Bangladesh’s joint security forces have arrested 2,433 people across the country in four days under a special drive titled “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2.” The operation, launched Saturday evening, aims to recover illegal firearms and curb political violence ahead of the upcoming national elections. According to police headquarters, 12 firearms and various ammunition were seized during the raids.

Officials said the decision to launch the operation followed the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. The Home Ministry’s core committee on law and order approved the campaign to ensure a peaceful electoral environment. Police and army units are jointly conducting the raids.

Authorities claim the operation is essential to maintain stability before the polls, though human rights groups have previously expressed concerns about mass arrests. The drive is expected to continue in the coming days as law enforcement intensifies surveillance and weapons recovery efforts nationwide.

The Vice-Chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Professor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam, came under sharp criticism after organizing the university’s Victory Day celebration with participation from teachers and students allegedly aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir. The event, held on December 16, was boycotted by BNP-leaning teachers and students, who staged protests and later held a separate celebration.

Led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S.M. Hemayet Jahan, the protesting group accused the Vice-Chancellor of dishonoring the spirit of the Liberation War by involving individuals linked to anti-liberation forces. Demonstrators chanted slogans near the campus health center, calling for the removal of those they labeled as collaborators. In response, Dr. Rafiqul Islam defended his actions, stating that the event was a national program open to all members of the university community.

The incident underscores persistent political divisions within public universities in Bangladesh, where ideological affiliations often influence campus activities. University authorities have yet to announce any formal inquiry into the dispute.

At least 20 activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were reportedly injured in an attack by local BNP members during a Victory Day celebration in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola on Wednesday, December 16, 2025. The clash broke out at the Amirjang Ghaznavi Stadium over seating arrangements reserved for Jamaat leaders, with witnesses claiming that BNP activists objected to their presence and initiated the violence. Four of the injured were said to be in critical condition.

Jamaat’s upazila amir Hasan Tarek Hawlader alleged that BNP activists tore off nameplates from designated seats and launched an unprovoked assault, chanting offensive slogans. BNP leaders, however, described the incident as a misunderstanding that had since been resolved. Police confirmed that both groups sustained injuries but said no formal complaints had been filed. The upazila executive officer stated he was not present at the time and held both parties responsible.

The incident highlights persistent political tensions between BNP and Jamaat at the local level, even during national commemorations meant to foster unity.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus described BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as an 'integral part of a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s history' during his Victory Day address to the nation on December 16, 2025. He expressed concern over her current illness and hospitalization, noting the government’s recognition of her as a 'nationally significant person.'

Yunus highlighted Khaleda Zia’s long-standing contributions to the country’s independence, sovereignty, and democratic politics. He stated that the government is extending full cooperation to ensure her medical care, respecting her family’s wishes regarding treatment options both at home and abroad. His remarks come amid heightened public attention to Zia’s health and her political legacy.

The statement marks a notable acknowledgment from the interim government toward a major opposition figure, potentially signaling a conciliatory tone in national politics. Observers suggest the move could ease political tensions and foster dialogue during the country’s transitional period.

Bangladesh’s interim government has formally notified India to facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, both accused in connection with killings during the July uprising. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Victory Day, emphasizing that the request is part of a lawful judicial process.

Yunus stated that the International Crimes Tribunal has already delivered one verdict, sentencing Hasina to death for allegedly ordering indiscriminate killings of students, workers, and civilians under the previous regime. The government, he added, is prioritizing three key objectives: ensuring justice for the July–August killings, implementing structural reforms for a transparent democratic system, and organizing a credible national election.

The formal request to India marks a significant diplomatic step, potentially testing bilateral relations. Observers note that New Delhi’s response will be crucial in shaping the next phase of Bangladesh’s transitional justice and political stabilization efforts.

A coalition of at least 36 political parties and organizations known as July Unity has issued a legal notice to Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner and the Ministry of Law, demanding a ban on the Awami League, Jatiya Party, and other members of the 14-party alliance. The notice, sent by Abdullah Al Mahmud on behalf of July Unity, follows an alleged assassination attempt on Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate and activist linked to the July movement.

The alliance accuses the Awami League-led government of establishing authoritarian rule since 2008, which it claims ended after mass protests in August 2024. July Unity argues that despite the government’s fall, former ruling party leaders continue to destabilize the country through conspiracies and violence. The attempted attack on Hadi has intensified calls for a formal ban on the coalition parties.

The Election Commission and Law Ministry have not yet commented on the notice. Political analysts suggest the move could deepen polarization in Bangladesh’s post-transition political landscape, testing the country’s fragile democratic institutions.

Bangladesh has renamed a major road in Dhaka as 'Felanī Avenue' to commemorate Felanī Khatun, a teenage girl killed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in 2011. The inauguration took place on Victory Day at Gulshan-2, where Local Government and Housing Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan stated that the nation demands an end to border killings. The event was organized by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and attended by senior government officials.

Adilur Rahman emphasized that the renaming serves as a reminder of the brutality Felanī faced and as a call to the global conscience about ongoing human rights violations along the Bangladesh-India border. Local Government Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi described the killing as a clear human rights breach, while DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz said the road’s name symbolizes national dignity and protest.

The move highlights Bangladesh’s continuing diplomatic and humanitarian concerns over border violence, urging stronger accountability and bilateral cooperation to prevent further civilian casualties.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam declared that Bangladesh must not be divided in the name of either the 1971 Liberation War or Islam. Speaking at a rally following the 'Anti-Aggression March' in Dhaka on Victory Day, he criticized decades of politics that have pitted religion and liberation ideals against each other, calling for a new, unified Bangladesh free from fascist tendencies.

Islam lamented that even after 54 years of independence, political divisions between pro- and anti-Liberation forces persist. He accused ruling and left-leaning groups of perpetuating this divide. NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain demanded that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdraw his statement referring to December 16 as India’s Victory Day, calling it a distortion of Bangladesh’s history. He urged the interim government to issue an official protest.

The rally, which began at Banglamotor and ended at the Central Shaheed Minar, saw participation from senior NCP leaders and activists. Party coordinators emphasized the upcoming election as a chance for political reform and national unity.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in a televised Victory Day address on December 16, declared that attempts by what he called 'fascist-terrorist' groups to destabilize the country would fail. Speaking to the nation, he urged citizens to remain calm, avoid rumors, and stay united against forces seeking to disrupt the democratic process. Yunus also called for prayers for Osman Hadi, who was recently shot, linking the attack to efforts to create unrest before the upcoming election.

The Chief Adviser emphasized that the interim government would ensure a peaceful and festive election, scheduled in two months. He praised the courage of the country’s youth, describing them as fearless defenders of democracy, and warned that anti-democratic elements were plotting to return to power through violence. His remarks, broadcast simultaneously on state and private media, were seen as a strong message of resolve amid rising political tension.

Observers note that Yunus’s speech aims to reassure the public and reinforce confidence in the electoral process, as security agencies remain on alert for potential violence in the pre-election period.

On Bangladesh’s Victory Day, December 16, 2025, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh leaders called for a renewed national commitment to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. In a statement to the media, Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman urged citizens to take an oath to resist what they termed 'Awami fascism' and 'Delhi’s dominance.' They commemorated the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and other historical struggles for freedom.

The leaders accused India of undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty through border killings, water-sharing disputes, and political interference. They also alleged that the ruling Awami League had maintained illegitimate power for 17 years with external support. Hefazat reiterated its commitment to resist conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the nation.

The statement reflects ongoing tensions between Islamist political groups and the government, as well as persistent nationalist concerns over Bangladesh-India relations. Analysts suggest such rhetoric could intensify political polarization ahead of future national movements or elections.

Police in Gaibandha’s Gobindaganj upazila have arrested six individuals, including four Awami League leaders, in connection with the vandalism of local offices belonging to the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. The arrests took place late Monday night during a police operation led by Sub-Inspector Selim Reza. The detainees were identified as residents of various unions under Gobindaganj and nearby districts.

According to Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque, the four Awami League leaders were accused in a case related to the vandalism incident, while the remaining two were detained in separate drug and warrant cases. All six were sent to Gaibandha District Jail on Tuesday following a court order. Police have not disclosed further details about the motive or extent of the damage.

The arrests come amid heightened political tensions in northern Bangladesh, where clashes between rival party supporters have occasionally turned violent. Authorities said investigations are ongoing and additional arrests may follow as part of broader efforts to maintain law and order in the region.

Interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus declared that no force could halt Bangladesh’s democratic progress through fear or violence. In a televised address to the nation on Victory Day, December 16, he condemned what he described as attempts by 'defeated fascist terrorists' to destabilize the country ahead of the upcoming national election, scheduled in two months. Yunus called on citizens to remain calm, avoid misinformation, and unite against those seeking unrest.

He emphasized that the government and people must ensure a festive and peaceful election season, highlighting the courage of the youth as a key safeguard for democracy. Yunus warned that groups attempting to return to power through violence were targeting young activists, but assured that their efforts would fail. He urged citizens to protect the younger generation and reject any return to 'old servitude.'

The speech, delivered amid heightened political tension, signals the interim administration’s intent to maintain stability and public confidence as Bangladesh prepares for a crucial electoral transition.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation on Tuesday evening, marking Victory Day 2025, and spoke with deep concern over the recent attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and independent candidate for Dhaka-8. Yunus described the shooting as an assault not only on one individual but on Bangladesh’s democratic journey and national integrity. He confirmed that Hadi, now in critical condition, has been sent to Singapore for advanced medical treatment under full government supervision.

Yunus emphasized that the government is taking the incident very seriously and that those involved have been preliminarily identified. He assured the public that no conspirator will escape justice, regardless of their position or location. The Chief Adviser also urged citizens to remain calm, avoid rumors, and resist provocations by what he termed “fascist terrorists” seeking to destabilize the nation.

The address underscored the interim government’s commitment to maintaining democratic progress and unity amid political uncertainty following the July uprising.

At a Victory Day discussion on December 16, 2025, Manarat International University Treasurer and former secretary Md. Monirul Islam stated that following the events of August 15, 1975, many people regarded that day as a 'Day of Deliverance'. He described the preceding period under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s rule as one marked by fear and insecurity, claiming that citizens suffered under the actions of the Rakkhi Bahini. The event was held at the university’s Ashulia campus to commemorate Bangladesh’s Victory Day.

Speakers including Professor Md. Mizanur Rahman and Dean Md. Mahbub Alam linked the 2024 July uprising to a renewed sense of freedom and divine intervention. They expressed hope that the unity of youth would sustain the nation’s progress. The program concluded with prayers for the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 uprising.

The remarks have drawn attention for revisiting sensitive historical narratives about the post-independence period and the 1975 political upheaval, reflecting ongoing debates about Bangladesh’s political past and national identity.

Interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening, marking Bangladesh’s Victory Day. The speech was broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and BTV World, commemorating the country’s triumph in the 1971 Liberation War.

Earlier in the morning, Dr. Yunus paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing floral wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. His address, delivered amid the day’s celebrations, focused on national unity, remembrance, and the ongoing responsibilities of the interim administration. The event drew wide public attention as the country reflected on its 54th Victory Day.

Observers note that such national addresses serve to reinforce collective memory and provide direction during transitional governance. The Chief Adviser’s participation in both ceremonial and formal events underscored the government’s emphasis on honoring the nation’s founding values while addressing current challenges.