United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 14, 2025) voiced concern that incidents similar to the gun attack on Sharif Osman Hadi may recur, warning that the enemies of Bangladesh are once again resorting to targeted killings in an attempt to destabilise the country. “When Bangladesh is seeing a new sun and moving towards a new chapter, and when the people of Bangladesh are dreaming of building a democratic country through a fair election, at that very time its enemies have once again indulged in a killing spree,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying tributes to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur in the morning. He said their party strongly condemned the attack on Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. “We fear that similar incidents may happen again,” Fakhrul said. Read more: What we know about at least one of Hadi's would-be assassins Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka on Friday, a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, leaving him seriously injured. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital with a bullet injury to his head. Recalling the history of December 14, Fakhrul said when the defeat of the Pakistani occupation forces became inevitable and the Liberation War forces surrounded Dhaka, the occupation army, with the help of their collaborators, abducted and killed the nation’s brightest minds to destroy Bangladesh intellectually. “They picked up university teachers, doctors, researchers, writers, journalists and many others and killed them. It was a planned massacre aimed at making the nation intellectually weak,” he said. Fakhrul said the nation remembers this painful history every year on this day. Read more: Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile On behalf of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently ill, and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, he said they came to the memorial to pay homage to the martyred intellectuals, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day. “We have taken an oath that, at any cost, we will protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and move the democratic journey forward,” Fakhrul said. He paid deep respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and democracy, and also remembered BNP founder and proclaimer of independence, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, for his role in bringing fundamental changes to Bangladesh. The BNP leader also remembered the young people who were killed during the mass uprising in 2024. BNP senior leaders and leaders and activists of its Dhaka city units and affiliated organisations were present there. Read more: Roots of Hadi's would-be assassins to be uprooted: Attorney General

Discussions are intensifying on social media regarding the identity of one of the would-be assassins of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson and Dhaka-8 prospective independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, following the release of a suspect’s photograph by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). On Saturday (December 14, 2025), the DMP published a photograph of a suspected assailant involved in the attack and urged the public to provide any information that could help identify or locate the person. Since the attack, various claims about the attacker’s identity have circulated online. Digital investigative outlet The Dissent published a report using OSINT tools (open source intelligence) that identified the suspected shooter as an activist of the banned Chhatra League from the capital's Adabor area. According to The Dissent, the claim was made after a comparative analysis of multiple photographs, including CCTV footage gathered from police, images of the person seen shooting Hadi, images from Hadi’s election campaign, and footage of an individual seen at the Inquilab Cultural Centre on December 9. Read more: Hadi remains in critical condition, injury to brain stem; ventilator support continues The outlet reported that the individual appearing in all three incidents closely resembles a person named Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan. It said facial similarities were found after analyzing CCTV footage from the Inquilab Cultural Center dated December 9, police-collected CCTV footage from the December 12 attack, photographs published by mainstream media, and more than 50 images posted on Facebook and Instagram accounts under the name Faisal Karim Masud, as well as posts from pro-Awami League pages and individuals. The Dissent further stated that verification using two facial detection applications showed a match between Faisal Karim’s images and the person visible in the CCTV footage from the Inquilab Cultural Center. Their investigation also identified Karim as an ex-leader of Chhatra League, who held a post in the organisation's Adabor unit. A notable detail highlighted was a distinctive wristwatch seen on the shooter’s left hand, which closely matches the same design of wristwatch worn by Faisal Karim Masud in multiple photos found on his Facebook and Instagram profiles. In November 2024, several mainstream media outlets published reports with photographs of Faisal Karim, stating that he had been arrested by RAB as the prime accused in an armed robbery case involving the looting of Tk 1.7 million from an office in Adabor, Mohammadpur. However, he was later released on bail. Read more: Rizvi calls gun attack on Hadi a planned conspiracy, seeks fair probe Separately, Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera’s investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer wrote in a Facebook post that one person involved in the shooting of Osman Hadi had been identified. He too named the individual as Faisal Karim Masud (alias Daud bin Faisal), describing him as a former Chhatra League vice-president of Dhaka North and former president of Adabor Chhatra League. The post further claimed that Faisal Karim was seated next to Osman Hadi at a meeting on December 9, 2025, and is known as a close associate of Awami League leaders Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the ex-home minister who is now a fugitive in India. Meanwhile, UNB was able to access a Facebook account operated under the name “Faisal Karim Daud Khan”, in which the person in the profile picture closely resembles the person in the images released by DMP, and identified by The Dissent and Zulkarnain. Older photos in the account indicate his affiliation with Chhatra League and the Awami League. The account includes photos with ex-president Abdul Hamid, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, ex-foreign and education minister Dipu Moni, and other Awami League and Chhatra League leaders. Additionally, Faisal Karim Daud Khan’s name appears as a member in the full central committee of Chhatra League announced on May 11, 2019. Posts congratulating him on receiving the position were also found on Facebook. In the 11th national parliamentary election in 2018, Chhatra League formed a constituency-based election management and coordination committee. Faisal Karim was listed as a member of the coordination committee for Dhaka-12 constituency, where the Awami League candidate Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. A post congratulating Faisal included an image of the approved committee members on an AL official pad.   Read more: Now Hadi’s village home in Jhalokathi looted Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have continued operations to confirm the suspect’s identity. Officials said the individual was identified through analysis of CCTV footage, and the DMP has again urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. The Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has announced a reward of Tk 5 million for information leading to the arrest of the person who shot Osman Hadi. Earlier on Friday, around 2:15 pm, Osman Hadi was shot by assailants while travelling in a rickshaw in front of the water tank in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. Two individuals on a motorcycle drew level with Hadi's rickshaw before one fired at him from close range. The bike then sped away. Hadi was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to Evercare Hospital in the capital, where he is currently receiving advanced ICU support. Read more: Fakhrul warns of ‘targeted killings’ after gun attack on Hadi

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Saturday (December 13, 2025) released a photograph of a suspect involved in the gun attack on Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and urged people to share any information about the suspect. A suspect has been identified preliminarily through analysis of CCTV footage collected from the scene, said a DMP media release signed by Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Police Commissioner. Fakhrul urges govt to ensure law and order after Hadi shooting Osman Hadi was seriously injured when a group of assailants opened fire on him in the Box Culvert area of Bijoynagar in the capital. A major operation is underway in Dhaka to arrest those involved in the attack, it said. Anyone having information about the suspect or his whereabouts has been requested to contact the police immediately by dialing the national emergency number 999 or calling the following numbers: DC Motijheel at 01320040080 and OC Paltan at 01320040132. Prof Yunus terms attack on Hadi a planned strike on Bangladesh’s democratic path The identities of informants will be kept secret, and suitable rewards will be given for credible information, the release added.

A man was shot dead and two others, including one with bullets, were injured in a clash between two rival factions of local BNP in Mollakandi union of Munshiganj Sadar upazila early Monday (10th November 2025). The incident took place just eight days after another BNP activist was shot dead in a clash between the same groups in the area on November 2. The deceased was identified as Arif Mir, 35, a resident of Chardumuria village under Mollakandi union and a BNP activist. One of the injured, Imran, Arif’s paternal cousin, sustained bullet wounds and was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after receiving first aid at Munshiganj General Hospital. Read more: Five BNP men wounded in Raozan gun attack Locals said the clash erupted from a longstanding dispute between Arif, an associate of former union BNP vice-president Awlad Hossain, and Shah Kamal, a follower of district BNP convening committee member Atik Mallik and current union BNP president Ohid Mollah. On November 2, supporters of the Awlad group allegedly fired on members of the Kamal group, killing one of their activists, Tuhin. Following the killing, members of the Kamal group had fled the area but tried to return on Monday morning, triggering the latest clash around 6am. Hearing gunfire and screams, locals rushed to the spot, rescued the injured, and took them to Munshiganj General Hospital, where doctors declared Arif dead upon arrival. Gunfight between two BNP factions leaves youth dead in Munshiganj Dr Ruhul Amin, a physician at the hospital’s emergency department, confirmed that Arif was brought dead and said one of the injured had been referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. The other injured is receiving treatment at the hospital. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar Police Station M Saiful Alam said police rushed to the scene soon after the incident and additional forces were deployed to bring the situation under control. Locals said tension has been running high in the area since Tuhin’s killing on November 2. Read more: Some political parties’ actions may endanger people’s rights, warns Tarique

Five activists of the BNP sustained bullet injuries in a gun attack allegedly carried out by rivals over establishing dominance in Raozan upazila of Chattogram district on Wednesday (5th November 2025) night. The incident occurred around 11:45pm in Chowdhurypara area under Ward No. 4 of Bagowan union, according to police and locals. The injured were identified as Abdullah Sumon, general secretary of the upazila unit of Sramik Dal, and activists Ismail, Khorshed, Rubel and Sohel. Of them, Sumon’s condition is reported to be critical. All five are currently undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). Locals said a group of unidentified assailants arrived on motorcycles and in a car before opening fire indiscriminately on the BNP men. Hearing their screams, residents rushed to the scene and rescued the injured, taking them to CMCH. One killed, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah injured in Ctg gun attack Locals alleged that police reached the spot about an hour and a half after the shooting, which caused panic in the area. They claimed that the attack stemmed from a conflict between two local BNP factions over establishing supremacy. Md Jabbar, a local resident, said the assailants fled the scene soon after the attack. Raozan Upazila BNP president Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said the victims were returning home after attending a preparatory meeting ahead of the party’s observance of ‘Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on November 7. He said nine to ten armed men ambushed the BNP and affiliated activists in Bagowan Kuiyapara Chowdhurypara area, adding that Sumon’s condition remained critical. The officer-in-charge of Raozan Police Station could not be reached despite repeated attempts. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Belayet Hossain of the Raozan–Rangunia Circle said police had been deployed in the area to prevent any further untoward incidents, and an investigation was underway. Earlier in the day, BNP’s Chattogram-8 candidate Ershad Ullah was shot and injured during a campaign event in the city’s Bayezid area, where one of his associates, Sarwar Babla, was killed. Prof Yunus orders security forces to hunt down attackers behind Ctg violence On October 25, local Jubo Dal leader Md Alamgir Alam was killed in a similar gun attack in the same upazila. Meanwhile, at least 17 people have been killed in the upazila over the past year, including 12 BNP activists, four Chhatra and Jubo League men, and one expatriate.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has directed the security forces to spare no effort in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators and to bring them swiftly to justice, stressing that violence and intimidation have no place in our political and social life. "The CMP has already launched a manhunt for the attackers," he said. The interim government on Wednesday (5th November 2025) strongly condemned the violent attack at an election campaign event of Ershad Ullah, the nominated candidate of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for Chattogram-8. In a statement, the government called upon all political actors and their supporters to uphold calm, show restraint and ensure that the February general election takes place in an atmosphere of peace, dignity, and fairness. Read more: Five BNP men wounded in Raozan gun attack "The government will do its part by taking all necessary measures to guarantee the secure and peaceful conditions required for free, fair, credible and festive elections across Bangladesh," said the statement issued by the Chief Adviser's press wing. Immediate investigation by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) indicates that Ershad Ullah was not the target of the attack, but a stray bullet hit and injured him.  The government wishes him an early recovery. A full probe has been ordered. The government expressed its deep concern at this criminal act and reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting the safety and rights of all candidates and citizens participating in the democratic process. Read more: One killed, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah injured in Ctg gun attack

A man was shot dead and two others, including BNP candidate from Chattogram-8 constituency Ershad Ullah, were injured in an attack by armed miscreants during electioneering at East Bayezid Hamzarbagh (Chalitati) in the port city of Chattogram on Wednesday (5th November 2025). The deceased was identified as Sarwar Babla, 48. Sarwar’s full identity has not been confirmed yet. Officer-in-charge of Bayezid Police Station Arifur Rahman said the gunmen appeared during electioneering of Ershad Ullah around 6 pm and opened fire on Ershad Ullah, leaving Sarwar dead on the spot and two others injured. BNP leader found dead in Cox’s Bazar They were then taken to Evercare Hospital in Chattogram. Another injured was identified as Shanto, a local leader of Jubo Dal. “Police are trying to identify those involved in the attack,” the OC said.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed deep shock at the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a deadly gun attack. In a condolence message, Momen said, "Shinzo Abe was a close friend of mine and he was also a friend of Bangladesh."  Read: Japan ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated while giving speech Momen described the shooting on Shinzo Abe as "disgusting" and said that in his death, the people of Japan had lost an extraordinary leader, while Bangladesh had lost a true friend.  He wished eternal peace to the departed soul of Shinzo Abe and extended his deepest sympathies to the members of his bereaved family and the people of Japan. Abe, 67, died after being shot while giving a campaign speech in southern Japan on Friday.  He immediately collapsed and was seen bleeding before he was taken to hospital.  The attack on Shinzo Abe, the man who remained Japan's longest-serving prime minister, shocked the entire world. Momen condemned Friday’s shooting on Japan’s former leader. Read: Japan ex-leader Shinzo Abe apparently shot, in heart failure World leaders expressed shock and anguish over Friday’s shooting. Police have arrested a suspected gunman at the scene. The attack was a shock in one of the world’s safest countries with some of the strictest gun control laws.

Two suspected criminals were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Mirtinga tea garden in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district early Sunday. The deceased were identified as Tofail Ahmed, 28 and Shaheed, 35 of Choitraghat. Read: Man ‘kills self’ after killing wife, daughter in Savar Tipped off, being tipped off that some criminals gathered in the area, a team of Rab-9 conducted a drive, said Basu Datta Chakma, commanding officer of Rab-9 Srimangal camp. At one stage, the criminals opened fire on the Rab men, forcing Rab to fire back that triggered a gunfight. Two criminals were caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while the others managed to flee the scene, he said. Read: Workers’ Party activist stabbed dead in Rajshahi Three members of the elite force were also injured in the incident. Both of them were accused in a murder case.     

Armed Police Battalion (APBn) members have detained eight people over a gun attack on a madrasa at Cox’s Bazar Ukhiya Rohingya Camp that left six people dead. Superintendent of police (SP) Shihab Kaiser, chief of the Ukhiya-based unit of the APBn , on Saturday said,” APBn-8 members detained the suspects from Ukhiya during raids in the camps on Friday night.” He also said no case has been filed over the incident as of now. Read: Gun attack on madrasa in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp; 6 dead However, the officer declined to reveal the identities of the detainees. On Friday, a  predawn gun attack on Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama Al-Islamiyah Madrasa at Cox’s Bazar Ukhiya Rohingya Camp left six  people dead. Shortly after, police arrested a man named Jashim from the spot with a locally-made gun, 6 bullets and one knife. Read: Two held for Rangpur arson attacks 'admit guilt' Since then, police have conducted block raids on the Rohingya camps and other dwellings and structures in the madrasa area.