Gunfire broke out early Monday morning in the Debarpar area of Khulshi, Chattogram, following days of tension over a disputed piece of land. According to local accounts, the shooting began around 4 a.m. after an overnight standoff between two rival groups. The confrontation escalated into clashes involving sticks, homemade weapons, and brick throwing, continuing into the morning hours.

Residents reported hearing multiple rounds of gunfire in the quiet neighborhood, causing widespread panic. Many stayed indoors but recorded videos of the incident from their homes, showing groups chasing each other near an open field beside a road. Locals said both sides had been claiming ownership of the land for several days, and the early morning violence intensified the dispute. They also alleged that police were absent for a long time, allowing the situation to spiral out of control.

Police entered the area around 7 a.m. to restore order, according to residents. No confirmed casualties were reported, though several people were believed to be injured. Shops remained partly closed, and residents avoided the area out of fear.

A fatal road accident occurred early Monday on the Dhaka-Tangail highway near Sartail in Kalihati upazila, Tangail. A rod-laden truck traveling from Dhaka toward northern Bangladesh lost control and fell into a roadside ditch, killing 15 people on the spot and injuring 10 others. According to police, 13 of the deceased were residents of Rajendrabati to Chikla Bolakkhet area in Ward 3 of Varsha Union under Manda upazila, Naogaon, while two others were from Tanore upazila in Rajshahi.

Fire service officials reported that the truck was carrying both construction rods and passengers, all of whom were laborers. The injured were rescued and taken to Tangail General Hospital for treatment. The Elenga Fire Service and local police jointly conducted the rescue operation following the accident.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the cause of the accident or the condition of the injured, but initial reports suggest loss of control led to the crash.

Authorities in Kuliarchar upazila of Kishoreganj recovered more than one hundred sacks of government-allocated rice from a sawmill in the Khorkomara area on Sunday afternoon. The rice was found at the sawmill owned by Jillu Mia, located west of the railway line. Upon receiving the report, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Yasin Khondaker visited the site and ordered the mill sealed. The acting officer of the Kuliarchar LSD godown, Nasir Uddin, locked the facility following the directive.

After learning of the incident, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Md. Shariful Alam instructed local administration and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and take legal action against those responsible. The discovery has sparked anger and concern among residents, who questioned how government food aid ended up in a privately owned mill.

A three-member committee headed by the Upazila Agriculture Officer has been formed to investigate the source and purpose of the stored rice. The committee has been asked to submit its report within five working days. Officials confirmed that efforts are underway to identify and prosecute those involved.

The Bangladesh government has announced a large-scale initiative to explore oil, gas, and other mineral resources in the Bay of Bengal. At a press conference on May 25, 2026, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources revealed that international tenders have been invited for exploration in 26 deep and shallow sea blocks. The government plans to begin exploration by 2027, signing 25-year contracts for gas extraction and 20-year contracts for oil production with qualified multinational companies.

Officials explained that the new Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026 outlines a nine-year exploration period, including geological surveys and drilling phases. Petrobangla will hold a profit share of 40–65 percent in shallow waters and 35–60 percent in deep waters. Foreign investors will receive tax exemptions on imported equipment and may export gas or oil if Petrobangla declines to purchase. The gas price will range between USD 7.5 and 11 per MCF, linked to global oil prices.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud described the initiative as a new era for national energy security, emphasizing reduced import dependence and increased domestic production through foreign investment.

Joint forces began a large-scale operation on Sunday morning in the remote hilly areas of Jungle Salimpur and Alinagar in Sitakunda, Chattogram, following overnight armed attacks on two camps of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police. The assaults, which started around 1 a.m., involved groups of 40 to 50 armed assailants who used heavy weapons and excavators to cut roads and damage camp boundaries. Law enforcement personnel returned fire until about 3:30 a.m., after which additional forces surrounded the area. Several suspects have been detained for verification.

RAB-7 commander Hafizur Rahman confirmed that the attackers were organized and heavily armed, taking advantage of the hilly terrain for surprise strikes. The joint forces, comprising over 500 members from RAB, police, and other units, are now advancing on foot across roughly 3,000 acres due to blocked roads. Officials said the attackers are believed to be members of the Yasin gang, accused in multiple criminal cases, including murder of RAB personnel.

Authorities stated that a formal briefing will follow the operation, while the government has ongoing development projects in the Jungle Salimpur area, including a police training academy and district jail.

Fifteen people were killed and nine others injured when a rod-laden truck overturned and fell into a roadside ditch in the Saratail area of Kalihati upazila, Tangail, early Monday morning. The accident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on the Dhaka-Tangail highway near the Jamuna Bridge connecting road. According to the Fire Service, all the victims were reportedly from Chapainawabganj district in Rajshahi.

Tangail Additional Superintendent of Police Fauzia Habib confirmed that the truck, which had departed from Chattogram carrying rods and passengers, lost control and veered off the road. Rescue teams from the Elenga Fire Service recovered 15 bodies and sent nine injured individuals to Tangail General Hospital for treatment. Efforts are underway to identify all the deceased.

Authorities have so far identified six of the victims, hailing from Naogaon, Rajshahi, and Chapainawabganj districts. The cause of the loss of control has not yet been detailed, and investigations are ongoing.

A significant number of Indian cows and buffaloes are reportedly entering Bangladesh illegally through various border points in Sylhet ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Despite claims that Indian cattle are fewer in markets this year, local residents and traders say border areas such as Kanaighat, Gowainghat, Jaintapur, and Zakiganj have become active smuggling routes. Thousands of animals are said to cross nightly, transported through rural roads and farmlands to avoid detection.

Farmers allege that the influx of Indian cattle is hurting local livestock businesses, leaving them financially cornered. Reports suggest that influential local groups and some corrupt officials are facilitating the smuggling, allowing the animals to reach markets nationwide. Residents claim that trucks carrying smuggled cattle often pass police checkpoints without interference.

Police officials in Sylhet, including the district’s Additional Superintendent and Metropolitan Police representatives, stated that strict monitoring, checkpoints, and operations are underway to prevent illegal cattle entry. They pledged to strengthen surveillance and take legal action against those involved.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has introduced an AI-based automated traffic prosecution system across 30 major intersections since May 7, 2026, to curb traffic violations such as red-light running, wrong-way driving, and illegal parking. The system uses smart cameras to detect offenses, identify vehicle number plates, and automatically generate cases through integration with the BRTA database. As of May 23, the system recorded 611 cases, marking a visible shift in the city’s traffic discipline.

Officials said the initiative aims to modernize Dhaka’s traffic management and reduce congestion by minimizing manual checks. The DMP plans to expand AI camera coverage to 500 points citywide. Violation notices are now sent digitally via SMS and registered mail, with fines payable through banks or mobile banking. The system also includes solar-powered traffic signals to ensure uninterrupted operation.

Authorities acknowledge challenges in recognizing unclear or unauthorized number plates but have issued warnings to address the issue. DMP leaders emphasized that the goal is not punishment but creating a disciplined, technology-driven traffic environment in the capital.

Businessman and Bangladesh Premier League Sylhet team adviser Fahim Al Chowdhury has purchased the cow ‘Kalo Manik’ for Tk 2 million at the Diabari cattle market in Uttara on May 24, 2026. The cow, which gained attention last year when it was gifted to late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, will be sacrificed in her name during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Fahim announced the decision immediately after buying the cow, expressing emotional satisfaction over acquiring an animal associated with Khaleda Zia’s memory.

According to Fahim, Khaleda Zia had previously accepted the cow as a gift but later returned it to the original owner, advising him to sell it for financial stability. The seller, Sohag Mridha, said he brought the cow to the market to raise funds for his daughter’s medical treatment. Fahim paid the full asking price and also pledged to cover the child’s medical expenses. The cow reportedly weighs around 1,800 kilograms.

Market leaseholder Sheikh Farid Hossain confirmed that the transaction took place without bargaining, emphasizing the emotional significance attached to the animal’s history.

Two leaders of the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP), central leader Tarek Reza and youth leader Ayon Rahman Khan, were sent to jail custody following a court hearing in Jhenaidah on Sunday night. Police presented them before the court, where after hearing arguments from both sides, the judge ordered their detention. The information was confirmed by Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mahfuzur Rahman during a press briefing at 10:30 p.m.

According to ASP Rahman, Tarek Reza was detained at a restaurant in Jhenaidah where he had come to attend a press conference. Police took him into custody citing security reasons and later handed him over to the court due to an existing case against him. Another youth leader, Ayon Rahman Khan, was arrested in Jashore and also presented before the court.

ASP Rahman denied allegations circulating on social media that Ayon had been abducted, stating that he was produced in court within 24 hours and that his family was informed during the arrest process.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with the people of Palestine, reaffirming Bangladesh’s firm stance in support of their cause. He made the remarks on Sunday evening in Dhaka while attending a film screening organized by the Palestinian Embassy to mark the Nakba, or the 'Great Catastrophe'.

The Nakba refers to the 1948 displacement of a large number of Palestinians following the establishment of Israel. The Palestinian Embassy hosted a nearly two-hour film depicting the historical context of the event. Ambassadors, diplomats, prominent figures, and media representatives attended the screening.

At the beginning of the event, Palestinian Ambassador Yousuf Ramadan presented a commemorative token to the minister and expressed sincere gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for their continued support on the Palestinian issue.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recovered the skeletal remains of a woman and her son from a pond in Noakhali’s Sonaimuri upazila, two years after their disappearance. The remains were found on Sunday afternoon at the pond of Abu Amin’s house in Joyag village. The victims were identified as Komola Begum, aged 32, and her nine-year-old son Md. Noman. Three suspects, including two step-sons and a grandson of the deceased woman, have been arrested in connection with the case.

According to CID sources, the killings occurred in January 2024 over a family property dispute. The accused—step-sons Raju and Sagor, and grandson Tipu—allegedly murdered Komola and her son before burying their bodies in the pond during the dry season. The skeletal remains were recovered based on information provided by the arrested suspects following a prolonged investigation.

CID’s Additional Special Superintendent and Noakhali in-charge Md. Raisul Islam confirmed the recovery and arrests. He stated that a court case was initially filed, followed by a General Register (GR) case at Sonaimuri Police Station, leading to the arrests.

Bangladesh Bank has appointed Md. Khurshid Alam as the new chairman of Islami Bank following the resignation of the bank’s previous chairman, Zubaidur Rahman. The appointment was confirmed through an official letter sent to the bank’s managing director. The decision came shortly after Zubaidur Rahman stepped down from his position on Sunday.

Khurshid Alam previously served as a deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, having been appointed to the post in February 2024 under the then Awami League government for a three-year contractual term. However, after the Awami League lost power in August 2024, he and three other senior central bank officials appointed during that period were forced to resign amid staff protests. His new appointment marks his return to a key position in the country’s banking sector.

The central bank’s move to place a former deputy governor at the helm of Islami Bank indicates a reshuffle in financial leadership following political changes in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) headquarters issued a clarification on Sunday following media reports alleging that three Ansar members were arrested for creating disorder at the Prime Minister’s darbar in Gazipur. The force stated that the individuals identified in the reports were actually volunteer VDP members, not Ansar personnel, and were not authorized participants in the event.

According to the official statement, participation in the Prime Minister’s darbar requires strict security clearance and prior approval, which the three individuals did not have. They were not permitted to attend or take part in any related program. After the event, an internal inquiry found evidence of suspicious involvement by the volunteers, leading to legal action against them for internal misconduct rather than for causing any disturbance at the darbar itself.

The Ansar-VDP emphasized that the 46th National Assembly event was conducted in an orderly manner, with all authorized members following proper protocols. The force reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline, national security, and organizational integrity, warning that any actions undermining its image or internal order would face legal consequences.

In Lakshmipur’s Chandraganj upazila, a local transport labor leader allegedly cut down 60 Eid greeting festoons belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami’s upazila secretary Rezaul Islam Khan Suman. The incident occurred on Sunday, May 24, in the Mandari Bazar area, and a video showing the act spread on Facebook. The accused, Akhtar Hossain, is the organizational secretary of the district transport labor party and a former member of the Mandari Union Parishad.

Following the incident, tension erupted between BNP and Jamaat supporters in Mandari Bazar, leading to vandalism at a showroom named Channel Fashion. Witnesses said Suman confronted Akhtar about the reason for cutting the festoons, but Akhtar became angry instead of responding. Although the situation became heated, no major untoward incident occurred.

Police said they were informed about the unrest and sent officers to the scene. They stated that legal action would be taken after learning more details about the incident.