The Bangladesh Navy detained two associates of identified criminal Jamal Uddin, known as 'Socket Jamal', during a special operation in Bhola early Saturday. The suspects, Hasan (44) and Selim Kazi (48), were arrested from a tin house near Borkandaj Jame Mosque in Baliakandi village under Dhania Union of Bhola Sadar upazila. Authorities said the two were preparing to carry out election-related violence. They were later handed over to Bhola Sadar Police Station for legal action.

According to a Navy press release, the operation was based on secret intelligence indicating that the suspects were planning violence on behalf of a political group ahead of the national election. Recovered items included a single-barrel pipe gun, a single-barrel shotgun, two local weapons, nine rounds of 7.62 mm police ammunition, three shotgun cartridges, and one rocket parachute flare. The Navy noted that the recovered bullets are typically used by police, raising questions about how they came into the suspects’ possession.

Bhola Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge confirmed the arrests and said legal proceedings are underway. One of the detainees was hospitalized due to illness.

At a press conference held on Saturday at the National Press Club in Dhaka, the civic group Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) revealed that 832 candidates in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election have annual incomes below 500,000 taka, representing about 41 percent of the total 2,026 candidates. The findings were based on an analysis of affidavits submitted to the Election Commission.

Sujon’s data further showed that 95 candidates reported annual incomes exceeding 10 million taka, while 741 earn between 500,000 and 2.5 million taka. Another 132 candidates earn between 2.5 and 5 million taka, and 71 between 5 and 10 million taka. A total of 155 candidates did not fill in their income information. Among those earning over 10 million taka annually, 51 are from the BNP, 25 are independents, and five are from the Jatiya Party.

The analysis also indicated a slight decline in both high- and low-income candidates compared with the previous election, where 8.77 percent earned over 10 million taka and 45 percent earned under 500,000 taka. This year, those figures stand at 4.59 percent and 41 percent respectively.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), issued a statement on Saturday condemning a police attack on the Inquilab stage in front of Jamuna, Dhaka. The attack occurred during a protest demanding justice for the killing of July fighter Shaheed Osman bin Hadi. Pradhan alleged that fascist and foreign agents were hiding within the interim government and must be identified.

In his statement, Pradhan claimed that after the attack, leaders of the Chhatra Dal celebrated on social media and through phone calls. He accused those opposing the “Yes” vote of supporting the violence, suggesting that orders for the attack came from Delhi to Gulshan and then to law enforcement. He further alleged that both Chhatra Dal and Chhatra League members disguised themselves to prepare for renewed attacks during a protest at Shahbagh.

Pradhan also claimed that meetings were held in Delhi to plan joint sabotage by Awami League and BNP on February 11 to disrupt the February 12 election, asserting that student groups and allied parties were ready to defend the country for the next five years.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Noakhali-4 constituency and district Ameer Md. Ishaq Khondaker stated that his party would not engage in fake voting and would resist anyone attempting to cast fraudulent ballots. He made the remarks on Friday night during a press briefing at the Jamaat office in Maijdee, the district town. Khondaker also condemned what he described as the humiliation and harassment of women, expressing strong protest against such actions.

During the briefing, Khondaker alleged that an ID hacking incident had occurred and criticized a major political leader for making inappropriate comments about the matter. He said arrests had been made and investigations were ongoing. He defended the Jamaat Ameer, describing him as respectful toward women and incapable of making offensive remarks.

Khondaker further accused unnamed groups of distributing fake “family cards” and collecting money under false pretenses, calling it a form of fraud and deception. Several local Jamaat leaders and alliance candidates were present at the press conference.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that Bangladesh was deliberately excluded from the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, which begins today. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, February 7, he said the exclusion was a planned act that insulted both the nation and its cricketers. He expressed solidarity with the players and lamented that the country was deprived of the right to participate on the global stage.

Dr. Rahman stated that the absence of Bangladesh from the tournament deprived fans of the joy of cheering for the national team. He described the situation as a humiliation for the nation and urged unity to restore Bangladesh’s dignity in international sports. He also emphasized that the country should not bow to any dominant power and vowed to see Bangladesh regain its rightful place with pride and strength.

According to the report, Bangladesh had participated in every T20 World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 2007 until this edition.

A joint team of police and army recovered 17 live hand grenades from a jungle in Mulai Beparikandi area of Bilaspur Union under Jazira upazila in Shariatpur early Saturday. Locals first noticed suspicious objects behind the house of a man named Sidom Bepari and informed law enforcement. The grenades were found stored in two buckets, prompting immediate security measures and a cordon around the site. No arrests were made during the operation.

The discovery has caused widespread concern among residents, raising questions about the purpose behind storing such a large number of explosives. Locals fear the grenades might have been stockpiled as part of a plan for major sabotage. Police Inspector (Investigation) Abdus Salam confirmed the recovery and said the matter is under serious investigation to identify those involved.

Authorities have increased patrols and surveillance across Jazira upazila to ensure public safety while investigators work to determine who placed the grenades and for what purpose.

BNP Central Election Steering Committee spokesperson and chairman’s adviser Mahdi Amin alleged that a political party is preparing for planned election engineering. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s Gulshan office in Dhaka on Saturday, he cited the recovery of six illegal ballot seals in Lakshmipur as evidence, claiming they were made under the instruction of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader. He said the incident, along with reports of mass production of burqas and niqabs for fraudulent voting, indicates a conspiracy to influence the election.

Amin urged the Election Commission to ensure adequate female polling officers in women’s booths and to enforce voter identification by unveiling faces, as per existing regulations. He also warned of previous incidents where the same party allegedly collected NID and mobile payment numbers and noted reports of extra ballot printing. Additionally, he expressed concern over irregularities in election observer approvals, citing one little-known organization receiving disproportionate authorization.

He called on the Election Commission and the interim government to take necessary steps to guarantee a level playing field for a free, fair, and neutral election.

The Chattogram Port Raksha Sangram Parishad has announced an indefinite strike starting Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 8 a.m., protesting the decision to lease the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and demanding withdrawal of disciplinary actions against workers and employees. The announcement was made by convener Md. Humayun Kabir at a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club. The strike has been supported by the Chattogram Workers-Employees Unity Council (SKOP) and the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal.

The organization’s four-point demand includes canceling the lease plan with DP World, removing Port Chairman M. Moniruzzaman, reinstating all employees affected by previous disciplinary measures, and ensuring no legal action against labor leaders. The workers had earlier suspended their blockade for two days after discussions with the shipping adviser Brigadier (Retd.) Sakhawat Hossain but resumed protest following new restrictions on 15 workers imposed by the port authority.

The Parishad stated that despite earlier 96-hour work stoppages, the government took no initiative to resolve the crisis, prompting the indefinite strike that could again disrupt operations at Bangladesh’s main seaport.

A new study has revealed that a mysterious viral illness in Bangladesh, initially thought to be a Nipah virus outbreak, was actually caused by a different and potentially deadly bat-borne virus known as Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV). According to a report cited by The Independent, five patients were hospitalized between December 2022 and March 2023 with fever, vomiting, headache, fatigue, excessive salivation, and neurological symptoms. All had consumed raw date palm sap, a known source of bat contamination, but tested negative for Nipah virus.

Researchers confirmed PRV infection after genetic analysis of both patients and bats captured near the Padma River basin. The study, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, found that all five patients suffered severe respiratory and neurological symptoms, unlike the milder PRV cases reported in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. One patient later died in 2024 due to neurological complications.

Scientists urged enhanced surveillance in areas where raw date palm sap is consumed, emphasizing that health risks extend beyond Nipah virus and calling for broader monitoring of bat-borne pathogens.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman will participate in a total of 14 election rallies across various constituencies in Dhaka city. BNP Chairperson’s adviser Mahdi Amin announced this at a press conference in Gulshan on Saturday, February 7, 2026. According to the schedule, Rahman will address six rallies in Dhaka North constituencies on Sunday, February 8, and eight rallies in Dhaka South constituencies on Monday.

On Sunday, he will speak at rallies in constituencies including Dhaka-17, Dhaka-16, Dhaka-15, Dhaka-14, Dhaka-13, and Dhaka-11, with events scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The following day, he will attend rallies in Dhaka-17, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-4, Dhaka-6, and Dhaka-7, beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing through the evening.

The announcement highlights BNP’s intensified campaign activities in the capital ahead of upcoming elections, with Rahman personally addressing voters in both northern and southern parts of Dhaka.

Former Water Resources Minister and ex-MP for Thakurgaon-1 constituency Ramesh Chandra Sen died after falling ill in prison on Saturday, February 7, 2026. He was taken to the emergency department of Dinajpur Medical College Hospital at 9:29 a.m., where doctors declared him dead. Prison authorities said he suddenly became ill in Dinajpur District Jail that morning, and his condition deteriorated before he could reach the hospital.

According to jail officials, Sen had been in custody since August 16, when Thakurgaon police arrested him and sent him to Thakurgaon District Jail. The next day, he was transferred to Dinajpur District Jail, where he remained detained in connection with three cases, including a murder case. Sources described him as a well-known and influential political figure in Thakurgaon who had long been associated with the Awami League and served as Water Resources Minister.

News of his death has cast a shadow of grief over the political community in Thakurgaon and the northern region, with political leaders and supporters expressing condolences to his bereaved family.

A violent clash occurred in Ujolpur village of Darshana upazila, Chuadanga, on the night of February 6, when BNP activists allegedly attacked a Jamaat office and assaulted its workers. According to Begumpur Union Jamaat Ameer Mosharaf Hossain, two BNP members, Aslam and Shahjahan, entered the Jamaat office during a rally and began pushing and verbally abusing workers. When they were asked to leave, they returned with sticks, vandalized the office, and injured two Jamaat activists, Hasan Tarek and Mehedi Hasan. Later, Jamaat’s municipal Ameer Shahikul Alam Apu was also attacked while visiting the injured.

The incident led to heightened tension in the area as BNP supporters reportedly gathered at Darshana bus stand. Police, army, and BGB forces were deployed overnight to restore order. Jamaat leaders said they are preparing to file a case, while Chuadanga-2 constituency candidate and district Ameer Md. Ruhul Amin condemned the attack and urged calm among party members.

Darshana police confirmed that three people were injured—two from Jamaat and one from BNP—and that both parties have filed or are preparing complaints for further investigation.

A total of 422,960 postal ballots from expatriate voters have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Saturday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 10:15 a.m., 766,862 ballots had been sent to registered expatriates through the Postal Vote BD app, with 527,033 ballots received and 494,185 votes already cast. Additionally, 468,091 expatriate voters have submitted their ballots to postal services abroad, and returning officers have so far received 225,168 of them.

The Election Commission has also begun sending postal ballots to voters residing within the country under the ICPV system. So far, 694,146 domestic registered voters have been sent ballots, of which 381,007 have received them. Among these, 321,695 have voted, and 276,272 have submitted their ballots to post offices or drop boxes. Returning officers have received 83,942 domestic ballots.

In total, 1,533,684 voters at home and abroad have registered through the Postal Vote BD app to participate in the election and referendum via postal ballots.

The political alliance July Oikya announced a 'Rally for Bangladesh' program to be held at the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday at 3 p.m., where it will issue a strong call for 'India Out'. The rally is being organized to protest India's alleged sheltering of those involved in the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi and the 2024 mass uprising, its dominance in international forums including the ICC, its interference in the last four national elections, and what the group describes as anti-sovereignty conspiracies ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming thirteenth national election.

According to the announcement, representatives from various political parties, revolutionary organizations, and social movements will participate in the gathering. Following the assembly, a protest march will proceed from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shaheed Osman Hadi Chattar, intended to express public anger and resistance against what organizers term Indian aggression and collaborator politics.

The event is presented as part of July Oikya’s broader campaign to uphold the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising and to assert Bangladesh’s sovereignty in the face of perceived external interference.

Two cousins, Rafi Chowdhury, 17, and Atik Chowdhury, 15, were killed in a motorcycle accident in Dhamoirhat upazila of Naogaon. The incident occurred on Friday when they were returning home from a trip to Sapahar with friends. Their motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in front of Sapahar Godownpara, leaving both critically injured. Rafi was declared dead at the upazila health complex, while Atik died on the way to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

According to family sources, Rafi was an HSC first-year student at Sapahar Government Degree College, and Atik was a tenth-grade student at Madhail Al Insaf Islami Academy in Patnitala upazila. Their family has been left devastated by the loss. Khalna Union Parishad Chairman Alhil Mahmud Chowdhury confirmed the incident and said that the funeral prayer and burial would take place on Saturday afternoon at their family graveyard.

The tragic accident has cast grief over the local community as preparations continue for the cousins’ burial.