A joint security force in Boalmari, Faridpur, arrested Shamim Bin Ismail, a 22-year-old leader of the BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, early Tuesday. The operation, conducted late Monday night at his home in the Sotashi Momin Market area, led to the recovery of 49 Yaba tablets and various bomb-making materials. Authorities filed separate cases under the Narcotics Control Act and the Explosives Act.

Boalmari Police Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain confirmed the arrest, stating that it followed a tip-off about illegal activities. The suspect was presented before a Faridpur court on Tuesday morning. Law enforcement officials said they are investigating whether others were involved in the alleged activities.

The arrest has stirred local attention, with residents expressing concern over the presence of explosives in the area. Police have intensified surveillance and indicated that further arrests could follow based on ongoing investigations.

On Tuesday, marking Bangladesh’s Victory Day, the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), paid tribute at the mausoleum of late President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. The delegation, led by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Nurul Islam Noyon, laid floral wreaths and prayed for the martyrs of the Liberation War.

During the ceremony, Jubo Dal leaders reaffirmed their commitment to uphold democracy and national sovereignty, emphasizing Ziaur Rahman’s ideals of independence and multi-party democracy. They urged the youth to play a more active role in restoring democratic rights and protecting the spirit of the Liberation War.

The event comes amid renewed political mobilization by opposition groups ahead of upcoming national political activities, highlighting the BNP’s continued efforts to engage younger supporters through symbolic acts of remembrance and unity.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address to the nation on Bangladesh’s Victory Day 2025, where he expressed deep concern over the health of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He noted that the government has been monitoring her condition closely since the beginning of her illness and reaffirmed that she remains an integral figure in the country’s political and democratic history.

Yunus emphasized that the interim government has officially recognized Khaleda Zia as a ‘state figure of special importance,’ acknowledging her contributions to Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and democratic development. He assured that all necessary medical support is being provided in accordance with her family’s wishes, including the possibility of advanced treatment abroad if required.

The statement comes amid heightened public attention to Khaleda Zia’s health and signals the interim administration’s intent to maintain a respectful and inclusive political environment during the transition period.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has declared that those involved in the recent attack on activist Sharif Osman Hadi will face justice, assuring the nation that no conspirator will be spared. In a televised address marking Victory Day on December 16, Yunus described the assault as an attack on the country’s democratic journey and national integrity.

Hadi, spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July uprising, remains in critical condition and has been transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment. The government has reportedly identified several suspects and tightened security around key political figures. Yunus condemned what he called attempts by “defeated fascist forces” to destabilize the country through violence and urged citizens to remain calm and avoid misinformation.

The statement signals the interim government’s determination to maintain stability amid political tension. Authorities are expected to announce further investigative measures in the coming days as public concern over political violence continues to rise.

Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address on Victory Day 2025, calling for national unity, peaceful elections, and public endorsement of the July National Charter through the upcoming February 12 general election and referendum. He condemned the recent attack on activist Sharif Osman Hadi, describing it as an assault on democracy, and assured that those responsible would face justice. Yunus also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring medical care for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

The Chief Adviser highlighted major institutional reforms, including judicial independence, a new Police Commission Ordinance, and a restructured Human Rights Commission. He emphasized that the July Charter represents a historic opportunity for citizens to shape a corruption-free, accountable democracy. For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to vote by postal ballot. Yunus urged all political parties to ensure a festive, violence-free election environment.

Analysts view the speech as a defining moment in Bangladesh’s democratic transition, setting the tone for a potentially transformative election that could determine the country’s political and constitutional trajectory for decades.

In the run-up to Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, political parties are facing a surge of misinformation and propaganda on social media. False and distorted information, often spread using AI-generated content and fake media photo cards, has become a major concern for parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh. The rapid spread of fabricated statements and doctored visuals has extended from online platforms to mainstream television talk shows, creating confusion among voters and embarrassment for political leaders.

Party officials and digital experts warn that the misuse of AI tools and fake news tactics is undermining public trust and destabilizing the pre-election environment. Jamaat leaders have urged the Election Commission and government to ensure a level playing field by curbing disinformation, while fact-checkers report that much of the content originates both domestically and from abroad, particularly India. Analysts caution that without strict enforcement and public awareness, the disinformation wave could intensify, posing risks to electoral integrity and political stability in the coming months.

Two police officers were killed in a road accident on Tuesday afternoon near the toll plaza on the western side of the Lalon Shah Bridge in Bheramara, Pabna. The victims were Inspector Mozaharul Islam, newly appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Detective Branch (DB) at Ishwardi Police Station, and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kayes Uddin. The accident occurred when a covered van struck their motorcycle, killing both officers on the spot.

Additional Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar Sarkar confirmed the incident, noting that Inspector Mozaharul had joined his new post only a day earlier. Following the crash, highway police recovered the bodies and transferred them to the Bheramara Upazila Health Complex. Legal procedures are underway before handing the bodies over to their families.

The tragic deaths have cast a pall of grief over the local police force, with colleagues expressing condolences and emphasizing the risks officers face while performing their duties on the road.

A heated altercation broke out at Chittagong University on Tuesday when leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), led by branch president Alauddin Mohsin, attempted to assault Ibrahim Hossain Rony, the elected vice president of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Chaksu). The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m. during a Victory Day discussion at the university’s Jarultola area, disrupting the event.

Witnesses reported that the confrontation began after Rony mentioned the presence of external BNP activists on campus in his speech, which angered Mohsin. Rony later told reporters that those accustomed to bringing outsiders to campus were responsible for such unrest and urged all student leaders to act responsibly. Attempts to reach Mohsin for comment were unsuccessful.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions among student political groups at the university, raising concerns about campus safety and the influence of national politics on student affairs. University authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the confrontation.

On December 16, 1971, as Pakistani forces formally surrendered in Dhaka, the city’s residents were largely unaware of the historic moment unfolding inside the cantonment. While Indian troops entered the capital around 10:40 a.m., and the unconditional surrender was signed at the Racecourse Ground at 5 p.m., most civilians learned of Bangladesh’s liberation only later through radio broadcasts. Outside, freedom fighters emerged from hiding, and crowds shouted slogans of victory, even as sporadic gunfire echoed across the city.

Researchers and eyewitnesses describe a day marked by confusion and anticipation. Meetings between Indian Major General Gandharv Singh Nagra and Pakistan’s Major General Jamshed finalized the surrender terms, while inside the cantonment, tension persisted. Historian Mofidul Hoque and journalist Afsan Chowdhury recall that many Dhaka residents could not grasp the full scale of events until evening.

The surrender, signed by Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi and Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, ended nine months of brutal conflict and marked the birth of Bangladesh. Yet, fear and disbelief lingered in the streets, reflecting the trauma of a nation emerging from war.

A fatal road accident occurred on the Padma Bridge early Tuesday, leaving one person dead and at least 20 others injured. The collision took place when a Dhaka-bound Basumati Paribahan bus was struck from behind by a Kuakata-bound Padma Special Paribahan bus traveling at high speed. The deceased was identified as Md. Tofayel Mia, 27, a bus helper from Madaripur’s Dakshin Para area.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the Basumati bus sustained severe damage, and several passengers were critically injured. Emergency responders transported the wounded to hospitals in Dhaka and nearby districts. Mohammad Shahe Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Padma South Police Station, confirmed that both vehicles involved were seized and legal procedures are underway.

Traffic on the bridge was temporarily halted following the crash but resumed shortly after authorities cleared the site. Officials said the overall law and order situation and vehicular movement on the Padma Bridge have since returned to normal.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) organized a symbolic rally at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on December 16, displaying portraits of five prominent liberation-era figures — Sirajul Alam Khan, Siraj Sikder, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Major Jalil, and Sharif Osman Hadi. The event, led by NCP joint member secretary Arif Sohel, coincided with Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations.

During the program, Sohel criticized what he described as the monopolization of the Liberation War’s legacy by the Awami League and the Sheikh family. He argued that the 1971 people’s war was driven by farmers, workers, students, and the general public, independent of any single political party. The rally aimed to reclaim the Liberation War’s spirit for the people and to honor leaders he said had been erased from official narratives.

NCP announced that similar programs would continue in the future, signaling an effort to reshape public memory around the Liberation War and to challenge the dominant political narrative surrounding Bangladesh’s independence history.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled Indian goods and vehicles worth approximately Tk 3.5 crore in a series of operations across Habiganj district over the past 24 hours. Acting on intelligence, a special patrol from the 55th Battalion intercepted a covered van near Jagadishpur Muktiyoddha Chattar in Madhabpur upazila, about five kilometers inside Bangladesh from the border. Hidden compartments inside the van contained Indian sarees and shawls, while a separate sand-laden truck was found concealing cosmetics and cumin.

Additional raids in nearby border outposts recovered Indian liquor and onions. The seized vehicles were also taken into custody. Lieutenant Colonel Md Tanjilur Rahman, commanding officer of the 55 BGB Battalion, stated that the force continues its relentless operations to curb smuggling and narcotics trafficking along the frontier. He emphasized that such drives not only suppress cross-border crimes but also safeguard the nation’s economic and social stability.

Authorities indicated that intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations will continue to prevent illegal trade across the Bangladesh-India border.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central secretary general, Nurul Islam Saddam, stated that Bangladesh’s young generation is rejecting attempts to revive divisive political narratives from the past. Speaking at a bicycle rally marking the 55th anniversary of the country’s independence at Dhaka College, he accused certain groups of trying to create national division by resurrecting outdated political discourses.

Saddam recalled that post-independence restrictions on free speech and the establishment of one-party rule had led to famine and political instability, pushing the nation into crisis. He emphasized the need for patriotic and corruption-free leadership to build a new Bangladesh based on equality, human dignity, and social justice as envisioned in the independence declaration.

The rally, organized by the Dhaka College unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, began at the central Shaheed Minar and circled the Parliament area before returning to its starting point. Around five hundred students participated, with several central leaders addressing the event.

Bangladesh has achieved a new world record as 54 paratroopers performed a synchronized free-fall jump carrying national flags over Tejgaon Old Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday. The event, marking the 54th anniversary of the country’s independence, was organized by the Armed Forces and attended by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as the chief guest. The jump from nearly 12,000 feet symbolized each year of independence, creating the world’s largest flag-bearing parachuting display.

The team, named “Team Bangladesh,” included 46 army, 5 navy, and 2 air force personnel, along with BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun. The final six paratroopers honored Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in Sudan by carrying their names. Thousands of spectators gathered from early morning to witness the historic moment amid tight security. The event also featured a joint fly-past by the three services and a Victory Day band show.

Officials said the record highlights Bangladesh’s growing stature in international peacekeeping and military professionalism. Similar celebrations took place nationwide, with naval ships and military museums opened to the public.

Journalist, columnist, and corporate executive Md. Shakhawat Hossain has officially taken charge as the new editor of the Bangladeshi national daily *Amader Shomoy*, replacing Abu Sayeed Khan. The appointment ceremony took place on December 14 at the newspaper’s Tejgaon office in Dhaka, attended by publisher Dr. Khondkar Shawkat Hossain and senior staff members who welcomed the new editor with flowers.

In his address, Hossain pledged to uphold the newspaper’s legacy and strengthen its editorial quality and readership trust. He emphasized professional development for journalists and improved staff welfare. Hossain, who began his career in journalism before moving to the corporate sector, previously served as Managing Editor of *The Business Post* and currently leads Unique Hotel & Resorts PLC as CEO.

Widely recognized in Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality industry, Hossain also serves as a Vice President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. His appointment is seen as a bridge between media, corporate leadership, and national branding, potentially bringing a new strategic direction to *Amader Shomoy*’s editorial operations.