A leaked audio recording has triggered widespread concern in the Lohagara–Satkania area after it allegedly revealed a plan to shoot Chittagong-15 Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury in the leg. The conversation, which spread on social media, reportedly features Arman Uddin, the MP’s longtime personal assistant, discussing the plan with another unidentified person. Local discussions suggest the audio indicates a violent intent toward the elected representative.

Reporter investigations confirmed that one of the voices in the audio belongs to Arman Uddin, though the identity of the other speaker remains unverified. When questioned, Arman denied any involvement and stopped responding after being sent the audio clip. The recording includes remarks about preventing the MP from visiting Lohagara and references to armed readiness. Local sources claim the unidentified speaker may be linked to influential groups involved in sand and soil extraction.

Chittagong District Police Superintendent Md. Masud Alam stated that authorities are taking the matter seriously and are verifying the authenticity, source, and roles of those involved before taking legal action.

Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur, held its ‘Annual Paper Meet’ on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Academic Building. The event showcased the outcomes, innovations, and future prospects of research projects approved for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. DUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Engineer Mohammad Iqbal attended as chief guest, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Arefin Kawsar as special guest, and Professor Dr. Md. Anwarul Abedin presiding.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized that research-driven knowledge creation and technology-based solutions can significantly contribute to national industry, economy, and society. He called for more publications, patents, and collaboration with industry to raise research to international standards and urged the University Grants Commission to increase financial allocations for research. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor praised researchers’ creativity and stressed the need for practical application of research outcomes.

During the event, project directors presented their research goals, methods, findings, and potential applications. Participants engaged in discussions on interdisciplinary collaboration and implementation of research results, and certificates were awarded to project directors at the closing session.

Two children who went missing while bathing in the Jamuna River at Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur were found dead seven hours later. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when the children entered the river at Radhanagar Sunset Point area and were swept away by a strong current. A diving team from the Fire Service recovered their bodies after an extensive search lasting about seven hours.

The victims were identified as Israfil, aged seven, son of Firoz Mia, and Osman Gani, aged eight, son of Shamim Mia, both residents of Radhanagar village in Pingna Union. Following the recovery, police confirmed that the bodies would be handed over to their families after completing necessary legal procedures.

Authorities said the rescue operation began immediately after receiving the report of the disappearance, with both the Fire Service and local residents participating in the search effort.

Three people have been killed in a violent clash between two rival groups in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi, police confirmed after recovering the body of Latif Molla, 32, from the Meghna River on Thursday afternoon. The conflict, which began early Tuesday in Nilaksha Union’s Haripur area, stemmed from a long-running dispute over local dominance between groups led by Nazim Uddin and Alal Munshi. A case has been filed naming 30 individuals and listing 50–60 others as unidentified suspects.

According to local sources, the clash involved the use of spears, firearms, and other weapons, lasting several hours and resulting in property damage and arson. Osman Member’s son Anik Mia, 20, was killed on the first day, while Kawsar Ahmed, 37, was found dead the following day. Police and locals said the long-standing rivalry between the two groups had periodically caused tension in the area.

Police stated that no arrests had yet been made but that operations were underway to detain the accused individuals.

The Directorate of Primary Education has issued an urgent directive instructing all its offices and institutions to promptly pay outstanding and current land development taxes for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The order, signed by Assistant Director of the Finance and Revenue Division Selina Akhter, was circulated on Wednesday to all field-level offices under the directorate.

According to the directive, all offices under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education—including divisional deputy directors’ offices, district primary education offices, primary teacher training institutes, upazila and thana education offices, and government primary schools—must ensure payment of land development tax under code 3821102 from their allocated funds for the fiscal year. The directive emphasizes that timely payment is essential for proper management of government assets and maintaining financial discipline.

The Directorate has instructed all concerned officials to take immediate steps to comply with the order and complete the payment process without delay.

BNP Member of Parliament Md. Selim Bhuiyan alleged in the national parliament on Thursday that police in his constituency are working to make the government controversial. He said that when asked to take action against yaba traders, local police claimed they lacked vehicles to conduct operations. Bhuiyan urged that police be provided with necessary resources and that action be taken against drug dealers.

He further stated that many police officers are involved with drug users and yaba dealers, accusing them of being aligned with the Awami League. According to him, even after being transferred between stations, police and administrative officials such as UNOs and DCs continue to act in favor of the ruling party. Bhuiyan claimed that these officials ignore instructions from BNP MPs and instead pursue their own agendas.

He concluded that to properly implement the national budget, the police administration must be reorganized to ensure accountability and neutrality.

Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haq, Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, stated that the force remains firmly committed to combating piracy, drug and human trafficking, and ensuring the overall security of coastal communities in the Sundarbans. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon after inspecting the region’s security situation.

According to Ziaul Haq, under government directives, the Coast Guard is leading two special operations—‘Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans’ and ‘Operation Mangrove Shield’—to establish law and order and eradicate forest piracy. Continuous operations, intelligence efforts, and coordination with other law enforcement agencies have cornered pirate groups, leading to the recent surrender of notorious bandit Chhoto Suman and his associates.

He added that the establishment of the Coast Guard Station Harbaria in Joymonir Ghol, previously known as a pirate stronghold, has effectively disrupted the supply of logistics, weapons, and other support to criminal groups. Ziaul Haq condemned a recent attack and vandalism at the Harbaria station, calling it a regrettable and alarming attempt to undermine security operations, and said immediate action was taken afterward.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will act as a facilitator, not a regulator, in the ongoing media reform process aimed at ensuring press freedom. Speaking at a workshop held on Thursday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, he said the initiative seeks to create a widely accepted framework for a National Media Commission through open dialogue and stakeholder input. The ministry has brought together all sectors of the media for the first time to form an independent and strong national commission.

Swapan described the initiative as a milestone in promoting media reform and freedom, noting that the government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is implementing reforms across key sectors to build a democratic and welfare-oriented state. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury emphasized the importance of clear input from media representatives to make the commission effective, independent, and accountable.

Participants from various media organizations and associations discussed the commission’s framework and reached a consensus to draft a national action plan, offering recommendations and proposals for its formation.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka North unit and chairman of the Citizens Development Forum, stated that corruption and looting are depriving people of government healthcare services. He made the remarks on Thursday in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, while addressing a program organized by the Citizens Development Forum marking the completion of free cataract surgeries for 26 patients. The event was attended by several local leaders and councilor candidates.

Selim Uddin said healthcare is a fundamental right and that most countries provide free medical services to their citizens. He noted that although Bangladesh has such provisions, government hospitals suffer from malfunctioning equipment and misappropriation of medicines. He attributed these problems to rampant corruption and mismanagement in the health sector.

He emphasized that restoring good governance and building a corruption-free society are essential to ensuring proper healthcare for citizens, urging collective efforts to achieve that goal.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled its member (Rukon) S.K. Mohibullah from Paikgacha in Khulna for breaching party discipline. According to a press release issued by the party’s central publicity department on Thursday, the decision was made after Mohibullah announced his candidacy for the Union Parishad election, disregarding the party’s official decision.

The statement said Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar confirmed that Mohibullah, son of Md. Azizur Rahman Sheikh, had violated clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section 2 under section 62 of the party constitution by engaging in election activities independently. The party’s Ameer cancelled his membership and expelled him from the organization on June 18 after the allegations were proven beyond doubt.

The expulsion underscores Jamaat’s strict enforcement of internal discipline and its stance against members acting outside collective party decisions.

Three members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) South Division were seriously injured during a suspect arrest operation in the Gausia area of Rupganj upazila, Narayanganj. According to police, the incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Thursday when a four-member DB team went to arrest a suspect. Supporters of the suspect reportedly attacked the officers, injuring three of them.

The attackers allegedly forced the injured officers into a pickup truck and took them to Shantinagar Bazar in Ujithpura Union of Araihazar upazila, where they were beaten again. Local police later rescued the injured officers and admitted them to the Araihazar Upazila Health Complex. Among the injured, Sub-Inspector Mamun Matubbar’s condition was reported as critical.

Araihazar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Md. Sabjel Hossain stated that the injured officers were later sent to Dhaka for treatment and that an investigation is underway to identify those involved in the attack.

A team from RAB-14 recovered a homemade pistol during a late-night operation in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona district. The raid took place around 1:10 a.m. on Thursday in the Manushura area of Jaria Union, following intelligence that several arms traders were present for illegal arms trading. No arrests were made during the operation.

According to RAB-14 sources, the suspects attempted to flee upon sensing the presence of law enforcement. In their haste, they left behind a red market bag at the scene. RAB members later recovered the bag and, in the presence of witnesses, found a locally made pistol inside. The weapon was seized, and legal procedures were initiated.

RAB stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspects who escaped. The recovered firearm has been handed over to Purbadhala Police Station for further legal action.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday. The meeting was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Swadhin.

During the meeting, the British High Commissioner expressed hope that relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom would strengthen further under the current government. Discussions included proposals for British cooperation in technical education and training sectors, as well as opportunities to expand trade and British investment in Bangladesh, which could create new employment opportunities.

Sarah Cook also conveyed British interest in investing in the aviation sector following the opening of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir were present at the meeting.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the National Parliament building on Thursday. The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Swadhin.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Chinese ambassador congratulated Bangladesh on the election of Dr. Khalilur Rahman as President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2026–2027 session. During the discussion, both sides emphasized enhancing bilateral relations between China and Bangladesh, focusing on trade, investment, technical education, and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir were also present at the meeting, which highlighted the ongoing commitment to deepen cooperation between the two nations.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan informed the National Parliament that the government has adopted a long-term plan for the treatment, rehabilitation, employment, and monthly honorarium of fighters injured in the July uprising. He made the statement on Thursday in response to a written question from Jamaat-e-Islami MP Rokeya Begum.

According to the minister, injured July fighters are receiving free medical services at government hospitals, and those seriously wounded are being sent abroad for advanced treatment based on medical board recommendations. So far, 152 fighters have been sent to Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, and Russia, with 102 returning after treatment and 50 still under care abroad. A database of 3,241 interested families and fighters has been created for welfare and rehabilitation, and 1,937 names have been forwarded to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for training and rehabilitation.

Out of 14,369 gazetted July fighters, 13,344 are currently receiving monthly honoraria directly in their bank accounts, with payments for the remaining fighters under process.