Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a man named Foysal Hasan, 26, with five gold bars worth Tk 7.75 million at the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah. The arrest took place on Friday afternoon at Khoshalpur Bazar, where BGB set up a checkpoint based on secret information. The gold was reportedly being smuggled to India.

According to Maheshpur 58 BGB Battalion Assistant Director Munshi Imdadur Rahman, the suspect was searched at the Khoshalpur Bridge checkpoint, where four gold bars and a small gold piece were found tied around his waist. The detainee, along with his mobile phone and bicycle, was handed over to Maheshpur Police Station.

Maheshpur Police Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that the arrested individual would be sent to court, and the seized gold bars have been deposited in the government treasury.

Hundreds of US military members, civilians, and their families have filed a civil lawsuit in a federal court in eastern Virginia against British American Tobacco (BAT) and one of its subsidiaries. The plaintiffs allege that BAT secretly supported North Korea for years, indirectly financing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah in developing weapons of mass destruction that caused harm to American citizens.

According to the complaint, BAT began producing cigarettes in North Korea in 2001 through a joint venture with a state-owned company. Although the firm announced its withdrawal in 2007 under international pressure, the US Department of Justice later said operations continued covertly through a subsidiary. A 2005 Guardian investigation first exposed the activity, and in 2023 a US Senate hearing revealed that about $418 million in transactions linked to BAT’s North Korea venture supported the country’s weapons program.

In 2023, BAT and its subsidiary reached a plea agreement with US authorities, admitting to sanctions violations and bank fraud, and agreed to pay $629 million in fines. The lawsuit claims funds from cigarette production and smuggling were used to aid attacks in Iraq and Kurdistan that killed and injured US personnel.

The Bangladesh Army, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, conducted a weeklong nationwide joint operation from January 23 to 29, arresting 504 individuals allegedly involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, robbery, juvenile gangs, and smuggling. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced on January 30 that the raids also led to the recovery of 48 illegal firearms, 75 rounds of ammunition, 95 crude bombs, and various local weapons and narcotics. The detainees were handed over to local police stations for interrogation and legal proceedings.

According to ISPR, the army continues to perform its duties with professionalism and discipline to maintain law and order across the country. Regular patrols and security operations are being carried out in different regions, including industrial areas where the army is also addressing labor unrest. The statement added that such operations will continue to ensure public safety and stability.

ISPR urged citizens to report any suspicious or unusual activities to the nearest army camp to support ongoing security efforts.

A three-year-old child abducted from in front of Mugda Government Medical College Hospital in Dhaka was rescued within 24 hours by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The main suspect, Md. Chan Mia, aged 41, was arrested during the same operation in Gaibandha district. The child, found unharmed, has been reunited with the family. Law enforcement agencies confirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest others involved in the abduction.

The abduction occurred on January 28 when the child, visiting the hospital with family for medical care, briefly went out of sight. The abductor took advantage of the moment, carrying the child away from the hospital area. Following the incident, Mugda police and RAB launched a joint search, analyzing CCTV footage and using technology-based tracking to trace the suspect’s movements.

Officials indicated that the abduction was premeditated and possibly involved more individuals. Based on the suspect’s initial confession, investigators are verifying information to locate potential accomplices. Authorities urged parents to remain vigilant in crowded public areas and to report any suspicious activity immediately to nearby police stations.

A passenger bus caught fire on Friday morning in Dhaka’s Uttara House Building area due to a suspected mechanical fault. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when a Bhuiyan Paribahan bus, parked by the roadside, suddenly emitted smoke from its engine before bursting into flames. Fire service units from Uttara arrived promptly and brought the blaze under control by 10:12 a.m. No injuries were reported as the bus was empty at the time.

According to police, the bus engine had been left running while the driver and his assistant went to a nearby shop. Preliminary findings suggest the fire originated from a mechanical malfunction or short circuit caused by the prolonged running engine. The interior of the bus was severely damaged, but nearby shops and vehicles were spared thanks to the fire service’s quick response.

Traffic on the busy Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway slowed briefly during the incident. Authorities are investigating whether any other factors contributed to the fire. The situation in the area has since returned to normal.

Three accused in a murder case who were mistakenly released from Mymensingh Central Jail without bail documents have been re-arrested by RAB-14. The elite force confirmed that the release occurred without proper authorization and that neither the district administration nor the police were immediately informed. The incident came to light on Thursday, sparking widespread discussion across the country.

The detainees—Anis Mia, Rashedul Islam, and Jakirul Islam from Tarakanda in Mymensingh—were captured during overnight operations in Tangail by two RAB-14 teams. Jail authorities admitted the release was a procedural error, explaining that a production warrant had been misinterpreted as a bail order. Mymensingh Senior Jail Superintendent Aminul Islam described the event as an “unintended mistake.”

Following the revelation, Deputy Jailor Zakaria Imtiaz was suspended for negligence, and a three-member committee was formed to investigate. The regional prison DIG stated that further legal action would be taken if additional involvement or intent was found. Police officials noted that the lack of timely notification complicated the re-arrest process.

A Bangladesh Navy officer named Nazmus Sakib, aged 38, was killed when a speeding bus hit his motorcycle at the Ghazibari Gate area of Patiya Bypass in Chattogram on Friday morning. Another navy sailor, Md. Ikram, aged 32, sustained serious injuries in the accident. Both were traveling from Patenga to Cox’s Bazar by motorcycle when the collision occurred. Sakib died on the spot, while locals rescued Ikram and sent him to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

According to highway police and local sources, the bus was moving recklessly when it struck the motorcycle, throwing both riders off the road. Officer-in-Charge Harunur Rashid of the highway police outpost confirmed the incident and said the bus responsible for the crash has not yet been identified. Efforts are underway to locate the vehicle. Both victims were stationed at the Bangladesh Navy base in Patenga.

Police investigations are ongoing to identify the bus and determine the cause of the accident.

Authorities and locals in Lalmonirhat have expressed concern that illegal goods, including possible weapons, may be entering Bangladesh from India and Bhutan through the Burimari land port under the cover of stone imports. The customs station currently lacks a scanner machine, making it impossible to verify the contents of Indian trucks carrying stones and powder materials. The issue has gained attention as the national election approaches, raising fears of potential misuse of unmonitored cargo routes.

Field observations show that between 320 and 400 trucks cross the Burimari port daily, with many Indian trucks unloading stones at local crushing sites outside the customs-controlled area without oversight. Some of these unloading activities reportedly continue late into the night, which is considered illegal. Locals fear that such unmonitored operations could be exploited by criminal groups to smuggle weapons or suspicious items.

Burimari Customs Assistant Commissioner Md. Delwar Hossain stated that the office has repeatedly requested the National Board of Revenue to install a scanner at the port, and the authority has assured that the issue will be resolved as soon as possible.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former Bhola Upazila Parishad chairman Mirajul Islam and his wife Shamima Akter for allegedly amassing wealth worth hundreds of crores of taka beyond known income sources and committing money laundering. The cases were lodged on Thursday by ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Monirul Islam at the Pirojpur Integrated District Anti-Corruption Office, with Deputy Director Aminul Islam assigned as the investigating officer.

According to the case statement, Mirajul Islam allegedly acquired immovable and movable assets worth over Tk 116 crore through his companies Ifti ITCL (Pvt.) Ltd, Ifti Enterprise, and South Bangla Trade International, while his legitimate income sources accounted for only Tk 17.71 crore. His wife Shamima Akter is accused of possessing Tk 24.45 crore in illegal assets through her firm Shimu Enterprise and transferring Tk 122.39 crore via bank accounts, violating money laundering laws.

The ACC noted that the couple’s firms obtained government contracts from the LGED but did not execute the projects, allegedly misappropriating around Tk 1,000 crore. Eight additional cases have already been filed over related offenses.

A man identified as Nurul Amin Munna, described by police as a top criminal in Cox’s Bazar, was killed by his maternal uncle on Thursday evening, January 29, in the Rumaliarchhara Bacha Mia’s Ghona area. According to family sources, the incident occurred after Munna demanded a share of his mother’s property. He was attacked with sharp weapons by his uncle Hamid Ullah and his sons, and later declared dead at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Munna’s girlfriend Kajol told reporters outside the hospital morgue that they were scheduled to marry on Friday, January 30, and that she was also injured while trying to save him. Police confirmed that Munna’s body was kept at the hospital morgue and said they were investigating those involved in the killing.

Law enforcement sources stated that Munna, from the Samiti Bazar area of Rumaliarchhara, was a known top criminal with multiple cases filed against him and had previously been detained several times with local weapons.

A beggar named Abu Taleb was allegedly assaulted in Mohammad Joma village under Kutubpur Union of Chuadanga Sadar upazila on Thursday morning for expressing support for the 'Dharipalla' electoral symbol. The accused are identified as Ashik, vice-president of Sadar upazila Jubo Dal, and Anik, president of Kutubpur Union Jubo Dal. Locals rescued the injured Abu Taleb and admitted him to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

According to Abu Taleb’s relatives and local sources, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. when he went out on his van to beg and got into an argument over his remarks supporting the 'Dharipalla' symbol. The two BNP leaders allegedly beat him and damaged his van. Police confirmed receiving a written complaint about the incident.

No immediate comment was available from the accused. The incident has sparked concern and anger among local residents, according to the report.

A crude bomb attack took place at the official residence of the Gopalganj District and Sessions Judge on Wednesday night around 9:45 p.m., according to local reports. Unidentified assailants threw a cocktail bomb at the premises, causing a loud explosion that shook the surrounding area and spread panic among residents. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported from the incident.

Following the explosion, Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah and other senior officers visited the scene. To ensure security, army personnel were deployed, and the area was cordoned off for evidence collection. Police recovered a can-like object from inside the boundary wall and began an investigation into the attack.

The superintendent stated that police and intelligence agencies are jointly working to identify and arrest those responsible. He suggested the attack might have been intended to create public fear ahead of the upcoming election. Authorities have strengthened security measures in the area to maintain law and order.

Fifteen passengers were injured when a Mamun Express bus lost control and overturned on the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway at Pantapara in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha, on Thursday morning. The accident occurred near the Hamko Battery showroom at the southern bus stand area of the municipal town. Witnesses said the Kurigram-bound bus from Chattogram lost control in front of a sand mound near Uttara Flour Mills and overturned, trapping passengers inside.

Highway police and fire service personnel rushed to the scene after receiving the report and rescued the injured passengers, sending them to the Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Gobindaganj Fire Service Station Officer Masud Rana said initial observations suggest the bus may have lost control due to excessive speed or the driver falling asleep, though an investigation is underway.

Gobindaganj Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Mozzafar Hossain confirmed the incident, noting that traffic on the highway was briefly disrupted but returned to normal after the rescue operation.

Three murder suspects were mistakenly released from Mymensingh Central Jail on Tuesday, January 27, without any bail documents. The incident was not immediately reported to the district administration or police and became public only after confirmation on Thursday, January 29. Following the revelation, Deputy Jailer Zakaria Imtiaz was temporarily suspended for negligence, and a three-member committee was formed to investigate the matter.

Prisons DIG Mohammad Touhidul Islam stated that the release occurred because a production warrant was mistakenly treated as a bail order. Senior Jail Superintendent Aminul Islam described the incident as an “accidental release,” saying the responsible officer freed the inmates by mistake. The released individuals—Anis Mia, Rashedul Islam, and Jakirul Islam—were all residents of Tarati in Tarakanda and accused in a murder case.

Police officials said they were not informed in time, which hindered efforts to re-arrest the suspects. Authorities have pledged strict legal action if further involvement or intent is found during the investigation.

A Dhaka court has again postponed the submission date for the further investigation report in the murder case of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Jonaid set February 3 as the new date after the investigating officer, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan, failed to submit the report.

According to court sources, Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in the Box Culvert area of Paltan on December 12, 2025, while traveling to Suhrawardy Udyan after Friday prayers and election campaigning in Motijheel. He was first treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, then transferred to Evercare Hospital, and later sent to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18. The case was subsequently reclassified as a murder case.

Earlier, on January 6, detectives filed charges against 17 people, including former ward councilor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal Karim Masud. Following dissatisfaction with that report, the court ordered the CID to conduct further investigation on January 15.