Azad Hossain Khokon (52), a BNP activist acquitted in the assassination attempt case against Sheikh Hasina, passed away five days after his acquittal. Khokon had spent five years in prison before being released on bail on September 12 last year. He was acquitted on February 5 and died at his home in Ishwardi on February 11 at 10 PM. Family sources reported that he suffered a heart attack. Local sources confirmed that he was an accused in the attack on Sheikh Hasina’s train convoy. Following his death, the Pabna District BNP leadership expressed their condolences for the passing of their dedicated activist.

Malaysian authorities have detained 37 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis, in an immigration crackdown. The arrests took place during a midnight raid in Selangor on February 11, according to the Director General of Malaysia’s Immigration Department. Out of 82 detainees, authorities arrested individuals aged 19 to 50 for various immigration offenses. The detained migrants are from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Myanmar, though the exact number of Bangladeshis among them has not been disclosed.

Former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC), Ziaul Ahsan, appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal on February 12 in connection with cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The hearing is scheduled to take place before Justice Golam Mortuza’s bench. Earlier, on January 6, the tribunal had issued arrest warrants against 12 individuals, including the ousted Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions. The court had ordered their arrest and production before the tribunal by February 12.

After visiting the infamous ‘Aynaghar’ torture cells, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus described the experience as “a horrifying sight.” Speaking to the media after his inspection of Aynaghar locations in Agargaon, Kochukhet, and Uttara at 11 AM, he said, “No matter how much I had heard about the brutality, witnessing it firsthand felt unbelievable. Is this truly our world?” Reports suggest that between 700 to 800 such torture cells exist across Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser further stated, “What I have seen here is a reflection of the nation’s grim reality.” He assured that thorough documentation of these sites would be made for national awareness.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Superintendent of Police (SP) Tanvir Salehin Iman from the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sarada, Rajshahi. Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rajshahi Range Police, Sarwar Jahan, confirmed that a DB team from Dhaka took SP Tanvir Salehin Iman into custody last night. The exact charges against him remain undisclosed. Iman, originally from Kishoreganj, is the son of freedom fighter Md. Iqbal, a former General Secretary of the Awami League’s Karimganj unit. He joined the police force in 2010.

Retired Brigadier General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, an advisor to the interim government, has highlighted the crucial role played by the Ansar force in maintaining security and supporting development efforts. He noted that the force contributes to grassroots law enforcement, disaster response, anti-land grabbing operations, and diplomatic security. Additionally, Ansar personnel assist the military in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and provide security during major religious events.

Following the fall of the Awami League government due to the student-led uprising, the Supreme Court, under Article 106 of the Constitution, endorsed the formation of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. A legal challenge against the legitimacy of this government was dismissed, with the court ruling that the President acted lawfully in consulting the Supreme Court for guidance. The verdict also recognizes the July uprising as a significant part of Bangladesh’s history.

A bus parked overnight in Tongibari, Munshiganj, was set on fire early Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old helper named Shahabir, who was sleeping inside. The driver fled after the incident, and authorities are yet to determine how the fire started. Locals, who noticed the blaze and alerted the fire department, managed to extinguish the flames, but Shahabir’s body was later recovered from the charred vehicle.

Interim government Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus visited the controversial ‘Aynaghar’ detention site on February 12, accompanied by both local and international journalists. His assistant press secretary, Faiz Ahmad, confirmed the visit. The decision was made following a cabinet meeting on February 6. During a recent briefing, the Chief Advisor was presented with findings from the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, prompting him to inspect the site firsthand.

Tariq Abu Jabal and his family sought refuge in a school to escape Israeli airstrikes, but the attack still reached them—his wife was killed, and his child went missing. For a year, he had no knowledge of whether his son, Mohammed, was alive. Then, during a TV interview, Abu Jabal recognized his son’s face. It was later revealed that another family, also fleeing the bombing, had found the child alone and crying at the school and had taken him in. The reunion has given Abu Jabal a renewed will to live.

Ferry operations on the Daulatdia-Paturia route resumed after a 2.5-hour disruption due to heavy fog. On Wednesday morning at around 8 AM, authorities restored ferry movement after visibility improved. Earlier, dense fog had severely impacted navigation, leading to a full suspension of services at 5:40 AM out of safety concerns. During the suspension, six ferries remained anchored at the Daulatdia terminal.

Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement but holds Israel responsible for any delays or complications. Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed threats of war, Hamas released a statement accusing Israel of failing to uphold the terms of the ceasefire. Previously, Hamas warned that Israeli violations of the truce had reached a point where further negotiations were impossible. As a result, the militant group has indefinitely suspended the exchange of Israeli hostages. Hamas clarified that prisoner exchanges would resume only if Israel honors its commitments under the agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to resume military operations in Gaza if hostages are not released by February 15. The warning comes after Hamas indefinitely suspended hostage exchanges, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. According to Al Jazeera, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would continue fighting until Hamas is completely defeated. The ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, was disrupted by Israel’s alleged violations, prompting Hamas to halt the exchange process. In response, Netanyahu issued an ultimatum, making it clear that military action will resume if no progress is made on hostage releases.

Environmental adviser Rizwana Hasan has stated that the Sagar-Runi murder case will be given top priority for justice. Speaking at the ‘Sagar-Runi Human Rights Photo Award’ event, she emphasized that there is no reason for the case to remain unresolved. While previous complications arose due to a lack of cooperation from certain parties, the government is now refraining from interfering in the investigation. If the necessary evidence is obtained, the trial will be completed as quickly as possible. She acknowledged that delays in investigation reports have raised suspicions, but a fair trial would bring peace to the victims’ families.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by the court over allegations of making derogatory remarks against the Indian Army during the 2023 Bharat Jodo Yatra. The case stems from his comments made on December 16, 2022, regarding the clash between Indian and Chinese troops on December 9, 2022. The complaint alleges that his remarks were defamatory and harmed the reputation of the Indian military. Previously, Rahul Gandhi was convicted in a criminal defamation case, receiving a two-year sentence, which led to his disqualification from Parliament—though he later regained his seat.