A massive explosion occurred at an LPG gas pump in the Kolatoli area of Cox’s Bazar city on Wednesday evening, leaving at least ten people burned. Six of the victims, identified as Abu Taher, Md Siraj, Abdur Rahim, Md Sakib, Motaher Hossain, and Abul Kashem, were admitted to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). Doctors said their conditions are critical, with burn injuries ranging from 20 to 90 percent of their bodies.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the fire started from a gas leak in one of the tanks at the pump. Workers initially tried to control the flames with sand and water, but a second explosion followed shortly after, spreading the fire further. The six most severely injured were transferred to CMCH for emergency treatment.

Earlier on Monday, a separate explosion in a residential building in Chattogram’s Halishahar area left nine people burned, five of whom later died. Four others remain in critical condition at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.

Police in Dhaka have arrested a 19-year-old man named Siam, also known as Imon, for the murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Shahriar Sharmin Binti in Hazaribagh. The arrest took place on Thursday morning during a raid in Kathalbagan, only hours after the killing. At a press briefing at the DMP Media Center, Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam said the murder was planned after Binti rejected Siam’s romantic proposal.

According to police, Binti, a student of Rayerbazar High School, was attacked on Wednesday night near Haidar Hotel in Hazaribagh while returning from shopping. CCTV footage showed her walking with Siam before he stabbed her multiple times and fled. Locals took her to hospitals where doctors declared her dead. Police recovered the bloodstained knife and clothes used in the crime from Siam’s possession.

The suspect confessed to planning the murder out of anger after Binti refused to continue their relationship. Police have produced him in court and sought remand. A murder case has been filed, and investigators aim to submit the charge sheet quickly.

A local BNP leader in Morelganj, Bagerhat, has been accused of stopping the construction of a madrasa building after allegedly failing to receive a Tk 2 lakh extortion payment. Contractor S M Badiuzzaman filed a written complaint with Morelganj Police Station, prompting police to visit the site on Wednesday to investigate the allegations.

According to the complaint, the four-story building of Gulishakhali Fazil Madrasa was being built by contracting firm Messrs Osman Ali. The contractor claimed that Hafizur Rahman, publicity secretary of the Nishanbari Union BNP, and several associates demanded Tk 2 lakh. When he refused, they allegedly halted the work and threatened his workers. Hafizur Rahman denied the accusation, saying the construction was stopped due to irregularities.

Madrasa principal Maulana Abdul Bari stated that the construction was proceeding according to regulations and that the institution had no complaints. However, he acknowledged hearing that the contractor had suspended work following local demands for money.

A Dhaka court has ordered steps to issue an Interpol red notice for the arrest of fugitive corruption case accused Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana. The order was given on Thursday afternoon by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the directive. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s assistant director A.K.M. Mortuza Ali Sagar had earlier applied for the notice, which the court approved after a hearing.

According to the ACC’s petition, Tulip is accused of abusing power to obtain a flat from Eastern Housing Limited without payment, using her political connections and influence over Rajuk’s legal officials. The case alleges she unlawfully received the flat as part of a criminal conspiracy.

Investigators stated that Tulip left the country before the case was filed and has been attempting to destroy evidence. The court noted that since she is abroad, issuing a red notice through Interpol is necessary to ensure her arrest.

The High Court has granted bail to former Cox’s Bazar Member of Parliament Abdur Rahman Bodi in a murder case related to incidents that occurred between July and August. The court issued the bail order on Thursday afternoon, according to the report published on February 26, 2026.

Bodi, who previously represented the Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf) constituency, was arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on August 20, 2024. At that time, RAB stated that he had been detained in Chattogram’s Panchlaish area in connection with an attempted murder case in Teknaf. Bodi was elected as an Awami League lawmaker in the 2014 general election but was later replaced by his wife, Shahin Akter, as the party’s nominee amid controversy over alleged involvement in drug-related activities.

The High Court’s decision marks a new development in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the former MP, who has faced multiple allegations over the years.

The United States has arrested a retired Air Force pilot accused of providing unauthorized training to Chinese military members. According to a statement from the US Department of Justice, 65-year-old Gerald Brown was detained in Indiana after returning from China, where he had been staying since December 2023. Authorities allege that Brown conspired with foreign nationals to train Chinese Air Force pilots in operating combat aircraft without the required State Department license.

Brown served 24 years in the US Air Force, leading sensitive nuclear weapons units, flying combat missions, and working as a fighter pilot and simulator instructor. After retiring in 1996, he worked as a cargo pilot and later as a defense contractor, training pilots on A-10 and F-35 aircraft. Investigators say he began discussions in August 2023 with Chinese citizen Stephen Su Bin, who previously served a prison sentence in the US for espionage, before traveling to China to begin training in December.

An FBI counterintelligence official said the arrest serves as a warning that the agency will hold accountable anyone who collaborates with adversaries to endanger US national security.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a drug smuggler with 100 bottles of Indian Eskaf during an operation at the Shibganj border in Chapainawabganj early Thursday morning. The arrest took place in the Jaminnpur area under Telkupi Border Outpost (BOP) of Binodpur Union. The detainee was identified as Sakibul Hasan, 20, son of Monirul Islam from Jaminnpur. The operation was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Golam Kibria, commander of the 59 BGB Mahananda Battalion.

According to BGB, the raid was conducted based on secret information. During the operation, three other suspected smugglers managed to flee the scene. The arrested individual and the seized drugs were later handed over to Shibganj Police Station for further legal action.

The incident highlights ongoing anti-smuggling efforts by BGB along the Bangladesh-India border, particularly in areas known for cross-border drug trafficking.

Police in Gazipur’s Tongi area arrested Abdullah Al Mamun Hawlader, a 44-year-old candidate for the presidency of the Tongi West Volunteer Team, on Wednesday night. The arrest took place in the Uttar Auchpara Khan-para area following a police operation based on a tip-off. Authorities stated that Hawlader was wanted in a drug-related case and had multiple other cases filed against him at Tongi West Police Station.

According to police sources, a team from Tongi West Police Station conducted the raid around 10:30 p.m. after receiving confidential information about his location. Officer-in-Charge Md. Shaheen Khan confirmed the arrest and said that legal procedures were underway. After completing the necessary formalities, the accused would be sent to the Gazipur court on Thursday.

The arrest highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts in Gazipur to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants, particularly those linked to narcotics cases.

A teenage girl named Rozina Sarker Pakhi from Naogaon’s Sapahar upazila died by suicide on Wednesday in a rented house near Kader Mondol Mor in Rajshahi city. According to police, she went live on Facebook and hanged herself from a ceiling fan. The incident reportedly followed emotional distress linked to her troubled relationship with an Indian youth.

Before her death, Rozina posted several emotional messages on her Facebook profile, indicating despair and a farewell to her friends. Police arrived at the scene after being informed and recovered her body. The Rajpara Police Station officer-in-charge confirmed the incident and said initial evidence suggested suicide.

Authorities are investigating whether the suicide was directly connected to her romantic relationship. The body has been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

A fisherman from Kutubdia upazila in Cox’s Bazar was shot dead by sea pirates while fishing in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred when the fishing boat FB Azufa Akhtar Manu, owned by Jasim Uddin of North Dhurung Akrabali Ghat, came under fire. The victim, identified as Shahadat Hossain Khokon, was taken ashore but died on the way. Police confirmed that his body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

According to the boat owner, the vessel had gone to sea three days earlier with 19 crew members. The Kutubdia Fishermen’s Association president, Md. Zainal Abedin, said sea robberies have increased over the past month, leaving fishermen fearful to go fishing. He claimed that despite informing the Navy and Coast Guard, no effective action has been taken.

Fishermen’s leaders have urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed to intervene to ensure safety at sea.

A fisherman named Shahadat Hossain was shot dead by sea robbers while fishing off the coast of Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred when a fishing boat carrying 20 fishermen came under fire after robbers attempted to board but failed. Shahadat, aged 17, sustained critical injuries and was taken to Kutubdia Hospital around 11:30 p.m., where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Tasnimul Abedin Rahat.

According to Nasir Uddin, the owner of the fishing boat, the incident took place around 2 p.m. while the crew was fishing in the sea. Kutubdia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubul Alam confirmed that Shahadat’s body was recovered and sent to the district hospital morgue on Thursday morning.

The report did not mention whether any suspects were identified or if an investigation had been launched following the attack.

Residents of West Ulon in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area staged a protest on Wednesday night, surrounding the local police station after the body of six-year-old Tahedi Akter was discovered in stagnant water at an under-construction building. The demonstrators demanded justice and blocked nearby roads, alleging foul play in the child’s death.

Police said the body was recovered on Tuesday night and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Tahedi, daughter of Md. Liton Mia from Comilla’s Titas upazila, lived with her family in West Ulon. Her uncle reported that she went missing while her mother was praying, and was later found unresponsive in the water pit. Family members expressed suspicion about the cause of death, citing inconsistencies such as the absence of water in her stomach and biscuit crumbs in her mouth.

Hatirjheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Mortuza confirmed that a murder case was being filed, though no suspects were named. He said the investigation was being treated with high priority.

A massive fire at a newly built LPG gas station in the Kalatali area at the entrance of Cox’s Bazar city was brought under control after seven hours of continuous effort. The blaze, which began around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the ‘N Alam Filling Station,’ was contained at about 1:45 a.m. Thursday through a joint operation by ten units from the Fire Service, Army, BGB, Police, and Air Force. At least 15 people were burned, with nine transferred to hospitals in Chattogram and Dhaka for advanced treatment. Around 50 nearby houses and shops were damaged.

District Commissioner Md. A. Mannan confirmed that several homes and vehicles were affected, and financial assistance will be provided to the injured. Police coordinated with other agencies to keep onlookers safe and minimize losses. Witnesses reported that the fire started from a gas leak and reignited after an explosion around 10 p.m., spreading to nearby structures.

Fire officials stated that the station was under construction and operating without formal approval or safety measures when the incident occurred.

Authorities in Gafargaon, Mymensingh conducted an eviction drive on Wednesday afternoon at the historic Saltia Bazar area, reclaiming government land valued at approximately Tk 25 crore. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Amir Salman Rony, who oversaw the demolition of illegal structures and unauthorized shop extensions built on public land.

The recovered land, located at the heart of the municipal area, will now be available for use by local residents and traders for market activities. The Gafargaon police and municipal authorities provided full support during the operation, ensuring the removal of all encroachments.

According to the Assistant Commissioner (Land), similar drives to remove illegal establishments and recover government property will continue in the future.

Pakistan’s security forces have killed at least 34 militants described as India-backed during operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released on February 26, 2026. The operations were carried out over several days based on intelligence reports targeting two groups identified as Fitna al-Kharij and Fitna al-Hindustan.

The ISPR said that on February 24, four separate clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the deaths of 26 members of Fitna al-Kharij, while eight militants from Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in an operation in Sambaza, Balochistan. One of the deceased was identified as an Afghan national. Additional operations were conducted in Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and North Waziristan districts, where further militants were killed after intense exchanges of fire.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, according to the ISPR statement. The operations are part of Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts in its northwestern and southwestern regions.