The bodies of six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone attack in Sudan’s Abyei region have arrived in Dhaka. Their funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday at the Dhaka Cantonment Central Mosque, followed by burial with full military honors in their respective hometowns. The remains arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday afternoon aboard an Emirates Airlines flight.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack occurred on December 13 at a UNISFA base in Abyei, killing six and injuring nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers. Senior officials, including the Bangladesh Army’s Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Mizanur Rahman Shamim, received the bodies at the airport alongside representatives from the UN and civil aviation authorities.

Eight of the injured peacekeepers are being treated at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi and are reported to be out of danger. The incident has drawn condolences from military and diplomatic circles, underscoring the risks faced by Bangladeshi troops serving in global peacekeeping missions.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has begun online ticket sales for its 12th edition, with prices starting at Tk 200. Fans can purchase tickets exclusively through the official website www.gobcbticket.com.bd, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to sell tickets at physical booths this year. The Sylhet phase of the franchise-based T20 tournament will begin soon, with ticket sales opening at 4 p.m. today.

Ticket prices vary by stand: Tk 200 for the Shahid Turab Stand and Green Gallery/Green Hill areas, Tk 250 for Shahid Abu Sayeed Stand, Tk 500 for Club House (Upper), Tk 600 for Club House (Zero Waste Zone), and Tk 2,000 for the Grand Stand. The BCB expects the online-only system to streamline access and reduce crowding at stadium gates.

The move reflects a broader digital shift in Bangladesh’s sports ticketing, aligning with global trends toward online sales. Fans are encouraged to purchase early due to high demand for the Sylhet matches, which traditionally draw strong local support.

Rajshahi Warriors have become the first team to begin training for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 season, marking a shift toward greater professionalism in the franchise tournament. Led by coach Hannan Sarkar, the team unveiled its new jersey—dedicated to July revolutionary Sharif Osman Hadi—on the opening day of practice. All local players, including Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, attended the session, while six foreign recruits are expected to join the squad in Dhaka.

The Warriors’ overseas lineup includes four Pakistanis, one Nepali, and one Sri Lankan player. However, the team may lose some Pakistani players midway through the season due to national commitments. Sarkar confirmed that all foreign players currently hold full NOCs until the BPL final. The franchise is yet to announce its captain, though Shanto is the leading candidate, and young wicketkeeper Akbar Ali is likely to start ahead of Mushfiqur Rahim.

With a balanced mix of youth and experience, Rajshahi Warriors are being viewed as strong title contenders, aiming to set new standards of discipline and preparation in the BPL.

Three people have died after five vehicles, including a truck, fell into the Dhaleshwari River from a ferry in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The accident occurred around 10 p.m. at the Baktabali ferry terminal when a truck reportedly lost control mid-river, striking several smaller vehicles before plunging into the water. The truck driver and his assistant managed to swim ashore, but others were missing.

According to witnesses, the ferry had departed from Narsinghpur and was halfway across the river when the truck suddenly accelerated. The impact sent a motorcycle, two battery-run rickshaws, and a van into the river. Naval police later recovered the bodies of three victims — identified as motorcyclist Rafik, van driver Swadhin, and expatriate Masud. Authorities have temporarily halted the search operation for the night.

Police officials stated that recovery efforts for the submerged vehicles will resume Sunday morning. The incident has raised renewed concerns over ferry safety and vehicle management practices on river crossings in Bangladesh.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has charged a Bangladeshi national for allegedly running an online marketplace selling digital templates of forged US passports and Social Security cards. The FBI confirmed the operation on social media platform X on December 21, noting that the accused had been distributing highly sensitive document replicas that could be used to create fake identities.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Acting on a warrant from the US District Court in Montana, authorities seized several domains linked to the illegal activities. Visitors to the seized websites now see a notice displaying the logos of the FBI, US Department of Justice, and CTTC, stating that the domains were taken over under Title 18 of the US Code.

Officials have not yet disclosed the suspect’s identity or location, citing ongoing investigations. The case underscores growing cross-border cooperation on cybercrime and document fraud prevention between the United States and Bangladesh.

The Bauphal Press Club in Patuakhali has elected a new executive committee, with Md. Jalilur Rahman of the daily *Amar Desh* chosen as president and Md. Jasim Uddin of *Manabkantha* as general secretary. The election took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025, under the supervision of local administrative officials. Rahman secured 19 votes to win the presidency, while Jasim Uddin received 35 votes for the general secretary post.

ABM Mizanur Rahman from *Prothom Alo* was elected vice president with 36 votes. The election was overseen by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sohag Milu as the returning officer, with other local officials serving as presiding and assistant presiding officers. The newly elected committee includes representatives from several national and regional media outlets.

The committee will serve for a two-year term, aiming to strengthen professional collaboration among journalists in Bauphal. Members expressed optimism that the new leadership will enhance press freedom, ethical reporting, and community engagement in the region.

At least three people went missing after a truck lost control on a moving ferry and pushed an auto-rickshaw and two motorcycles into the Dhaleshwari River in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. near the Boktabali ferry terminal. The truck driver and his helper managed to swim ashore immediately after the accident.

Local authorities, including the Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, police, and fire service units, rushed to the site. However, due to cold weather and darkness, a full-scale rescue operation could not be launched overnight. Witnesses reported that the truck suddenly started its engine mid-river, lost control, and struck the vehicles ahead, sending them into the water. Among the missing are a couple traveling in the auto-rickshaw and a recently returned expatriate.

Officials said a diving team from Dhaka was on its way to assist in the rescue. The administration has instructed all relevant agencies to take maximum measures as the search continues Sunday morning.

A violent clash erupted in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali on Saturday night when members of a banned Awami League faction allegedly attacked a local BNP office, injuring at least five opposition activists. The assault took place around 7:30 p.m. at the Bhairab Bazar area of Char King Union, reportedly led by local union council member and Awami League leader Abu Taher. Attackers vandalized the BNP office and beat several BNP and affiliate organization members.

According to BNP activists, the attack was linked to a previous dispute over local dominance and a recent case filed against Abu Taher’s associates. Police confirmed that a confrontation occurred between two groups but downplayed the political aspect, describing it as a continuation of an existing local feud. Law enforcement officials said they had deployed forces to the area and made one related arrest later that night.

The incident underscores ongoing political tension in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, where rival party factions frequently clash over territorial and organizational control. Authorities are investigating the matter amid calls for stronger political oversight in the area.

Bangladesh’s joint law enforcement forces have arrested 5,949 individuals over the past seven days under the nationwide ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’. The Home Ministry’s public relations officer, Faisal Hasan, confirmed the figures on Saturday night, noting that several firearms were also recovered during the raids. In the last 24 hours alone, 783 people were detained, while over 20,000 motorcycles and 17,000 vehicles were searched, leading to the seizure of 356 illegal motorcycles.

The intensified operation was launched following the shooting of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi on December 13. At a core committee meeting that day, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the campaign aimed to recover looted and illegal weapons and suppress violent extremist groups. The first phase of the operation began in February 2025 after attacks in Gazipur prompted a coordinated law enforcement response.

Authorities say the current phase will continue until stability is restored, though human rights groups have urged transparency and due process in the ongoing arrests.

Bangladesh’s elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) has arrested Shahidul Islam, known locally as Buissha and described as a key lieutenant of notorious Chattogram gangster Boro Sajjad. The arrest took place on Saturday night near Finlay Square in the city’s 2 No. Gate area, where Buissha was intercepted while riding a motorcycle. RAB officials said he attempted to draw a pistol before being subdued.

According to RAB sources, Buissha had long been involved in extortion, intimidation, and armed operations across Chattogram. He allegedly managed field operations for Sajjad’s network, which has been linked to violent incidents targeting construction sites and business owners. Multiple criminal cases under the Arms Act and extortion laws are pending against him.

Authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough amid rising public concern over recent shootings and open weapon displays in the city. Investigators are now questioning Buissha to trace the group’s arms supply chain and identify other members. RAB said he will be handed over to local police following legal procedures.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is grappling with uncertainty over player selection for an alternative cricket tournament after eight teams withdrew from the Dhaka First Division Cricket League, reducing it from 20 to 12 teams. Many players who had registered or were waiting to be signed are now unable to participate, prompting them to submit a memorandum to the BCB seeking opportunities to play.

The confusion stems from the ‘token’ system, which serves as a transfer permit for players switching clubs. This season, players from lower divisions also collected tokens hoping to play in the First Division, complicating the selection process. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) plans to present the tournament proposal at the BCB board meeting on December 24 and will consult the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) for guidelines.

BCB will cover all expenses for the new tournament but is exploring sponsorships to offset costs. However, officials indicated that player remuneration will likely be lower than in the regular First Division League.

Police have converted the attempted murder case of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the July Revolution’s Inquilab Manch, into a homicide investigation following his death from gunshot wounds sustained on December 12. The application for conversion was submitted to a Dhaka court on Saturday, which subsequently directed that the case be investigated as a murder. Detective Branch Inspector Faisal Ahmed of the Motijheel zonal team has been assigned to lead the probe.

The original case was filed on December 14 by Inquilab Manch’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, naming Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified suspects. The case was later transferred from Paltan Police Station to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch. Law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 14 individuals in connection with the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, but investigators are focusing on possible political links and internal disputes. The case’s progression to a murder investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny of political violence and law enforcement accountability in the capital.

Large numbers of people continued to gather late into Saturday night at the grave of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, located beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque and adjacent to the mausoleum of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Visitors were seen praying and waiting to view the grave, even after security barriers around the area were lifted earlier in the evening.

Police officials confirmed that night-time security would remain in place for safety reasons, restricting public entry inside the cemetery. Only prayers from outside the main gates were being allowed. Earlier in the day, Hadi was buried near the mosque following a funeral prayer at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, attended by thousands, including political leaders, university officials, and family members.

Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the site amid ongoing public interest. The heavy turnout reflects widespread mourning and public solidarity following Hadi’s death, while law enforcement remains alert to ensure order around the high-profile burial site.

A funeral-in-absentia (gayebana janaza) for Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July Revolution movement, was held in Noakhali on Saturday afternoon. The prayer took place beside the district model mosque near the Deputy Commissioner’s office and drew participants from various political and social groups, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon, NCP, and Gana Adhikar Parishad.

Speakers at the event described Hadi as a selfless and courageous young man committed to non-communal ideals. They demanded a transparent investigation into his death and the immediate arrest of those responsible. Local leaders such as former Noakhali mayor Harunur Rashid Azad and student leaders from Shibir and JCD were present.

Following the prayer, members of the July All-Party Alliance declared the Bangabandhu Square in front of the DC office as “Osman Hadi Square,” symbolizing their respect and commitment to his ideals.

A memorial prayer and discussion meeting was held in Nawabganj, Dinajpur, on Saturday evening to honor the memory of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. The event took place at the local office of Jamaat-e-Islami and was attended by party leaders, local dignitaries, and community members. Professor Rezaul Islam attended as the chief guest, while Akram Hossain, a member of the Thana Working Committee, presided over the session.

Speakers at the gathering reflected on Osman Hadi’s contributions to the Islamic movement and his dedication to social and religious causes. The program concluded with a prayer session led by Maulana Rahmatullah Azadi, seeking blessings for the nation and forgiveness for the departed soul. Attendees later participated in the distribution of food offerings (tobarak).

The event underscored Jamaat-e-Islami’s continued efforts to commemorate its historical figures and reinforce its ideological roots within local communities in northern Bangladesh.