Police recovered the body of Surman Ali (35) in Kushtia with a towel wrapped around his neck. Family members allege he was tortured to death by a group of 10–12 people who accused him of theft. Surman had ongoing disputes with a neighbor, Abdul Hakim, whose house had recently been robbed. Locals discovered the body near a toilet behind the same neighbor’s house.

Armed pirates attacked four fishing trawlers—FB Tufan-2, FB Madina-1, FB Ma-1, and FB Tarek-1—off the coast of Patharghata in the Bay of Bengal. Seven fishermen were beaten and one was shot. The robbers made off with fish worth BDT 2 million, BDT 50,000 in cash, and 30 mobile phones. Coast Guard units later rescued the injured. Witnesses report the attackers spoke in a Chittagong dialect and wore masks.

Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has declared that in light of the current situation in Palestine, armed jihad is now an obligation for all Muslim countries, including Pakistan. He criticized superficial verbal condemnations, saying they are no longer sufficient. He emphasized that providing humanitarian, financial, and practical support to the Palestinians is a collective duty of the Muslim Ummah. He further stated that instead of gathering in conferences, people should have rallied in Gaza. Despite ceasefire agreements, Israeli bombardments continue, he said, accusing Israel of having no moral compass and consistently violating international law.

Despite seizing a large sum of cash and gold during a raid at the home of a man named Harun in Teknaf, the joint forces reportedly excluded these items from the official case documents. A local plaintiff, Kaiser Ahmed, has been summoned to appear in court on April 13 to provide a written explanation. The court warned that legal action would be taken if his explanation is unsatisfactory. A spokesperson for the Coast Guard acknowledged a delay in submitting the seized items to the customs authority but confirmed they were deposited at the Teknaf Customs Warehouse on April 7 following higher-level orders.

Former Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr. Syed Hamid Albar has stated that the Rohingya crisis can no longer be viewed as a bilateral issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh—it is now a humanitarian and security concern for the entire ASEAN region. He emphasized the urgency of a solution and noted that the warm relations between the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Bangladesh could be instrumental in achieving a sustainable resolution. Highlighting Myanmar’s pledge to repatriate 180,000 Rohingya refugees, Dr. Albar stressed, “Agreements alone are not enough—implementation is key.” Meanwhile, Jamal Shamsuddin called for decisive ASEAN leadership, and Pakistani diplomat Ahad Asad Abbas Khan urged for a joint OIC-ASEAN effort to form a united stance from the Muslim world, ensuring justice, protection, and voluntary repatriation for Rohingya refugees.

Hefazat-e-Islam has claimed that the traditional Hindu religious procession, Mangal Shobhajatra, has been imposed on the nation under the guise of inclusivity during the celebration of Pahela Baishakh. The organization argues that the original Ananda Shobhajatra has been replaced due to foreign influence—particularly from India—and demands that UNESCO reconsiders its recognition. Hefazat urged the Cultural Affairs Ministry’s adviser to formally write to UNESCO to correct what they called a “mistake.” Leaders emphasized their opposition to any idol-centric cultural practices in national celebrations, stating that in a Muslim-majority country, no element contradicting Islamic monotheism should be part of national festivities.

Islamic scholars Ahmadullah and Mizanur Rahman Azhari announced a historic rally on April 12 at Suhrawardy Udyan, uniting political and non-political groups in solidarity with Palestine. Participants include BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islamic Movement Bangladesh, celebrities, athletes, and representatives from Islamic organizations. Speakers will include Baitul Mukarram’s Khatib Abdul Malek, editor Mahmudur Rahman, and content creators like Ayman Sadiq and RJ Kibria.

Agriculture and Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam issued a stern warning to an LGED executive engineer over phone after farmers complained that a leaking rubber dam was putting crops at risk. “Why is there a leak in your dam? You’ll be repaired if the dam isn’t,” he warned. The advisor instructed the engineer to fix the dam within seven days and accused him of negligence and corruption.

Kolkata saw massive disruptions on Thursday as thousands participated in a protest rally organized by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind against the proposed Waqf Bill.

Held at Ramlila Maidan under the leadership of state president Siddiqullah Chowdhury, the rally drew large crowds from across West Bengal. Protesters argue that the new Waqf legislation would undermine minority property rights and endanger Muslim institutions and assets.

Demonstrations were also reported in Manipur, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other parts of India.

Teachers, students, and staff from Jahangirnagar University participated in a ‘March for Palestine’ to demand an end to Israel’s brutal killings in Palestine. During the march, they were briefly halted by law enforcement, but later returned to campus. Chanting slogans like ‘Palestine, Palestine,’ and ‘End the genocide in Palestine,’ a delegation led by Professor Dr. Mohammad Billal Hosain submitted a petition to the US and Saudi Arabian embassies in Dhaka and the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor.

Interior Adviser Jahangir Alam expressed outrage during a visit to the Sylhet Airport Police Station after seeing a red carpet reception and decorative arrangements. He immediately ordered all decorations to be removed, criticizing such flattery as unproductive. “Despite repeated warnings, this culture of appeasement hasn’t stopped,” he remarked.

He further noted that while touring the country, he has seen the severe limitations faced by the police—lack of accommodation, insufficient vehicles, and food shortages. Many police stations and vehicles were burned during the recent unrest, and not a single new vehicle has been procured yet. However, funds have been allocated and gradual improvements are expected.

The adviser asserted that the police are not afraid and have been instructed to take strict action against anyone taking the law into their own hands. He also reported no progress in the repatriation of Sheikh Hasina, an overall improvement in law and order, and noted that the recovery of looted assets remains below expectations.

A ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi forces toward Israel reportedly fell in Saudi Arabia, according to Israeli media. Neither Saudi Arabia nor the Houthis have officially commented. Although the Houthis halted Red Sea attacks following a January ceasefire in Gaza, they resumed launching rockets at Israel in March in response to the renewed Israeli blockade and military aggression. Over 18 ballistic missiles and two drones were fired, though only 10 reportedly entered Israeli airspace.

The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on five Iran-based companies and one individual for supporting Iran’s nuclear program. Among them are the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, which plays a crucial role in uranium enrichment. Also sanctioned is Majid Mosallat, managing director of Atbin Ista Technical and Engineering Company. Former President Donald Trump has indicated willingness to resume direct talks with Tehran, while Iran has stated such negotiations will remain indirect and held in Oman.

Israel is threatening to dismiss 970 air force personnel, including reserve pilots and regular staff, who signed a letter objecting to the Gaza military operations and demanding an end to the war. Senior commanders have contacted many signatories, offering them the chance to remain only if they withdraw their names. So far, only 25 have agreed to do so.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France may recognize Palestine as a sovereign state during a UN conference in New York this June, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia. “This is not to please anyone; I will do it because it will be the right time and part of a broader momentum. Those who support Palestine should, in return, recognize Israel,” Macron said. Palestinian Foreign Minister Versen Aghabekian Shahin welcomed the initiative, calling it a “step in the right direction to uphold Palestinian rights and pursue the two-state solution.”