In the wake of a deadly attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian authorities have detained at least 1,500 individuals as part of the ongoing investigation. The attackers, armed with automatic rifles, opened fire for about 20 minutes. They were identified as members of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba’s offshoot, the Kashmir Resistance Front. Security forces have also released sketches of the suspected assailants.

A human chain was formed in front of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare, demanding the immediate reopening of the Malaysian labour market. Protesters urged the government to accept all conditions set by Malaysia and expedite the process at any cost. While 13 other countries have complied with Malaysia’s terms, Bangladesh has lagged behind, risking the loss of access to a market that requires 1.2 million workers and potential remittances worth $5 billion. A memorandum was submitted to the Adviser on Manpower Export and Overseas Employment.

The Public Administration Ministry is working on an amendment to the 2018 Civil Service Act that would allow the government to dismiss disruptive employees without an investigation, giving only an eight-day notice. The proposal was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite the removal of unproductive or problematic staff.

The US has advised citizens to avoid travel within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border and the region of Kashmir. Caution is also advised for parts of Manipur and central/eastern India. US officials require approval to visit most parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha—except their capital cities. Prior permission is also needed for visits to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and non-capital areas of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura.

Environment Adviser Rizwana Hasan announced that 12,000 acres of forest land in Cox’s Bazar, previously allocated to various agencies, will be returned to the Forest Department. Efforts are underway to free rivers, forests, and beaches from encroachment. So far, 700 acres have been reclaimed, and lands allocated to private parties and sports academies are being recovered.

Due to slowing economic activity, the World Bank warns that an additional 3 million Bangladeshis may fall below the poverty line in 2025. According to its “Bangladesh Development Update,” the rate of extreme poverty—defined as living on less than $2.15 per day—could rise from 5% in 2022 to 9.3% by next year. The overall poverty rate may jump from 18.7% to 22.9%.

Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bokhari termed the Pahalgam attack a ‘false flag’ operation. Warning India against any misadventure, she stated that Pakistan is fully prepared for retaliation. “Last time we served tea; this time we may not be so polite,” she said, asserting that Pakistan knows how to respond appropriately.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Bihar’s Madhubani, condemned the Pahalgam attack and vowed to identify and punish all terrorists and their supporters. Expressing the nation’s grief, he thanked global leaders and citizens who stood in solidarity with India during this difficult time.

In response to India’s five-step action following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan’s National Security Committee announced the suspension of visas for Indian citizens, closure of airspace to Indian flights, and a halt to all bilateral trade. Islamabad also rejected India’s move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any attempt to divert water would be considered an act of war.

Amid rising tensions, India has summoned the senior-most Pakistani diplomat stationed in New Delhi following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 people. The Indian government blamed the deteriorating security situation on Pakistan, signaling a worsening of diplomatic ties. In the aftermath of the attack, fierce gunfights broke out between Indian security forces and separatist militants in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. One Indian soldier was reported killed during a raid based on intelligence inputs.

On the final day of his four-day visit to Qatar, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. He is also scheduled to meet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Earlier, Dr. Yunus engaged with top Qatari investors and invited them to invest in Bangladesh.

Five students from Chittagong University (CU), abducted in Khagrachari, have been released after nine days. The Hill Students Council (Chhatra Parishad), affiliated with the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), had blamed the UPDF from the beginning—an allegation UPDF consistently denied. CU students and progressive groups staged protests demanding their release. Under mounting public pressure, the abductors eventually freed the students in phases.

Bangladesh has signed two financing agreements with the World Bank totaling $850 million. Of this, $650 million is allocated for the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project and $200 million for a social protection enhancement initiative. These projects will run until 2031 and 2030 respectively.

A taskforce has been formed to investigate irregularities in Bangladesh’s ICT sector and prepare a white paper. Economist Dr. Niaz Asadullah will lead the taskforce, which includes law, tech, and media experts. The report is expected by June 21.

Contrary to reports, KUET Pro-VC Sheikh Shariful Alam has not resigned. Instead, he submitted a letter to the Education Adviser, requesting a halt to any dismissal process pending further investigation. A ministry official acknowledged that discussions on removing the VC and Pro-VC are ongoing.