Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Zahid Hossain Milon, widely known as ‘Tak Milon,’ a former councilor and influential Awami Youth League figure from Jessore. The arrest took place on Friday night in Dhaka’s Rampura area, and Milon was brought to Jessore the following day. Law enforcement officials describe him as one of the district’s top criminal suspects, with at least 14 cases filed against him under murder, explosives, and other criminal laws.

DB Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Ali confirmed the arrest, noting that Milon had long faced allegations of abuse of power during the Awami League government. Police records link him to the 2018 murder of a local Youth League activist and a 2019 bomb attack on MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed’s residence. He was also accused of running illegal gambling operations in Jessore.

Authorities say Milon had previously been detained in 2020 and 2024 but continued his activities after release. His latest arrest is expected to revive several pending investigations and may expose broader political-criminal networks in the region.

A former leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Barishal has filed a rape case against a young man named Suan Al Talukdar, alleging multiple assaults under the pretext of marriage. The complaint was lodged on December 18 at the Kotwali Model Police Station, though it became public on December 20. Police confirmed the filing but said the accused has not yet been arrested.

According to the case statement, the complainant and Suan developed a relationship following their activism. The accused allegedly raped her several times, including at a residential hotel in Barishal, where he recorded a video and later used it to threaten her. When pressured to marry, Suan reportedly refused and physically assaulted her. Police said efforts are ongoing to locate the accused, whose phone remains switched off.

Suan, previously linked to the now-banned Chhatra League, had been active in local political movements and was arrested earlier this year before being released on bail. The case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about gender-based violence and accountability in student politics.

The Asian University of Bangladesh has expressed deep sorrow over the untimely and tragic death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, calling for a fair and speedy investigation into his killing. The university described Hadi’s death as not only the loss of a young, courageous voice but also a painful blow to a generation committed to justice, rights, and democratic values.

Hadi, known for his activism inspired by the spirit of the July Revolution, was recognized as a fearless advocate for truth and justice and a symbol of resistance against oppression. The university extended condolences to his family, colleagues, and fellow activists, emphasizing that his ideals would continue to inspire unity among those striving for a just Bangladesh.

The statement urged authorities to ensure the safety of all citizens engaged in democratic movements and reaffirmed that freedom of expression and peaceful protest are non-negotiable. The university pledged to uphold principles of justice, humanity, and democracy in honoring Hadi’s legacy.

Italian police have arrested 384 people and seized 1.4 tons of narcotics in a sweeping anti-drug operation across multiple provinces. The coordinated raids, conducted on Friday at 312 locations, also led to the temporary closure of five cannabis shops in three cities. Authorities reported confiscating 35 kilograms of cocaine, 296 kilograms of cannabis products, and over 40 firearms.

In addition to the arrests, 655 individuals—including 39 minors—were placed under investigation. Police described the operation as part of a broader crackdown on organized drug networks following Italy’s June 2025 decree that banned all forms of cannabis trade, including hemp-based products previously considered legal.

Officials stated that similar operations will continue as part of a long-term strategy to dismantle trafficking networks and curb the illegal drug market. The government has pledged stricter enforcement and closer coordination among regional law enforcement agencies.

Police in Pirgachha, Rangpur, have arrested five members of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations under the ongoing ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’. The arrests, conducted on Friday night, also included three other individuals with outstanding warrants, bringing the total number of detainees to eight. The suspects were presented before the local court on Saturday afternoon following their detention.

According to Officer-in-Charge A.K.M. Khondoker Mohibbul Islam, the operation aims to maintain law and order in the region. He stated that the campaign will continue and that anyone involved in criminal or violent activities will be brought under legal action. The arrested individuals were identified as Abdul Kuddus Bhuiyan (72), Kamruzzaman Palash (38), Mamunur Rashid (35), Khorshed Alam alias Masud Rana (38), and Ashiqur Rahman (39).

Authorities have intensified monitoring in Rangpur amid heightened political tensions. The continuation of the operation signals a broader law enforcement effort to curb unrest and ensure stability in the area.

A Dhaka court has granted a fresh four-day remand for three accused — the wife, sister-in-law, and friend of fugitive prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud — in connection with the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. Metropolitan Magistrate Md Siddiq Azad issued the order on Saturday, while another accused, rent-a-car businessman Nuruzzaman Nomani alias Uzzal, was sent to jail after his earlier remand.

The investigation officer from the Detective Branch sought seven days’ remand for further interrogation, citing the need to uncover the motive, identify financiers, and trace other suspects involved in the killing. Previously, the same three accused had been placed on a five-day remand on December 15. Faisal’s parents, who are also accused, have already confessed before the court.

Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on December 12 while campaigning and later died in Singapore. The case, filed on December 14, alleges a wider conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country and obstructing the upcoming 13th National Election.

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist named Shah Alam from Bhurungamari, Kurigram, has reported receiving a death threat after an anonymous note was found at his rented home. The note, written in red ink and containing a threatening message, was discovered by his wife on Friday evening. Alarmed by the incident, Shah Alam filed a General Diary (GD) at Bhurungamari Police Station the same night.

According to police sources, Shah Alam, who also runs a private madrasa and a small business, resides in a rented house near the Government College Road area. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azim Uddin confirmed the report and said that an investigation is underway to identify those responsible. Shah Alam stated that he canceled his travel plans to attend a local religious gathering after learning about the threat.

Authorities have assured that the matter is being treated seriously, with local law enforcement increasing vigilance in the area. The incident has raised concerns about political intimidation and personal safety in the region.

Unidentified miscreants set fire to the Kushtia District Election Office building early Saturday morning, damaging some stored documents in the Sadar Upazila election office storeroom. The incident occurred between dawn and 9 a.m., when attackers reportedly broke a rear window to start the blaze. Local residents noticed smoke and, with the help of the office night guard, managed to bring the fire under control before it spread further.

Senior District Election Officer Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the incident, stating that while some documents were burnt, no major losses were reported. District Commissioner Iqbal Hossain, Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Roknuzzaman, and senior police officials visited the site shortly after. Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain Matubbar said an investigation has begun to identify those responsible.

Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and reviewing security measures at election offices across the district to prevent similar incidents ahead of upcoming electoral activities.

The Bangladesh Navy conducted a late-night raid in Teknaf’s Hnila Union on Friday, recovering a cache of illegal firearms, ammunition, and narcotics. Acting on intelligence, a specialized naval force and local police jointly searched the residence of alleged top criminal ‘Lamba Mizan,’ seizing three pistols, nine rounds of live ammunition, two locally made weapons, and 10,000 yaba tablets. The seized items were later handed over to Teknaf Police Station for legal proceedings.

Authorities said the operation was part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to strengthen internal security and curb criminal activities in coastal and border regions. The Navy has been conducting regular anti-smuggling and anti-drug drives to maintain law and order in sensitive areas. Officials emphasized that such coordinated actions with law enforcement agencies are crucial to dismantling organized crime networks.

Security analysts note that continued naval engagement in inland operations reflects growing inter-agency cooperation to combat drug trafficking and illegal arms trade along Bangladesh’s southern coastline.

A crude bomb, locally known as a cocktail, exploded on the second floor of an under-construction shop inside a commercial building in Dhunat town, Bogura, on Saturday afternoon. The explosion occurred around 12:15 p.m., causing widespread panic among traders operating on the ground floor of the same building near the Central Shaheed Minar area.

According to police and local sources, unidentified individuals detonated the explosive device in the unfinished shop space. No casualties were reported, but the loud blast alarmed nearby shopkeepers and residents. Law enforcement officials, including senior officers from Dhunat Police Station, visited the site shortly after the incident. Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam confirmed that evidence from the scene had been collected and CCTV footage from surrounding areas was being reviewed.

Police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have heightened security in the area to prevent further disturbances, while business owners have urged swift action to ensure their safety and restore normalcy in the local market.

In Panchagarh, Bangladesh, the parents of a young woman named Amina Akter Ratna held a press conference demanding justice for what they allege was her murder by her husband’s family. The couple, Amir Uddin and Nargis Akter, claimed their daughter was killed two years after marriage and that the in-laws staged her death as a suicide. Ratna was taken to Atwari Upazila Health Complex on November 22, where she was declared dead, with her husband’s family claiming she had ingested poison.

However, Ratna’s family reported finding multiple injury marks on her body and no evidence of poisoning. They filed a case with Atwari Police Station on November 24 after rejecting an alleged offer for an out-of-court settlement. Amir Uddin further alleged that the accused family has since issued threats and attempted to bribe officials to alter the autopsy report.

Local residents and relatives attended the press conference, calling for a transparent investigation and protection for the victim’s family amid growing concerns over intimidation and manipulation of evidence.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition during an operation in the Pallabi area on Friday afternoon. Acting on a tip-off, officers from Pallabi Police Station discovered three revolvers, 73 rounds of live ammunition, a revolver cover, a machete, and two small knives abandoned on the third floor of an old City Corporation market building in Mirpur-11, Block-C.

Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman of the DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division confirmed the recovery in a press release. He stated that the weapons were found in an abandoned state and that an investigation is underway to trace their origin and identify those involved. The discovery follows a series of recent police operations aimed at curbing illegal arms circulation in Dhaka.

Authorities believe the seizure may help uncover links to local criminal networks. Police have increased surveillance in the area and are analyzing forensic evidence to determine whether the weapons were intended for future criminal activities.

Police in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha, have arrested four individuals in two separate cases, including two local Awami League leaders accused of vandalizing a Jamaat-e-Islami office. The arrests took place on Friday night, when officers detained Ranjit Sarkar, general secretary of ward no. 4 of Kamaradaha Union Awami League, and Sajjadul Mondol Saju, joint general secretary of Darbasta Union Jubo League, from their homes.

According to police, both leaders are accused in a case related to the vandalism of the Jamaat office in Gobindaganj upazila. In a separate operation earlier that day, police arrested two alleged drug traffickers with five kilograms of cannabis from a passenger bus on the Dhaka–Rangpur highway near Chapriganj.

Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque confirmed that separate cases have been filed under the Penal Code and the Narcotics Control Act. All four detainees were sent to Gaibandha District Jail following court orders. The incidents highlight ongoing political and criminal law enforcement challenges in the region.

A Chakma man named Shankuching, aged 35, was abducted by an armed group while farming on a hillside in Baharchhara Union of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday afternoon. Another local farmer, 60-year-old Ebadullah, narrowly escaped the attack and reported the incident to police after fleeing the scene.

According to Ebadullah, around 20 to 30 armed assailants suddenly surrounded them during fieldwork and forcibly took Shankuching away. The attackers reportedly fired two rounds of gunshots as Ebadullah ran for his life. Teknaf Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Islam confirmed that a police team was dispatched immediately and that an investigation is underway.

Authorities suspect the involvement of local hill-based armed groups active near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Law enforcement agencies have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further incidents and locate the abducted farmer.

Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inquilab Manch, alleged that the killing of Osman Hadi was carried out by an organized criminal group rather than a lone assailant. Speaking before Hadi’s funeral prayer near the National Parliament complex on Saturday, Jaber criticized the government for failing to arrest any suspects or provide a clear assurance a week after the shooting.

Jaber demanded that Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Box Chowdhury publicly disclose within 24 hours what steps had been taken in the past week. He warned that failure to do so should lead to their resignation. He also called for identifying alleged collaborators within civil and military intelligence agencies.

The Inquilab Manch leader urged supporters to remain peaceful and await official instructions from the organization, while emphasizing that Hadi’s death would not go unpunished. The group announced plans for a gathering at Shahbagh following the funeral rites.