Joint forces arrested three individuals, including a commander of the Rohingya armed group ARSA, in two separate operations in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday. The detainees were identified as ARSA commander Zahid Hossain alias Lalu, 38, and two alleged drug traffickers, Mizan, 35, and Rakib, 18. Authorities recovered local and foreign weapons, ammunition, and narcotics during the raids.

According to military sources, an army team from Ukhiya Army Camp conducted a raid in Palongkhali Union’s Nolbonia area based on intelligence, detaining two yaba traders and seizing drug paraphernalia, local liquor, and illegal weapons used in robbery and smuggling. In a separate morning operation, ARSA commander Lalu was captured from a tea shop inside Kutupalong Camp-1 (West), where a pistol and two rounds of ammunition were found on him.

Officials stated that legal action has been taken against the detainees. Sources said Lalu had long been involved in abduction, extortion, and arms trade within the Rohingya camps, and was accused of links to multiple killings under former ARSA leader Ataullah Jununi.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Kazi Mohsin Ahmad has called on voters in Habiganj-3 (Sadar, Lakhai, Shayestaganj) to elect the scale symbol to make the district free from corruption and terrorism. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon while addressing a street rally at Motaleb Chattar after launching a mass contact campaign from Eidgah Point in Habiganj town.

During his speech, Kazi Mohsin said the people of the country now want change and are uniting against looting, partisanship, and misrule. He added that if Jamaat comes to power, Bangladesh will become a welfare state where justice will prevail. The event was attended by district Jamaat Ameer Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman, newly joined member Chowdhury Ashraful Bari Noman, Islami Chhatra Shibir executive council member Muhibur Rahman, and Habiganj municipal Jamaat Ameer Atikul Islam Sohag.

The rally marked part of Jamaat’s campaign efforts in the Habiganj-3 constituency ahead of upcoming political activities in the region.

More than 472,000 expatriate voters have completed voting through the 'Postal Vote BD' mobile application, according to Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project. As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriates, of which 524,869 were received and 472,410 votes were cast. Additionally, 431,748 expatriate voters submitted their ballots to local post offices or mailboxes, and returning officers have so far received 41,178 of those ballots.

The Election Commission has also begun sending postal ballots to domestic voters registered under the ICPV system. A total of 662,191 ballots have been dispatched across the country. By 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 170,989 domestic voters had received their ballots, 131,691 had completed voting, and 104,165 had submitted their ballots to post offices or mailboxes.

Salim Ahmad Khan added that a total of 1,533,684 voters, both at home and abroad, registered through the 'Postal Vote BD' app to participate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum via postal ballots.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has urged all officials and employees engaged in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum to remain alert against fraudulent groups. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the EC advised them not to respond to suspicious phone calls. The warning follows reports that a fraud ring has been contacting election officials, claiming to arrange payment of election honorariums and attempting to collect their mobile financial service numbers.

According to the EC, all officials assigned to polling centers will receive their election honorariums through presiding officers after the completion of voting, in accordance with official procedures. The commission clarified that no individual or organization is authorized to contact officials for this purpose. It emphasized that any such phone calls are fraudulent and should be ignored.

The EC’s advisory aims to prevent financial deception and ensure the integrity of administrative processes during the national election and referendum period.

BNP candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury from Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf) constituency has said that those who vote for Jamaat-e-Islami will not be able to enter heaven. He made the remark during a recent street meeting in Baharchhara Union of Teknaf upazila. A video clip of his statement has circulated on social media, prompting widespread discussion and criticism.

In his speech, Chowdhury accused Jamaat-e-Islami of opposing both the creation of Pakistan and Bangladesh, claiming that the party’s politics have always gone in the wrong direction. He contrasted Jamaat’s approach with the BNP’s pledge to introduce regular monthly allowances for ordinary citizens if it comes to power. He urged voters not to be misled by Jamaat, emphasizing that only sincere worship accepted by God can lead to paradise.

The remarks have drawn attention online and stirred debate over the use of religious references in political campaigning in the constituency.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s adviser Mahdi Amin has said that the party is committed to ensuring freedom of speech, human rights, and the rule of law for all in future Bangladesh. Speaking at a meeting with the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy in Gulshan, Dhaka, he called on journalists to work together against electoral irregularities, manipulation, and engineering. He stated that if BNP assumes state responsibility, it will guarantee maximum press freedom and full protection and rights for journalists, as in previous BNP governments.

Mahdi Amin described the upcoming February 12 election as crucial, linking it to a 16-year struggle against what he termed a “passive arm” system. He criticized the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections as processes that deprived citizens of voting rights and extended partisan control over state institutions. He praised journalists for exposing electoral irregularities despite restrictions on the media.

He expressed hope that journalists would maintain neutrality in the coming election and reaffirmed that a future BNP government would ensure press freedom and freedom of expression for all citizens.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that the future of Bangladesh will be determined by the people’s votes, warning that any party that disregards the public will make life unbearable. He made these remarks on Wednesday afternoon at an election rally held at Bell’s Park in Barishal, marking his first visit to the city in two decades.

During his speech, Rahman alleged that a certain party was printing fake ballot papers and collecting mobile payment numbers from innocent women. He described the emergence of new oppressors linked to secret organizations and urged BNP leaders to stay close to the people over the next five years. Rahman also recalled initiatives taken during former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s tenure to promote women’s education, noting that BNP had made education free for girls up to the intermediate level.

He pledged that if BNP returns to power, women’s employment and dignity will receive top priority. Rahman arrived in Barishal by helicopter from Dhaka before addressing the large gathering at the historic Bell’s Park field.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed hope that justice will be ensured for the hacking of his verified X (Twitter) account. In a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon, he confirmed that the person involved in the hacking had been detained by law enforcement authorities. He thanked the police for their prompt action and said ensuring punishment would deter others from committing similar cybercrimes.

Earlier, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch arrested Mohammad Saroware Alam, an assistant programmer at Bangabhaban, in connection with the hacking. The arrest took place after midnight on Tuesday during a raid at a government quarter near the east side of the Rajarbagh Police Lines auditorium. DMP’s Detective Branch chief Additional Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam confirmed the arrest and said the suspect’s mobile phone and laptop had been seized for examination.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that legal measures against cybercrime are essential for maintaining control over digital offenses and ensuring a fair upcoming election.

Joint forces in Lohagara upazila of Chattogram conducted two separate operations early Wednesday, arresting a top criminal and another suspect’s father. The raids took place in the Barahatia area at around 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. Acting on intelligence, the team led by Lt. Colonel Mohammad Bhumedin detained Kala Babul, 35, from his home in Ward 7 of Barahatia Union, recovering one LG gun, two cartridges, seven machetes, and four mobile phones.

Kala Babul, son of Md. Yunus of Chakphirani area, was identified as a top criminal in the region. In a separate operation, the forces raided the home of the leader of the local criminal group “Tawhid Bahini” and arrested his father, Abu Taher, 65, son of the late Anu Mia. Both detainees were handed over to Lohagara Police Station following the operations.

According to the army official in charge, the operations were based on secret intelligence and aimed at curbing criminal activity in Barahatia Union.

A protest march was held on Wednesday in Santoshpur Union of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram, following an attack on the local Islami Chhatra Shibir president allegedly by a BNP leader. The demonstration began at 11 a.m. and moved through the main roads of Sandwip, with several hundred Shibir activists participating. The rally concluded with a gathering attended by Alaudin Sikdar, the 11-party alliance candidate for Chattogram-3 (Sandwip) and the Jamaat-e-Islami North District chief.

During his address, Alaudin Sikdar condemned attempts to establish political dominance in the area and the violent attacks on opposition activists. He urged that all those involved in the assault be brought under the law immediately.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night, February 3, when Union BNP president Shahadat Hossain and his group allegedly attacked Shibir president Ikramul Haider Nabil and his companions after prayers. Three people were injured and later rescued by the Coast Guard and police. They are now receiving treatment at Sandwip Upazila Health Complex, and a case has been filed with Sandwip Police Station.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived at Barishal’s Bell’s Park field at 12:26 p.m. on Wednesday to address a large public rally organized by the party’s city unit. Supporters greeted him with continuous applause as he waved in response before beginning his speech. His visit marked his first appearance in Barishal in about twenty years, drawing significant enthusiasm among party leaders, activists, and supporters.

Crowds began gathering from 10 a.m., with participants arriving from Barishal and nearby districts. By 11:30 a.m., the field was filled to capacity. The rally featured placards of local candidates and the BNP’s election symbol, the paddy sheaf, as slogans echoed across the venue. Candidates from 19 constituencies across Barishal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola attended the event.

According to the report, Tarique Rahman last visited Barishal in May 2005 to attend a union-level representative conference of the party.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to officially announce its election manifesto this evening ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. The announcement was confirmed by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its Central Publicity and Media Department.

According to the organizers, ambassadors from various countries, senior leaders of political parties, business figures, professionals, and senior media representatives are expected to attend the manifesto unveiling ceremony. The event marks a key step in Jamaat-e-Islami’s preparations for the national election.

The manifesto release is expected to outline the party’s political priorities and campaign commitments as it seeks to engage voters ahead of the national polls.

Police in Mirzaganj, Patuakhali arrested Anwar Hossain Babul Mallik, a local Awami League leader, on Tuesday. The arrest took place at Subidkhali Bazar as part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. Mallik, aged 60, serves as the joint general secretary of the Mirzaganj Upazila Awami League and is a resident of Chhailabunia village under Amragachia Union.

According to Mirzaganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Abdus Salam, the arrested leader was sent to Patuakhali district jail through the court. The police official stated that the operation would continue. The report described the Awami League as a banned organization in the area, and the arrest was carried out under that context.

Authorities have not provided further details about the specific allegations or the broader scope of the operation beyond confirming that it remains active.

At a public discussion titled 'Tarunyer Vabnay Agamir Bangladesh' held on February 3 at Comilla Town Hall, Dhaka University Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Abidul Islam Khan declared that Jamaat-Shibir has no opportunity to conduct politics openly in Bangladesh. He accused Shibir activists of initiating offensive slogans against Tarique Rahman at Dhaka University after July and criticized them for engaging in what he called 'obscene politics' against the late President Ziaur Rahman.

Khan further alleged that Jamaat-Shibir members committed atrocities during the Liberation War, including violence against women and collaboration in killings of Bangladeshis. He described them as internationally recognized collaborators and warned that their continuation of 'dirty politics' would bring consequences. The event also featured speeches by Dhaka University Treasurer Professor M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Professor Dr. Chowdhury Saima Ferdous as the chief discussant.

The remarks reflect ongoing political tensions between student groups aligned with major national parties and highlight the enduring sensitivity surrounding wartime history and political legitimacy in Bangladesh.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port began an indefinite strike on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, demanding cancellation of the lease of the NCT terminal to foreign company DP World and withdrawal of mass transfer orders. The strike was announced a day earlier by the Port Protection Struggle Council, coordinated by Md. Ibrahim Khokon. Council coordinator Md. Humayun Kabir said the protest would continue until the government withdraws from the lease process. Since morning, no trucks or lorries have entered the port, and workers have refrained from duty.

The strike follows three consecutive days of eight-hour blockades organized by labor groups including the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal. Port activities such as container handling, cargo delivery, and vehicle movement have come to a standstill, though unloading from large to small vessels at outer anchorage continues. Over a hundred ships are reportedly waiting offshore, many carrying Ramadan consumer goods.

Labor leaders and importers blame the government and port authority for the deadlock, while a shipping adviser stated the timing of the protest before Ramadan would be investigated for possible intent to raise prices.