The government has formed the Armed Forces Pay Committee 2025 to revise the pay structure for army, navy, and air force personnel.

A nine-member committee, led by Lt. Gen. Md. Faizur Rahman, was officially announced on Thursday. Members include Maj. Gen. Md. Nasim Parvez, Rear Admiral Md. Zahir Uddin, Air Vice Marshal Rusad Din Asad, Brig. Gen. Aung Ch Cha Mong, Air Commodore Jamil Uddin Ahmed, Defense Ministry Joint Secretary Milia Sharmin, and Capt. Md. Touhid Sagar. Brig. Gen. Nishadul Islam Khan will serve as member-secretary.

The committee has been instructed to submit recommendations by October 31, 2025.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has departed for China on an official visit, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Thursday.

During his stay, he is scheduled to meet senior Chinese military and civilian officials to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.

The Army Chief is expected to return to Dhaka on August 27.

In response to recent derogatory comments about the Bangladesh Army, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman urged restraint, saying:

“There’s nothing to be upset about. Those making such remarks are young, like our children. As they grow older, they will realize their mistakes and feel ashamed.”

Speaking at an “Officers’ Address” on Tuesday, the Army Chief said the force is fully prepared to assist the government in ensuring free, fair, and neutral elections.

He emphasized maintaining good relations with the public, avoiding retaliation, and upholding discipline. On allegations against two members for political involvement and abuse of women, he said investigations are ongoing and punishment will follow if proven.

“The people of the nation are looking up to you. You are the future of this country. Stay patriotic and maintain the chain of command.”

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that the Bangladesh Army had already been aware of and was investigating abuse allegations against a senior officer before they surfaced on social media. The accused officer has been relieved of his duties, and a high-level inquiry board is in place. Disciplinary action is pending. ISPR stressed that the process is being conducted with sensitivity toward the complainant’s dignity. While dismissed personnel lose access to army housing and benefits, the family was allowed to remain temporarily for humanitarian reasons due to the child’s upcoming SSC exams. The Army reiterated its commitment to moral values and discipline, vowing zero tolerance for misconduct.

The Bangladesh Army has warned the public about multiple fake social media accounts operating under the name of Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman. According to an ISPR statement issued Wednesday night, the Army Chief does not maintain any personal Facebook or other social media accounts and has no plans to do so in the future. The statement urged citizens and the media not to be misled by false information spread through these accounts.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued a stern warning to India over the Indus River dispute. Speaking at an event in Florida during his second visit to the US in just two months, Munir declared, “If Pakistan’s existence is threatened and we are pushed to the brink of destruction, we will not fall alone—we will take half the world with us.”
Following India’s cancellation of the Indus Water Treaty after a Kashmir attack and a four-day conflict in May, Munir said, “We will wait for the dam to be completed. Once it’s built, we’ll destroy it with 10 missiles. The Indus River is not India’s private property, and we have no shortage of missiles.” The treaty, brokered with World Bank assistance, dates back to the 1960s.

India’s Ministry of Defence has officially begun the procurement process for 200 modern light multi-role helicopters—120 for the Army Aviation Corps and 80 for the Air Force. The aircraft will support quick day-and-night missions, border surveillance, troop and equipment transport, weapon and casualty evacuation, search and rescue, and disaster relief. The purchase aims to replace aging Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. A Request for Information has been issued, with tenders and negotiations to follow. While Russia’s Kamov Ka-226T was initially considered, the ministry is now also evaluating the domestically produced Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Following a report by the daily Amar Desh alleging that six senior Bangladesh Air Force officers were forcibly retired due to links with foreign intelligence agencies, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement rejecting the claims as baseless. The officers—Air Vice Marshals M. A. Awal Hossain, Zahidul Saeed, Mohammad Aminul Haque, Abdullah Al Faruq, Mohammad Shamim, and Syed Mohammad—retired naturally upon reaching the service age limit through regular procedures. ISPR dismissed similar accusations concerning two other officers and urged the media to ensure accurate reporting.

Major Sadekul Haque Sadek is currently in military custody while under investigation, according to General Md. Nazim-Ud-Doula. If found guilty, action will be taken against him under military regulations.

Allegations against Major Sadek include providing guerrilla training to Awami League activists. Addressing the Gopalganj incident, Gen. Nazim said all lives are valuable, and the incident is deeply unfortunate. A high-level investigation committee led by a retired judge has been formed to probe the matter.

He clarified that the army did not support any particular political group but acted to protect lives under threat.

At the opening of the 2025 Army Promotion Board, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasized that promotion should be based on merit, highlighting the importance of honesty, professionalism, and political neutrality.

He instructed board members to prioritize leadership, integrity, and competence when selecting officers for promotion. Dr. Yunus also praised the military’s contributions to national security, peacekeeping, and disaster response, expressing gratitude to the Army Chief and other officials. Promotions for Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel ranks are currently under consideration.

After a deadly 12-day war with Israel, Iran’s military leadership, including IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour and Armed Forces Chief Amir Hatami, convened on Thursday, declaring their readiness to resume resistance if war resumes.

General Pakpour described the war as one of the most complex conspiracies in Iran’s history and emphasized the IRGC’s enhanced unity. Hatami labeled Israel the greatest threat to the Muslim world and honored fallen martyrs. Both leaders affirmed that the army and IRGC will jointly protect Iran’s sovereignty and dignity.

According to a statement from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Wednesday’s violence in Gopalganj was orchestrated by unruly groups in response to the National Citizen Party's (NCP) July march and public rally. The clashes led to injuries among police officers and journalists, along with arson and vandalism of public property. In a joint operation, the army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intervened to disperse the attackers. Despite warnings from military loudspeakers, protestors hurled crude bombs and bricks, prompting a forceful response in self-defense. The situation is now under control with a curfew in place, and authorities have urged citizens not to fall for rumors.

On July 13, the government issued a notification through the Ministry of Public Administration extending the executive magistrate powers of commissioned army officers by 60 days. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1998 and relevant criminal procedure sections, commissioned officers of captain rank and above can exercise these powers nationwide.

At least 23 people, including four children, were killed in an airstrike by Myanmar’s military on a Buddhist monastery in Lin Ta Lu village, Sagaing region. The attack occurred around 1:00 AM on Saturday, where over 150 displaced civilians had taken shelter. More than 30 people were injured, many critically, and the death toll is expected to rise. The military has not issued a statement yet. The region is known as a resistance stronghold, and such attacks have intensified recently.

The United States has expanded its military presence in the Philippines by deploying fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets in the ongoing “Cope Thunder 252” joint exercise. Thousands of U.S. and Philippine troops are participating in the drill amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

In response, China has conducted a ballistic missile test in the Indo-Pacific region, signaling growing military assertiveness. The joint exercises underscore deepening U.S.-Philippine defense ties against the backdrop of regional disputes involving China and its neighbors.