On February 25 and 26, 2009, the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka, was attacked by rebel soldiers, resulting in the deaths of 57 army officers. At the time, Sohel Taj, the then-State Minister for Home Affairs, was residing in the United States. Expatriate journalist Elias Hossain has written that military sources had informed him of Sohel Taj’s potential involvement in the BDR massacre. Elias warned that Taj should be cautious about traveling abroad. In response, Sohel Taj condemned these claims as propaganda and expressed his readiness to cooperate with any investigations, while also stating that he would not enter politics at this time.

The Bangladesh Air Force has dismissed reports that local miscreants from Samitipara launched a surprise attack on the Cox’s Bazar Air Force base on Monday, calling the news misleading. Meanwhile, ISPR stated that rumors are being spread claiming that a young man was killed by Air Force gunfire in Cox’s Bazar. According to the statement, a sudden attack by some local miscreants left four Air Force personnel injured, who are currently undergoing treatment.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed his desire to make Pakistan a nation greater than India. Speaking at a large rally on Sunday, he said, “One day, we will leave India behind. And if we fail to do that, my name won’t be Shahbaz Sharif. We will work day and night to transform Pakistan into a great nation and surpass India.” Shahbaz added that his government is focused on achieving economic stability, with the goal of reducing Pakistan’s reliance on foreign loans.

পুলিশের আইজিপি বাহারুল আলম জানিয়েছেন, ছিনতাইরোধে পুলিশের তিনটি বিশেষায়িত ইউনিট সোমবার সকাল থেকে মাঠে নামছে। ঢাকা মেট্রোপলিটন পুলিশ, র‍্যাব ও এন্টি টেরোরিজম ইউনিট যৌথ অভিযান চালাবে। আইজিপি বলেন, দিনেরাতে ছিনতাই বেড়েছে। ছিনতাই প্রতিরোধে সোমবার সকাল থেকে বিশেষ একটি ব্যবস্থা বাস্তবায়ন করার সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া হয়েছে। এভাবে উন্নতি না হলে আমাদের অন্য পরিকল্পনায় যেতে হবে। বাহারুল বলেন, একটি গোষ্ঠী চায় না বাংলাদেশে স্থিতিশীল পরিবেশ বজায় থাক। সেটার পেছনে রাজনৈতিক উদ্দেশ্য থাকতে পারে। তিনি বলেন, অপারেশন ডেভিল হান্ট মূলত যারা সন্ত্রাস করে, সমাজবিরোধী তাদের বিরুদ্ধে।

Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has instructed military personnel to maintain patience and avoid excessive use of force while ensuring law and order until an elected government takes office. Speaking at an event at Savar Cantonment, he emphasized that any use of force must be strictly proportionate and kept to a minimum. “We must continue serving the nation until we have an elected government and the country is stable. Until then, we must perform our duties with patience,” General Waqar stated.

A new report by Al Jazeera, citing Access Now’s global internet shutdown study, reveals that Israel has restricted internet access in Gaza six times in 2024, more than any other country in the Middle East and North Africa. Despite international condemnation, Israeli occupation forces have deliberately disrupted Gaza’s internet and telecommunications infrastructure, a move the report likens to war crimes. The blackouts have severely impacted communication in the besieged Palestinian territory, drawing widespread criticism from human rights organizations.

Government officers under the Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council have temporarily suspended their planned half-day work stoppage to honor National Martyrs’ Day on Tuesday. A statement from the protesting officers indicated that if all suspensions and departmental cases against 25 cadre officers are not withdrawn by February 27 and no effective measures are taken to address inter-cadre disparities, a full-day strike will be observed on March 2. They have also warned of stricter actions if their demands remain unmet. Notably, 12 officers from the 25-cadre group were recently suspended for their social media posts.

The Bangladesh Air Force has refuted claims of an attack on its Cox’s Bazar base, labeling them as misinformation. The incident started when a local was taken inside for questioning over missing motorcycle documents, prompting a crowd confrontation. Miscreants threw stones, injuring several, including four Air Force personnel. Blank rounds were fired, but no live ammunition was used. The Air Force condemned false reports and confirmed that the base’s name remains “Cox’s Bazar Air Force Base.”

On Monday (February 24), the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-2) arrested six members of the notorious ‘Kobji Kata’ (Wrist Cutter) Anwar gang from Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Among those arrested were key gang members Tunda Babu and Rafat. RAB’s media wing confirmed the arrests in the morning. The other four detainees are known associates of Tunda Babu and Rafat. RAB-2 will hold a press briefing at its Basila camp at 3 PM to provide further details, with Additional DIG Md. Khalidul Haque Howlader leading the discussion.

According to Indian media outlet NDTV, a tragic accident occurred in Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday when a jeep returning from the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela collided with a bus. The crash resulted in six fatalities and left two others critically injured. The victims were residents of Karnataka. District Collector Deepak Saxena stated that the jeep driver lost control, hitting a road divider and a tree before veering onto the highway’s opposite lane, where it collided with an oncoming bus. All six passengers in the jeep died on the spot.

On Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement confirming an attack by assailants on an airbase in Cox’s Bazar. The ISPR reported that some individuals from the nearby Samiti Para carried out an unexpected attack on the Cox’s Bazar airbase. The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary action in response, but details on casualties or the motive behind the attack are still unclear.

On Monday (February 24), a public march began towards the Ministry of Home Affairs at 2:30 PM. The march started from the Central Shaheed Minar, passing through TSC, and headed toward the Ministry. Police set up barricades near the Education Building, but marchers forcefully removed them. Despite this, they could not reach the Secretariat due to police resistance. During the march, placards were displayed with slogans like, “Down with the system that nurtures rapists, wake up mothers, daughters, and sisters; Step down, Home Adviser Jahangir.” The participants of the march demanded improved security, reform of the rape laws, and the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser.

In a shocking case of fraud, a man in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, has been accused of altering his father’s identity to siphon off his uncle’s freedom fighter pension. The accused, Abdus Shukkur (46), admitted to forging an NID to withdraw the pension and bribing the UP secretary and the union freedom fighter commander to facilitate the scam. However, the secretary has denied any involvement. The deceased freedom fighter, Bosu Mia, had no children, while Shukkur’s actual father, Abdur Razzak, was also a freedom fighter. Reports indicate that Shukkur has been committing this fraud since 2015.

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi announced on Sunday that the group would suspend negotiations with Israel unless 602 Palestinian prisoners were released. He urged mediators to pressure Israel into fulfilling the agreement. Egypt and Qatar have been pushing Israel to release the prisoners as promised, with Egypt even threatening to withdraw from mediation if Israel fails to comply. Meanwhile, families of the detainees waited anxiously throughout the day. The United States, however, has supported Israel’s refusal to return the prisoners.

On Monday, the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification announcing the suspension of Joint Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Biplob Kumar Sarkar and Joint Commissioner of DMP Traffic S.M. Mehedi Hasan.

The suspension was reportedly due to unauthorized absence from duty without prior notice or approval. During their suspension, they will be attached to the Barishal Range DIG’s office and will receive allowances as per regulations. The decision has been taken in the public interest, according to the official statement.