United News of Bangladesh

A trader was stabbed to death allegedly by muggers in the capital’s Jatrabari area early Saturday. The deceased was identified as Ashish Joaddar, 32, a cloth trader and son of Amal Joyaddar of Paturia village in Magura Sadar. Al Amin, a witness, said when Ashish was walking past a warehouse under the Jatrabari flyover two to three muggers blocked his way and stabbed him with a knife. Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot, prompting the attackers to flee without managing to snatch anything, he said. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition around 1:30am where doctors on duty at the emergency department declared him dead. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to Jatrabari Police Station.

The tragic demise of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a frontline activist of the July Uprising and spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, is an irreparable loss to the country and its people, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Friday. In a condolence message, Rizwana, also Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting expressed deep sorrow over Hadi’s untimely death. She described Hadi as a fearless voice and a courageous organiser of the July Uprising, saying his uncompromising stand against injustice and oppression inspired democracy-loving people. “The firmness, clarity and sense of responsibility with which he conveyed the movement’s message will be remembered in history. His role in awakening the youth and shaping public opinion on human rights and justice is undeniable,” she said, adding that Hadi’s life of struggle, ideals and courage would continue to inspire future generations to stand against injustice. The adviser prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to Hadi’s bereaved family, fellow activists, colleagues and well-wishers. Hadi died at a hospital in Singapore on Thursday, a week after being critically injured in a gun attack. According to Inquilab Moncho, his body will be brought back to Bangladesh on Friday by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines commercial flight scheduled to depart Singapore at 3:50 pm (local time) and arrive in Dhaka around 6:05 pm. His namaz-e-janaza will be held on Saturday after Zohr prayers at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested three more people, including the parents of prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with the attempted murder of Dhaka-8 aspiring independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi in Puratan Paltan. With the latest arrests, the total number of detainees in the case has risen to 10. The newly arrested people are Faisal’s father Humayun Kabir, 70, his mother Hasi Begum, 60, and another suspect, Md Faisal, 25, a resident of Narsingdi. They were later handed over to the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, according to a media release issued by RAB-10 on Tuesday night (December 16, 2025). Read more: Inqilab Moncho provides first update from Singapore on Osman Hadi's condition RAB officials said a team conducted a special drive around 5:30am on Tuesday in Hasnabad Housing area under Dakshin Keraniganj Police Station and arrested Faisal’s parents. Preliminary investigations revealed that Faisal, the third of four siblings, frequently visited his sister Jesmin Akter’s apartment in Dhaka’s Agargaon area. On the night of the incident, he reportedly carried a bag to the apartment and later disposed of it discreetly. He subsequently sent his 18-year-old nephew, Jamil, to retrieve the bag. During the period, Faisal also threw one of his mobile phones from the rooftop and handed another phone to his mother, RAB officials said. Feeling insecure in Agargaon, Faisal allegedly moved to Mirpur and later to Shahjadpur, where he stayed at the residence of his cousin Arif, the nephew of his father Humayun Kabir. Read more: RAB arrests close aide of main accused in attempted assassination of Osman Hadi Investigators said Humayun Kabir later hired a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and provided cash to transport Faisal’s bag. Faisal also visited his younger brother Hasan Mahmud Bablu, also known as Raj, in Keraniganj, and used two newly purchased SIM cards. Meanwhile, RAB recovered three firearms and ammunition from a water body near Molla Bari in the Tarua area of Narsingdi Sadar during the operation. The seized items included two foreign-made pistols, two magazines, one toy pistol and 41 rounds of ammunition. However, forensic examination is yet to confirm whether the weapons were used in the shooting. Hadi, a spokesman of the Inquilab Moncho formed after last year’s July uprising, was shot in the head on Friday while campaigning in Puratan Paltan. The assailants opened fire from a moving motorcycle. CEC takes attack on Hadi seriously, orders immediate action: EC He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being shifted to Evercare Hospital. On Monday, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment. With the consent of Hadi’s family, Abdullah Al Zaber, member secretary of Inquilab Moncho, filed a case with Paltan Police Station on Sunday night, naming Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified individuals. The case, now under DB investigation, has already led to the arrest of Faisal’s wife, a female friend, his brother-in-law, the owner of the motorcycle used in the attack, an accomplice named Kabir, and two others from border areas accused of aiding his escape. Read more: CEC takes attack on Hadi seriously, orders immediate action: EC

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Kabir, a close associate of the prime accused Faisal, in connection with the attempted murder of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, according to information received from the RAB headquarters on Monday night. RAB said Kabir was a key accomplice of Faisal, who has been identified as the principal suspect in the gun attack on Osman Hadi. Further details about the arrest will be disclosed later, the elite force added. Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot by assailants on Friday after Jummah prayer at Bijoynagar Boxculvert road in the capital. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with bullet injuries from he was shifted to Evercare hospital. Finally, he was sent to Singapore by an air ambulance on Monday afternoon for better treatment. CEC takes attack on Hadi seriously, orders immediate action: EC Following the incident, law enforcement agencies launched a series of operations to identify and arrest those involved. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police earlier said Faisal Karim Masud, alias Daud Khan, and another suspect were identified in connection with the attack, while RAB and police have already earlier arrested seven suspects for their alleged roles in aiding the shooter.  

Two days after the shooting of Inquilab Moncho spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi, a case has been filed naming prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified others. One Javed, a member of Inquilab Moncho formed during last year’s July Uprising, lodged the case with Paltan Police Station, its officer-in-charge Mustafa Kamal Khan told UNB on Monday. Among the accused, the prime suspect is on the run, while law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), have so far arrested six people. On Monday, RAB arrested three more people, including Faisal Karim’s wife and brother-in-law. The arrestees are Faisal’s wife Begum Samia, his brother-in-law Shipu, and Begum Maria. RAB also recovered several bank cheques signed by Faisal Karim Masud and seized electronic devices from the arrestees. Meanwhile, an air ambulance equipped with all emergency facilities for critical patients arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday morning to take Hadi to Singapore for advanced treatment.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested three more people, including the wife and brother-in-law of suspected shooter Faisal Karim Masud, alias Daud Khan, in connection with the gun attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. The arrestees are Faisal’s wife Begum Samia, his brother-in-law Shipu and Begum Maria. RAB also recovered several bank cheques signed by Faisal Karim Masud and seized electronic devices from the arrestees. With the latest arrests, the total number of detainees in the case has risen to six. Hadi to be flown to Singapore on Monday: CA’s Press Wing RAB Legal and Media Wing Deputy Director Major Lutful Haider said the arrests were made on December 14 based on secret information. The arrestees were later handed over to the police. Earlier, on Sunday, RAB identified the motorcycle used in the attack and detained its registered owner from the Mohammadpur area of the capital. He was later produced before a court, which granted a three-day remand. Independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, was critically injured in a gun attack at Purana Paltan Culvert Road on Friday afternoon while travelling by a rickshaw after Jum’a prayers.’

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has identified the motorbike used in the gun attack on Inquilab Moncho spokesperson and Dhaka-8 election candidate Osman Hadi and detained its registered owner from the Mohammadpur area of the capital. Tipped off, a special team of RAB-2 conducted a drive in Mohammadpur area in the early hours of Sunday (December 14, 2025) and detained Abdul Hannan, said RAB Headquarters’ Deputy Director (Media) Major Mohammad Lutful Hadi. Read more: NBR freezes bank accounts of Hadi’s suspected attacker Masud and his firm After detention, motorbike owner Abdul Hannan was handed over to Paltan Police Station for further legal proceedings, he said. Major Lutful Hadi said interrogation is underway to identify those directly involved in the attack and to uncover the motive. Osman Hadi was shot by assailants in the capital's Bijoynagar area on Friday noon, triggering widespread concern and condemnation. Read more: NBR freezes bank accounts of Hadi’s suspected attacker Masud and his firm Law enforcement agencies including police and RAB have been conducting drives to identify and arrest those involved in the attack.

An elderly woman was killed after being hit by a bus while crossing the road in the Jatrabari Thana area of the capital on Saturday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Anwara Begum, 65, daughter of late Nazim Uddin of the Ali area under Bandar Thana in Narayanganj district. She had been living as a tenant at a house in Rasulpur Dhania Alam Saheb area, holding No. 299. The accident occurred around 1:30 pm in the Jhatrabari Jhatra College area when a speeding bus struck her as she was crossing the road. She was rescued and rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where the on-duty doctor declared her dead around 2pm. Two held with foreign pistols in Jatrabari: DB Swapan Ahmed, a pedestrian who brought her to the hospital, said the woman sustained severe injuries after being hit by the bus. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to the concerned police station.  

Twenty percent of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims must travel to Saudi Arabia via Madinah next year and 30 percent will return through the same route, according to the 2026 Hajj agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. The Religious Affairs Ministry sent a letter to all lead Hajj agencies informing the new rule on Wednesday. According to the letter, 20 percent of all pilgrims travelling under both government and private management must enter Saudi Arabia through Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah while 30 percent will return through the same airport. As per the deal, all lead Hajj agencies have been instructed to ensure necessary arrangements in this regard. The agencies were asked to prepare for all logistical arrangements related to flights and pilgrim movement through the airport. Bangladesh has managed a quota of 78,500 pilgrims to perform Hajj next year.  

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun has been appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a Member of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). CPD congratulated her on this achievement and looks forward to supporting her work in this significant international role. The 15-member global Panel, comprising experts who will serve in their personal capacities, will play a central role in guiding the future development and application of the MVI, the civil society think tank said on Wednesday. MVI will work alongside the MVI Secretariat and the UN Statistical Commission to ensure the Index remains methodologically sound, relevant and effective for global policy processes. Under UN General Assembly Resolution 78/322, the Panel is mandated to review the MVI every three years, recommend methodological improvements, and monitor developing countries’ progress in reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience. It will also consider issues raised by the UN Statistical Commission and the General Assembly and reviews lessons learned from the application of the #MVI across the UN system. Dr Fahmida’s appointment is an important recognition of Bangladesh’s contribution to global development discourse, CPD said. She will serve on the Panel in her personal capacity, contributing to its technical and policy-facing work to strengthen the continued relevance, robustness and accessibility of the MVI. Dr Fahmida is also a member of the High-level Advisory Board on Productive Capacities Index of the UNCTAD; a Board Member of BRAC and a Board Director of the Bangladesh Bank.