In a disturbing incident in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim imam was allegedly assaulted by Hindu extremists after refusing to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”
The victim, identified as Imam Mustaqim, claimed he was targeted because of his beard and cap while riding a bicycle. He said a group stopped him, forced him to chant the slogan, and when he refused, they beat him with sticks for nearly two hours, threatening to bury him on the spot.
Police, however, downplayed the incident, labeling it a case of “general assault” rather than communal violence.
According to reports, the attack stemmed from a prior dispute involving local children and another individual named Zeeshan.

A forensic expert has testified that voices in a leaked audio recording, which allegedly ordered the use of lethal weapons during July’s mass uprising, matched those of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Dhaka South City Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

Police Inspector Ruknuzzaman of CID’s Digital Forensic Lab presented the findings before Tribunal-2, stating that the female voice matched Hasina while the male voice matched Taposh. The recording is among several audios leaked since March, purportedly captured by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC). Earlier this month, the BBC had independently verified parts of the same audio.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has promoted 39 unarmed police inspectors to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). A notification issued on Monday instructed the promoted officials to submit their joining letters through the proper authority to the Senior Secretary of the ministry. The order, issued in the public interest, has been made effective immediately.

At least 34 people were injured in Sunamganj’s Dirai upazila when a minor quarrel escalated into a violent clash involving spears and other homemade weapons. The incident took place at the Rajanagar boat terminal after an argument over splashing water spiraled into a bloody confrontation between supporters of Golap Mia and Akbar Mia.

Of the injured, 24 were rushed to Sylhet hospitals, while 10 others received treatment at Dirai Medical College. Police recovered a large number of spears and local weapons from the scene. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdur Razzak confirmed that law enforcement had been deployed and that the situation was now under control.

The government has ordered an investigation into the shocking discovery of five sacks of National Identity Cards (NIDs) in Narayanganj. Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has directed the Deputy Commissioner to report on what actions the Election Commission is taking in response.

Police recovered the sacks, filled with NIDs, polling officer cards, and official seals, from a roadside garbage heap near the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road on Sunday night. District Election Officer Alamgir Hossain confirmed that the items belonged to the Gazipur Sadar area and said action would be taken once higher authorities issue instructions. Witnesses reported that an unidentified group in a white car dumped the sacks. Police have since launched an investigation, and a general diary (GD) has been filed.

A group of former officials and staff of Biman Bangladesh Airlines who were dismissed from service have staged a sit-in protest in front of Balaka Bhaban at Kurmitola, demanding reinstatement.
The protesters claimed that despite a government circular in August last year promising to resolve all reinstatement petitions within 15 days, most cases remain unsettled even after a year. While a few employees were reinstated under the same order, the majority still await a decision.
They warned that unless their single-point demand for reinstatement is met, they would continue with escalated, ongoing protests.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested six Awami League leaders and activists in separate drives across Dhaka. The arrests, made on Sunday, were disclosed on Monday.
Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, stated that the detainees were involved in organizing flash processions and financing party activities in the capital. He added that further details would be shared later.

A low-pressure system has developed over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, triggering heavy cloud formation. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has warned that squally winds may sweep across the North Bay, coastal regions, and nearby sea ports.
On Monday, the BMD advised the ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay have been instructed to remain close to shore and proceed with utmost caution until further notice.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam assured that comprehensive 24-hour security will be in place throughout the Durga Puja celebrations this year.

Speaking during a visit to Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Narayanganj’s Missionpara, he praised the arrangements, calling them “well-organized with no cause for concern.”

“Durga Puja is a sacred religious festival, and its sanctity must be preserved. We have taken steps to ensure that all faiths can work together harmoniously. There are no security threats, as CCTV surveillance has been installed at every site,” he said.

Alam added that coordination meetings with puja committees have been held, ensuring round-the-clock security measures from the outset of festivities. Alongside government security forces, volunteer groups will also provide support. From September 24, Ansar personnel will be deployed.

To further support the celebrations, the government has allocated Tk 3.2 million across Narayanganj puja mandaps, along with 500 kilograms of rice for each mandap. Alam expressed optimism that the festival would further strengthen communal harmony in the country.

Celebrated singer Tahsan Khan has announced that he is gradually stepping away from his two-decade-long music career. His verified Facebook and Instagram accounts—once followed by millions—have mysteriously disappeared, sparking speculation among fans.

At a recent concert in Melbourne, Australia, Tahsan clarified, “This is not my last concert, but my last tour. Slowly, I will retire from music—it’s only natural. Can someone jump on stage forever? My daughter is growing up. If I now stand and sing ‘Dure Tumi Dariye,’ how would that look?”

The audience was stunned, many breaking into tears, but Tahsan remained resolute, continuing his performance. He later summed up his decision in a single sentence: “I chose this path in hopes of living a simple life.”

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has embarked on a four-day official visit to Malaysia to attend the 14th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs’ Conference.

According to ISPR, the event is co-hosted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Malaysian Armed Forces in Kuala Lumpur. Chiefs of Army from across the region will discuss strengthening cooperation, addressing common security challenges, and coordinating responses to regional crises.

The visit is expected to further deepen ties between Bangladesh and Indo-Pacific nations, expanding opportunities for military collaboration. General Waker-uz-Zaman is scheduled to return home on September 27.

Economic adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has cautioned investors against treating the stock market as a regular source of income.

“Believing that profits are guaranteed from the capital market is a mistake,” he said, stressing that investments should target genuinely profitable sectors. He recommended making Sukuk bonds privately issued to encourage productive investment.

Reflecting on past infrastructure planning, he noted that even during Barrister Nazmul Huda’s tenure as communications minister, he had opposed taking World Bank loans for mega projects like the Padma Bridge. “Funds for such projects could be raised from the share market,” he added.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Abdul Wadud Pintu, president of the Noakhali municipal Awami League.

Sudharam Police Station OC Mohammad Kamrul Islam confirmed that Pintu was arrested in Dhaka, where he had been hiding since the Awami League government’s ouster on August 5. He faces charges in an explosives case filed in Sudharam.

DB officials said he was apprehended from his second wife’s rented apartment in Dhanmondi. Pintu hails from Krishna Rampur in Ward-4 of Noakhali municipality.

Portugal has officially recognized Palestine as an independent state, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia in a wave of international support.

The announcement came from the Portuguese Foreign Minister in New York. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed recognition via a video message, citing London’s commitment to reviving the two-state solution. Australia also issued a joint statement declaring its recognition, while Canada had been the first G7 nation to extend formal acknowledgment.

This latest move raises the total number of countries recognizing Palestine to 151. French authorities are also expected to issue a formal declaration today.

For the first time since 1967, Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara has arrived in Washington to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Syrian state TV confirmed he is accompanied by four ministers, with expectations that the visit could open dialogue on restoring diplomatic ties with the United States, including reopening Syria’s embassy in Washington.

Al-Shara is scheduled to address the Assembly on September 24. A meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is also being planned on the sidelines.

Reuters noted that the U.S. once placed a $10 million bounty on al-Shara’s head due to his alleged links with al-Qaeda. However, his meeting with Trump in Riyadh earlier this year was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough, leading Washington to lift most sanctions on Syria and pledge support for a “unified and stable” Damascus.