief said that while the army has provided shelter to those whose lives were threatened, anyone against whom there are legal allegations will face justice. He stressed that the army is committed to preventing any extrajudicial actions against these individuals. Read more: Money launderers won’t be allowed to sleep in peace: New Bangladesh Bank Governor The army chief also highlighted the importance of recovering weapons looted from the police. Several have already been recovered, and the search is ongoing and expressed his hope that the remaining weapons would also be recovered soon. General Waker reassured that the situation has stabilized and is now under control, thanks to the combined efforts of all parties involved and also acknowledged the support received from the media and expressed gratitude for their cooperation. He noted that the police are currently under some stress but are gradually resuming their duties effectively. The army continues to provide protection to the police, and once the situation normalizes further, the army will return to its cantonment. Until then, the army will remain engaged. Regarding concerns about possible harsh measures similar to "Operation Clean Heart" or the "One-Eleven" political interventions, he assured that the army will not adopt such strict approaches. Instead, the army is committed to fully supporting the government’s efforts to implement reforms and ensure a free and fair election. Addressing questions about foreign pressure, the army chief confirmed that there is no external pressure, although there has been some discussion concerning minority issues. He mentioned that around 30 incidents related to minority unrest have occurred in 20 districts, but none in the eight districts of the Rajshahi division, which is a positive sign. The army aims to maintain the peaceful environment and continue working towards the country’s progress. On the matter of army vehicles being burned in Gopalganj, the army chief described it as a misunderstanding. The situation is now normal, and dialogue has been established with the local leaders. He assured that those responsible for the incident would be investigated and brought to justice. Earlier, the army chief held a meeting with administrative officials in the Rajshahi region to discuss the situation. Present at the meeting were Dr. Dewan Mohammad Humayun Kabir, Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi; Anisur Rahman, DIG of Rajshahi Range; Bipul Vijay Talukdar, Metropolitan Police Commissioner; and Shami Ahmed, District Commissioner of Rajshahi, along with officials from RAB-5 and BGB. Read more: Sheikh Hasina, 24 others sued over student killed in Dhaka’s Mirpur during protest

Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed returned home on Sunday after a 3-day official visit to Qatar. During the 3-day official visit, the Army Chief enjoyed the semi-final and final games of the '18th AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™' held in Qatar and observed various events of the 'World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024'. Shab-e-Barat on February 25 Besides, the army chief also participated in bilateral meetings with representatives from different countries and discussed various issues of mutual cooperation, says an Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate media release. Anita Ghazi Rahman joins Brac Bank as independent director The Chief of Army Staff went to Qatar on February 7 at the invitation of Qatar Olympic Committee and President of Local Organizing Committee Joan Bin Hamad Al-Thani.