President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Banani Military Cemetery on Wednesday morning, marking National Martyrs’ Day. They placed floral wreaths separately after 10 a.m. and observed a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs. A smart contingent of the armed forces rendered a formal salute, accompanied by the sound of the bugle, followed by a special prayer seeking eternal peace for the departed souls.

National Martyrs’ Day, observed on February 25, commemorates the tragic events of 2009 when 57 army officers, including then Border Guard Bangladesh (formerly BDR) Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, were brutally killed during a mutiny at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka. Several civilians, including Shakil Ahmed’s wife, were also murdered during the two-day violence.

The day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces and civilians during the Pilkhana tragedy, with national leaders continuing to honor their memory annually.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, speaking during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. He said that although Iran had shown interest in making a deal, it had not yet committed to halting its nuclear weapons ambitions. Trump referenced the 2025 U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying Tehran had been warned not to restart its weapons program but continued pursuing nuclear ambitions.

Trump added that he preferred resolving the issue through diplomacy but emphasized that Iran would not be permitted to possess nuclear arms under any circumstances. His remarks underscored a firm stance on Iran’s nuclear activities and a continued focus on preventing Tehran from advancing its weapons program.

Iranian officials, however, have repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting their nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes. Before Trump’s speech, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media that Iran would never build nuclear weapons under any condition.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former MP Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and several Awami League ministers and MPs may be named as accused in the explosives case linked to the 2009 BDR mutiny. The case, filed under the Explosives Act, has remained pending for 17 years. Chief Public Prosecutor Borhan Uddin indicated that witness statements have mentioned these names, and legal provisions allow their inclusion pending discussions with higher authorities.

The case is being heard at the temporary court of Dhaka Special Tribunal-1, located in Keraniganj Central Jail, under Judge Dr. Md. Alamgir. As of now, 302 out of 1,345 witnesses have testified, with some implicating senior Awami League figures. The case currently lists 822 accused, about 250 of whom are on bail. The next hearing is scheduled for February 26.

The 2009 Pilkhana tragedy killed 74 people, including 57 army officers. While the murder case has reached the Supreme Court, the explosives case remains under trial. Defense lawyers have urged for a speedy verdict and renewed bail applications for the accused.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran is prepared to take any necessary step to reach an agreement with the United States. Both countries are preparing for renewed negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. The talks will include US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner meeting with the Iranian delegation.

The United States has continued discussions with Iran while also issuing threats of possible attacks. In response, Iran warned it would retaliate against American bases in the region if the US takes military action. Ravanchi emphasized that Iran is ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible and will approach the Geneva talks with sincerity and good faith.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated that President Trump’s first preference is diplomacy but that he remains willing to use force if necessary. She added that any attack or aggression against Iran would be met with a response according to US defense plans.

The Bangladesh government has announced the formation of a new and stronger investigation commission to ensure justice for the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, one of the most tragic chapters in the nation’s history. The announcement came on the 17th anniversary of the incident, which took place on February 25–26, 2009, at the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka, now known as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The massacre claimed the lives of 57 army officers and 17 others, including women and children.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made the announcement after a meeting of the law and order committee at the Secretariat. He said the government is committed to a thorough reinvestigation to identify those responsible and to ensure justice for the victims. The minister added that the decision aligns with the government’s election manifesto, which promised a fresh probe into the event. The new commission’s findings will guide subsequent actions, though further details were not disclosed due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) faces complex political and ideological challenges after assuming state power following the July–August 2024 mass uprising that ended one and a half decades of authoritarian rule. The new government must navigate the difficult process of democratic consolidation while confronting internal weaknesses in political culture and organizational structure. The party’s ideological position remains uncertain as it struggles between liberal democratic ideals and populist tendencies rooted in traditional nationalism.

The article highlights BNP’s internal identity crisis, balancing between secular liberalism and Islamic values that historically shaped its political foundation. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s emphasis on justice-based governance inspired by prophetic principles reflects a tension between religious morality and Western secular democracy. The party must reconcile these competing visions to maintain both its traditional support base and its democratic credibility.

BNP also faces internal disorder, with allegations of extortion and violence by some activists threatening its image. Unless the party curbs such behavior and strengthens institutional accountability, the spirit of the July revolution could be undermined, risking the erosion of public trust and political stability.

Mahmudur Rahman’s report in *Amar Desh* on February 25, 2026, examines the unresolved murder of Sharif Osman Hadi in Bangladesh, noting that while the shooter’s identity is known, the masterminds, motives, and support network remain undisclosed. The article questions whether police investigations are progressing and highlights suspicions of involvement by Indian intelligence agency ‘R’ and local sleeper cells.

Rahman draws parallels between Hadi’s killing and two earlier incidents abroad: the June 2023 assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a failed plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States. Both cases allegedly involved Indian operatives and professional hitmen. The report details how Hadi’s suspected killers fled toward India shortly after the attack, with conflicting accounts from police and social media sources about whether they crossed into Meghalaya or Assam.

The article concludes that uncovering the truth behind Hadi’s murder is a key test for Bangladesh’s newly elected government. It suggests that cooperation with the United Nations, FBI, and Canadian intelligence could ensure a credible and transparent investigation.

Sources indicate that the banned Bangladesh Awami League is planning a symbolic return to politics on March 26, Independence Day. The party, ousted after the 2024 student–public uprising, is reportedly mobilizing mid- and grassroots-level activists from within Bangladesh and abroad to mark its presence at the National Memorial in Savar. Law enforcement authorities have reiterated that no banned party is permitted to operate publicly, while other political groups aligned with the current government have declared zero tolerance toward such activities.

Reports suggest that Awami League leaders in exile, including in India, are coordinating efforts to reopen sealed local offices and reestablish organizational visibility. The party’s cultural wing has been active online, producing propaganda content. Intelligence sources claim that the group’s strategy includes using emotional and media-driven narratives to regain public sympathy. Meanwhile, the government has yet to decide on a formal response, though security agencies have briefed top officials on the situation.

Legal experts cited in the report note that any attempt to revive a banned party without court or government approval would be unlawful and politically risky.

The Bangladesh government has announced the formation of a new and stronger investigation commission to ensure justice for the 2009 Pilkhana massacre. The decision was revealed by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed after a law and order committee meeting at the Secretariat on Monday. He said the commission will conduct a thorough reinvestigation of the incident to identify those responsible and ensure justice for the victims. The announcement coincided with the 17th anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 57 army officers and 17 others at the then Bangladesh Rifles headquarters in Dhaka.

According to the minister, the decision to form a new commission aligns with the government’s electoral pledge to revisit the Pilkhana tragedy. He noted that the commission’s findings will guide subsequent actions, reaffirming the government’s full commitment to justice. The minister declined to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

The Pilkhana massacre, one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh’s history, continues to evoke national mourning and calls for accountability. The new commission is expected to reopen the path toward closure for victims’ families and the armed forces community.

Authorities at Lucknow University in Uttar Pradesh sealed the historic Lal Baradari building, which houses the campus’s only mosque, without prior notice. The closure prevented Muslim students from offering prayers since the start of Ramadan, prompting protests by several student organizations. Demonstrations were held late Sunday and Monday nights, with additional police deployed to maintain order. Protesters alleged that the administration deliberately locked the mosque to restrict prayers during the holy month.

University officials stated that the mosque was sealed due to the building’s deteriorating condition, describing it as structurally unsafe. Students countered that the 200-year-old structure had long served as a prayer site and that the gate was welded shut without consultation. On February 22, Muslim students prayed outside the locked building while Hindu students formed a human shield to ensure their safety, an act praised locally as a symbol of communal harmony.

Separately, former BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunpuria faced criticism after a viral video showed him refusing a blanket to a Muslim woman during a relief event in Rajasthan, drawing condemnation from opposition leaders.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that the underlying reasons behind the Pilkhana massacre are now clear to the people of a fascism-free Bangladesh. In a message marking National Martyred Soldiers Day on February 25, he said that after the killings, various false and misleading narratives were spread to confuse the public. He emphasized that the trial of the massacre is ongoing and refrained from commenting further on the judicial process.

Rahman noted that the massacre at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana on February 25, 2009, claimed 74 lives, including 57 army officers. He said the day had not been properly observed until 2024, when it began to be commemorated as National Martyred Soldiers Day following the country’s liberation from fascism. He expressed prayers for the martyrs and sympathy for their bereaved families.

The Prime Minister called the armed forces a symbol of national honor and valor, urging unity against any future conspiracies targeting them or the nation’s sovereignty.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has called on ministry officials to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in implementing the BNP’s election manifesto. Speaking on Tuesday at a familiarization meeting with officials of the ministry and its subordinate offices at the Secretariat, he urged them to avoid irregularities, corruption, and misuse of power while working toward building a prosperous nation.

The minister emphasized that the people are the true owners of the country and that officials must invest their intellect and labor to create a better future for citizens. He also stressed the need for close monitoring at every stage of government work to prevent waste of public funds and to maintain quality standards. Dulu further instructed that project selection should ensure practical relevance and effectiveness.

His remarks highlighted a focus on transparency, accountability, and efficient implementation of government projects aligned with the party’s declared commitments.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is set to make his first foreign trip since assuming office, traveling to Saudi Arabia this week. He is scheduled to depart early Wednesday to attend a ministerial-level meeting. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s adviser Humayun Kabir is also expected to accompany him on the visit.

According to the report, the meeting will take place at the Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah on Thursday. The session is described as an emergency meeting of the OIC Executive Committee, with participation from foreign ministers of member states.

The visit marks Rahman’s first international engagement as foreign minister and will involve discussions among OIC member countries on issues of mutual concern, as indicated by the meeting’s agenda.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called on the public and media users to refrain from spreading false and misleading information regarding its potential nominees for the reserved women’s seats in the National Parliament. The appeal was made on Tuesday through a press statement issued by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its Central Publicity and Media Department.

In the statement, Zubair said that several social media posts had circulated fake names claiming that wives or close relatives of senior Jamaat leaders were being nominated for the reserved seats. He dismissed these claims as completely baseless and intended to create public confusion. He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami operates as an Islamic, systematic, and democratic organization, where all major decisions, including nominations for reserved seats, are made according to its constitution.

Zubair further clarified that the nomination process for women members would be conducted in a fully constitutional manner and in consultation with the party’s women’s division. He urged everyone to avoid spreading misinformation and called on citizens not to be misled by such propaganda.

The newly appointed administrators of Dhaka North and South City Corporations have announced their commitment to make the capital free from terrorism. They made the declaration on Tuesday afternoon after paying tribute at the graves of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Alongside this pledge, they also expressed hope to resolve long-standing civic problems in the city.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam stated that tackling corruption and extortion to ensure an active administration is now a major challenge. The administrators emphasized their intention to restore order and address the issues that have affected city governance for years.

Their statements signal an administrative focus on improving governance and public safety in Dhaka, though specific plans or timelines for implementation were not detailed in the announcement.