Bangladesh has launched drilling of its first deep exploration well at the Titas gas field in Brahmanbaria. The project was inaugurated on Sunday afternoon by Petrobangla Director (Finance) A.K.M. Mizanur Rahman at Budhal area of Sadar upazila. Once completed, the well is expected to add about 15 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. The drilling, reaching a depth of 5,600 meters, will take around seven months and is being carried out by Chinese contractor CCDC.

The Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL), which operates Titas, currently supplies about 325 million cubic feet of gas daily from 22 wells. Due to long-term extraction, pressure and reserves have declined, prompting new exploration efforts. Based on 3D seismic survey results, the new well may contain 1 to 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. The total cost for two deep exploration wells at Titas and Bakhrabad fields is estimated at 5.94 billion taka.

Officials said successful completion could lead to seven more wells and significantly ease the country’s energy shortage. Petrobangla plans to drill 50 wells nationwide this year to strengthen energy security.

A Dhaka court has granted a two-day remand for Md. Yusuf, who was arrested in a case filed over alleged extortion, intimidation, and obstruction of construction work at a house in the Gulshan area of the capital. The order was issued on Sunday, April 19, 2026, by Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah. The state prosecutor, Shamsuddoha Suman, confirmed the court’s decision.

According to the case details, Yusuf and 20 to 25 unidentified individuals allegedly entered a house in Gulshan-1 where boundary construction was underway. They reportedly forced the workers to stop work and demanded Tk 2 million from the homeowner. The prosecution argued that interrogation during remand could reveal information about other members of the extortion group.

The court approved a two-day remand instead of the ten days requested by the prosecution.

Iranian authorities arrested four individuals, including two foreign nationals, in the country’s northwestern region on Sunday. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the detainees are accused of being connected to a “U.S. and Israel-linked intelligence network.” They also face charges of importing satellite internet equipment similar to Starlink, which is considered a punishable offense in Iran.

The nationalities of the foreign suspects have not been disclosed. The arrests come amid heightened tensions following a joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28, after which internet services across the country were reportedly shut down.

The report did not specify further details about the investigation or the current status of the detainees.

A rickshaw driver named Sabbir was detained in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila on the night of April 18 while allegedly attempting to smuggle sacks filled with important government files from the upazila administration’s store. Gatekeeper Alamgir Mia stopped the vehicle when it tried to leave the compound and, upon inspection, discovered official documents inside. Police later arrived, detained the suspect, and seized the sacks.

Local residents claimed the files were packed at night after office hours and that the suspect was caught while trying to remove them by autorickshaw. Observers noted that the storeroom’s doors and windows were open from the inside, suggesting possible insider involvement. The incident has raised questions about how the suspect accessed the secured area and whether others were involved.

Police said no case had yet been filed, while the upazila project implementation officer asserted that a case had already been lodged. The contradictory statements have deepened the mystery. Locals suspect the theft may be linked to attempts to destroy evidence of irregularities in development projects and have demanded a full, impartial investigation.

In Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj, around 500 farmers voluntarily repaired an embankment in Pagna Haor on Sunday morning to protect their crops from rising rainwater. Continuous rainfall over the past week had caused parts of the haor to submerge, prompting farmers from Laxmipur village to reinforce the long internal embankment with soil and sandbags.

According to local observations, heavy rain and runoff from upstream areas led to waterlogging in low-lying parts of the haor. Farmers said that siltation in rivers, canals, and water bodies had worsened the flooding. To prevent further crop damage, they worked collectively without pay to strengthen the embankment.

Local leaders, including the upazila BNP joint convener and several union and community representatives, assisted the farmers during the repair effort.

The first Hajj flight from Chattogram for the 2026 pilgrimage season was inaugurated by State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin on Sunday evening at Shah Amanat International Airport. The flight, operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carried 371 pilgrims and departed for Jeddah at 6:30 p.m., officially launching this year’s Hajj operations from the port city.

During the inauguration, the state minister said the government is working to provide the best possible services for Hajj pilgrims and to improve air travel facilities. He noted that the Prime Minister had earlier inaugurated the Hajj flights in Dhaka and personally reviewed pilgrims’ concerns. The event was attended by airport officials, including Director Sheikh Abdullah Al Mamun and Biman’s Chattogram District Manager Al Mamun Faruk.

Officials stated that all preparations for smooth Hajj operations from Chattogram have been completed. A total of 16 special Hajj flights are planned this year, including 12 direct flights, to be operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi private carrier Flynas.

New Delhi has decided to appoint veteran politician and former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, replacing current envoy Pranay Verma. The move, seen as a significant diplomatic shift, comes amid changing political dynamics across the Padma River and is viewed as a strategic step in South Asian geopolitics.

Trivedi, originally from a Gujarati family but raised in Bengal, is fluent in Bengali and well-versed in its culture. His political experience and linguistic familiarity are expected to help him build stronger connections in Dhaka. Analysts cited in the report suggest that India’s decision reflects a need for political sensitivity, not just administrative skill, to navigate the evolving challenges in post–Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh.

The report adds that the Modi government’s choice also carries domestic political undertones, as West Bengal approaches its state elections. While the official announcement may come after the polls, preparations indicate Delhi’s renewed focus on restoring emotional and strategic ties with Bangladesh.

Officials and employees of the 'Madhyanagar Ruposhi Bangla Savings and Loan Cooperative Society Limited' in Sunamganj’s Madhyanagar upazila have gone into hiding after allegedly embezzling around Tk 6 crore. The cooperative, registered in 2022, was run by Rafiqul Islam of Netrokona and Amiya Bhushan Kar (Montu) of Madhyanagar. They attracted locals with promises of unusually high profits through savings and DPS schemes. About two months ago, both owners disappeared, leaving more than five hundred depositors unable to recover their money.

Victims, including small traders, teachers, and workers, have reported losing their life savings. Some alleged they were threatened when demanding refunds. On Sunday afternoon, defrauded customers held a human chain protest, urging authorities to recover their money. Local business leaders confirmed widespread losses and said they would seek administrative action. The Madhyanagar cooperative officer stated that the society’s registration had been canceled in November 2025 for operational irregularities, but it continued activities secretly afterward.

Local leaders also warned that another NGO in the area, 'Pollibondhu,' faces similar allegations, calling for stricter oversight of such organizations.

In Mymensingh’s Fulbaria upazila, heavy vehicles continue to cross a bridge over the Kolmodoria River at Keshorganj Bazar despite an official ban. The upazila administration had declared the bridge extremely risky and prohibited all heavy vehicle movement, installing warning signs and iron barricades on both sides. However, trucks, tractors, and other heavy carriers are reportedly breaking the barricades and using the bridge daily.

Local residents allege that illegal lorries and tractors carrying bricks, sand, and timber are worsening the condition of the already expired bridge, raising fears of a major accident. Upazila Engineer Zobayer Hossain confirmed that the bridge is highly risky and said the matter has been reported to higher authorities, with a new bridge construction process underway. Acting Upazila Executive Officer Sheikh Taki Tajwar stated that the administration is investigating the violation and will take legal action against those responsible.

Residents have urged immediate and effective measures to stop heavy vehicle movement across the dangerous bridge to prevent potential disasters.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of narcotic syrup from an Indian truck loaded with stones at the Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj. The seizure was confirmed on Sunday afternoon by Lieutenant Colonel Golam Kibria, commander of the 59 BGB Battalion. Acting on a tip-off, a patrol team led by Assistant Director Sheikh Monowarul Islam conducted the operation on Saturday night.

During the search, the team found 20 sacks wrapped in tarpaulin hidden inside the stones of the truck parked at the Alom Traders stone yard. The sacks contained 5,935 bottles of Indian narcotic syrup, including 3,897 bottles of Scap Dix and 2,038 bottles of Fire Deal, both used as alternatives to phensedyl. No one was arrested during the operation, but the truck was seized on charges of drug transportation.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Abdullah Al Mamun of Shibganj Police Station stated that the seized drugs and truck were handed over to the police, and necessary legal action has been taken.

Despite an increase in fuel prices, petrol pumps across Barishal city saw long queues of vehicles on Sunday morning. Most pumps were either closed or running out of fuel, forcing drivers to wait for hours to collect limited quantities. Only a few stations were reportedly open, distributing fuel under a rationing system that allowed motorcycles to buy fuel worth 300 taka, Mahindra vehicles 500 taka, and private cars 1,000 taka.

According to the report, the retail prices of octane, petrol, and diesel in Barishal rose by 20, 19, and 15 taka per liter respectively, now selling at 140, 135, and 115 taka. Drivers expressed frustration over the rising costs and continued shortages, saying they still had to queue despite the price hike. Public transport drivers also noted that fares had not yet been increased to offset the higher fuel costs.

The situation indicates ongoing supply constraints and growing pressure on transport operators in Barishal following the latest fuel price adjustment.

A spotted deer that entered Khuriyakhali village in Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat after being chased by a tiger was rescued and released back into the Sundarbans on Sunday morning. The deer swam across a river and entered the house of a local resident, Jamal Mia, around 8 a.m. Forest officials, members of the Wild Team, the Village Tiger Response Team, and local villagers worked together to safely capture the animal.

According to the Sharankhola field facilitator of the Wild Team, the deer was wet when it entered the house and was later handed over to the Forest Department. The Sharankhola Station Officer of the East Sundarbans confirmed that the rescued female deer weighed about 25 kilograms and was released near the range office around 10 a.m. He added that deer are generally timid animals and can die from shock, but the trained rescue team ensured its safe recovery.

The incident highlights the close proximity of human settlements to wildlife habitats in the Sundarbans and the importance of coordinated rescue efforts to protect both animals and residents.

Police in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, arrested a father and son during a special anti-drug operation late Saturday night in the Nawabeki Bazar area. The detainees were identified as Farukul Islam Bulbul, aged 33, and his father Shahanur Molya, aged 56, both residents of Paschim Biralakhmi in Atulia Union. Officers recovered 250 grams of cannabis and 45 yaba tablets from Farukul, and an additional 150 grams of cannabis were seized from a nearby shop based on his information.

According to police sources, the operation was launched following a tip-off. The suspects attempted to flee when officers arrived at a tea shop near the Nawabeki Bazar management committee office but were captured after a chase. Local sources reported that the pair had been running a drug business under the cover of the tea shop and supplying narcotics to local youths.

Shyamnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khalekuzzaman said a case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018, and the suspects were being processed for court custody. He added that anti-drug operations have been intensified to curb such crimes.

A police constable was hospitalized after being assaulted by suspected drug dealers during a search operation in Tongi Bazar, Gazipur, on Saturday night. The injured officer, Rahat, serves at Tongi East Police Station and is currently receiving treatment at Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. while a police patrol team was conducting body searches of suspicious individuals on the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway.

According to eyewitnesses, several drug dealers suddenly attacked Constable Rahat, beating him with fists and sticks, leaving him seriously injured. Fellow officers rescued him and took him to the hospital for treatment. The attack took place while the police were performing their regular patrol duties in the area.

Tongi East Police Station’s officer-in-charge Mehedi Hasan stated that a case was filed on Sunday afternoon against 10 to 12 unidentified individuals. Police are working to identify and arrest those involved in the assault.

Police in Naogaon’s Porsha upazila arrested an alleged drug dealer named Shamim Chowdhury with 1,000 Tapentadol tablets on Saturday night. The arrest took place around 8 p.m. in the Baliyachanda area along the Saraigachi–Sapahar regional highway. Shamim, son of the late Dulal Chowdhury from Chandura Babupur village in Sapahar upazila, was detained during a special operation led by Porsha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ziaur Rahman under the direction of Naogaon Superintendent of Police Md. Tarikul Islam.

Police said the operation was part of a nationwide anti-narcotics drive. During the search, officers found 1,000 Tapentadol tablets in a shopping bag carried by Shamim, with an estimated market value of about three lakh taka. His Suzuki Gixxer motorcycle was also seized during the operation.

A case has been filed against the detainee under the Narcotics Control Act, and he was sent to jail through the court on Sunday. Police stated that anti-drug operations will continue and that they remain firm in combating such crimes.