Two veterinarians and a wildlife worker have been critically injured while treating an elephant wounded in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. They were flown to Dhaka by a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) helicopter for advanced medical care.

The injured have been identified as Dr. Hatem Sajjat Md. Julkarnaine, veterinary surgeon Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, and Md. Atikur Rahman, member-secretary of Save the Nature of Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar branch.

According to BGB, the team had gone to the hill area of Baluchhara Dakshin in Rajarkul Thoaiyngkata, Ramu upazila, on Friday afternoon to treat the elephant injured by a landmine blast. During the treatment, the distressed elephant suddenly turned aggressive and attacked the team, leaving all three severely injured. BGB personnel swiftly rescued them and arranged immediate evacuation to Dhaka.

Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has said Bangladesh has the opportunity to take a leadership role in South Asia’s maritime technology through its growing shipbuilding sector.

“Private shipyards are making significant progress, producing vessels of international standard and exporting them abroad,” he noted.

He added that after the ready-made garment industry, shipbuilding has the potential to become the country’s next major export earner.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that another controversial election would push the nation into uncertainty.

“Those making excuses to delay elections are not defenders of democracy,” he said. “Under Begum Khaleda Zia’s guidance, BNP is pursuing the democratic path. To build a true democracy, anti-fascist forces must unite nationally.”

He called on citizens to resist attempts to derail the electoral process, stressing that “those obstructing democracy with excuses are not on the side of democratic power.”

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has alleged that the 2008 election was “pre-planned and not free.”

Speaking at a party event, he said, “Awami League has systematically destroyed the country, including the education system.” He claimed nearly 5 million BNP activists faced politically motivated cases during Sheikh Hasina’s rule.

He added that the interim government has mentioned February for the next polls, saying, “We expect the Election Commission to announce a schedule soon.”

Political analyst Badiul Alam Majumdar has said a free and fair election cannot take place unless the government allows it.

“By February, an election is essential for the sake of the country,” he stated. “If a level playing field is not ensured, the polls will be biased. Another controversial election would push the country toward an uncertain future.”

Majumdar added that reforms are necessary, since repeating past methods will only reproduce disputed results. He stressed that political parties, field administration, and law enforcement must play their roles properly, as the Election Commission alone cannot guarantee fairness.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has criticized what he described as a “replacement of one dogma with another.”

Speaking about extortion allegations against those who led the recent movement, he asked: “Why are such accusations being raised? Is this a repeat of Sheikh Hasina’s tactics?”

Referring to the July uprising, Rizvi said, “Like the Ababil birds, children took to the streets, and democracy was freed.” However, he expressed concern over emerging religiously motivated influences, warning that “Hasina’s spirit seems to be haunting the country again.”

Adviser Asif Nazrul has claimed that Bangladesh has the capacity to provide quality healthcare, reducing the need for people to seek treatment in India or Thailand.

He criticized unethical medical practices, saying, “Patients are forced to buy specific companies’ medicines. In which country do pharmaceutical reps get doctors’ time? Are you doctors or drug company agents? Please stop this exploitation—the people of Bangladesh are poor.”

Nazrul recounted how his own household help was prescribed 14 unnecessary tests at a private hospital, which he later avoided by seeking treatment outside Dhaka. He also highlighted poor nurse wages: “If a nurse earns only Tk 12,000, how can she stay motivated to provide good care?” He urged hospital owners to reduce profit margins for the sake of fair healthcare.

The army has seized a large stockpile of weapons and explosive-making materials during a raid at a coaching center named Doctor’s English in Rajshahi city.

The operation led to the arrest of the center’s director, Muntasirul Alam Anindya (35), along with two others. Anindya is the son of former Rajshahi BNP vice-president Shofiul Alam Lattu and a cousin of former mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton. He had previously been arrested in connection with the Holey Artisan attack investigation and the murder of Professor Rezaul Karim Siddique.

Recovered items include two foreign air rifles, a revolver, six locally made weapons, explosives, GPS equipment, walkie-talkies, binoculars, passports, NIDs, six monitors, three computers, three scanners, and 35 bottles of alcohol.

BNP leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy has accused “communal forces and a defeated Awami League” of plotting to derail the upcoming election. Speaking at a discussion in Shahjahanpur Railway Alia Hafizia Madrasa, he urged all to remain vigilant.

“Neither the government nor the Election Commission can ensure a free and fair election on their own,” he said. “It requires the genuine goodwill of all contesting parties.”

He cast doubt on whether the election would even conclude properly, saying, “Until results are declared, we cannot be sure an election has truly taken place.” Goyeshwar also alleged years of repression against the people, including “inhumane treatment” of Khaleda Zia, vowing that a BNP government would put Awami League-era killings and crimes on trial.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has reaffirmed that the national election will take place on the date announced by the Chief Adviser. “We have nothing to add beyond Sir’s words. The election will be held on the declared date,” he told reporters.

Acknowledging rising extortion complaints in Mohammadpur and Mirpur, the adviser warned, “No extortionist, regardless of their identity, will be spared.” When asked about allegations of extortion involving another adviser, he declined to comment.

Chowdhury further stressed, “The power belongs to the people. If citizens are determined to vote, no force can prevent the election.”

Thieves broke into the Rupsha Ghat branch of Bangladesh Krishi Bank in Khulna on Friday night, stealing nearly Tk 16 lakh after breaking open locks and the vault.

Police confirmed that no arrests have been made so far.

Witnesses said a security guard noticed the bank’s collapsible gate lock had been cut around 10 p.m. and raised the alarm. Locals then informed Rupsha police.

Branch manager Kamrul Islam said more than Tk 16 lakh was stored in the vault, but only Tk 1,400 was recovered after the break-in.

Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam said the robbers broke multiple locks to enter the bank and then forced open the vault. “There should have been security at the time, but the guard was absent during the incident,” he added.

All import-export operations at Hili Land Port in Dinajpur have been suspended today in observance of Sri Krishna Janmashtami.

While port activities remain closed, cross-border travel through the immigration checkpoint for passport holders is operating normally.

Ferdous Rahman, president of the Hili C&F Agents Association, said imports from India and all internal port functions were suspended from Saturday morning in honor of the Hindu festival. Normal trade will resume on Sunday morning.

The National Congress Party (NCP) has announced it will not participate in any election held under the current constitution.

Party leader Hannan Masud accused Dr. Muhammad Yunus of attempting to secure a “safe exit” through an agreement with one political party. “By only consulting one specific party, an election date was declared,” Masud said.

He argued that until the “July Charter” receives legal legitimacy, those who support it remain “traitors.” According to Masud, the interim government has betrayed the July movement by legitimizing the constitution under Article 106, which he says does not authorize it to conduct elections.

“The government is now cornered, seeking a safe exit by trying to manipulate Article 106 through a new provision and a High Court ruling,” Masud added. The NCP has demanded a Constituent Assembly election, warning they will not participate in a general election without such reforms.

Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the large-scale looting of valuable white stones from the Volagonj quarry in Sylhet.

Earlier, a case had been filed against 2,000 unidentified individuals over the theft, which officials say has cost the state crores of taka. The case was lodged Friday night by Mohammad Anwarul Habib, Director General of the Bureau of Mineral Development.

According to the case statement, miscreants began illegally extracting and stealing stones from the government-registered Volagonj quarry after August 5 last year. Authorities have urged investigators to identify those involved and ensure legal action is taken.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said that introducing a proportional representation (PR) system alone will not ensure credible elections without proper reforms.

Speaking at a gathering in Chauddagram, he stressed that reforms must be legally institutionalized to prevent a repeat of “fascist rule” under the Awami League.

“We support the Chief Adviser’s call for constitutional changes,” Taher said, criticizing the premature announcement of election dates without prior reforms.