Armed pirates attacked four fishing trawlers—FB Tufan-2, FB Madina-1, FB Ma-1, and FB Tarek-1—off the coast of Patharghata in the Bay of Bengal. Seven fishermen were beaten and one was shot. The robbers made off with fish worth BDT 2 million, BDT 50,000 in cash, and 30 mobile phones. Coast Guard units later rescued the injured. Witnesses report the attackers spoke in a Chittagong dialect and wore masks.

Following the U.S. decision to impose a 125% tariff on Chinese goods, China is ramping up engagement with major trade blocs. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held virtual meetings with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Malaysian Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul. Both sides expressed eagerness to initiate negotiations on market access and electric vehicle pricing, and to redirect exports previously bound for the U.S. toward Europe. China reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN and all trade partners.

Former MP Morshed Alam and 84 Awami League leaders and activists have been named in a case over a 2018 attack on BNP candidate Zainul Abdin Farroque’s election rally. The current chairman and Kadra Union Jubo League president Gias Uddin Bhuiyan has been arrested. Other accused include Morshed Alam’s son and former Upazila chairman Saiful Alam Dipu, and Vice Chairman Golam Kabir.

RAB has arrested ASM Zulfikar Haidar, vice-president of Bakerganj Upazila Awami League, for allegedly financing crackdowns on student-led uprisings. A police team led by SI Tofazzal brought him from Dhaka to Barishal, later presenting him in court citing health issues. Zulfikar has been charged in a case related to an attack on BNP activists in Garuria.

Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, expressed partial satisfaction with the government’s ongoing reforms, despite the country’s many challenges. He praised Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his advisers for their constructive approach to rebuilding the nation. Criticizing some political factions obsessed with regaining power, he warned that elections without prior reforms would be a mockery. He also opposed Pahela Baishakh parades featuring drums and owl imagery, calling it a scripted cultural import from neighboring countries.

A delegation led by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mubarak Hossain met with local and foreign investors, pledging good governance and a corruption-free, investor-friendly environment. Addressing concerns on women’s empowerment, party representatives stated Jamaat supports it positively. They assured that during previous tenures, no corruption allegations were raised against their ministries. They committed to reforms, investment security, efficient one-stop solutions, and streamlined profit repatriation mechanisms.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have managed to destroy only 25% of Hamas tunnels, with 75% still operational, according to reports. In February, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told News12 he personally witnessed several tunnels entering Egypt—some open, some sealed. IDF sources claim Hamas fighters have dispersed among civilians to avoid direct confrontation, with many allegedly hiding inside tunnels.

Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has declared that in light of the current situation in Palestine, armed jihad is now an obligation for all Muslim countries, including Pakistan. He criticized superficial verbal condemnations, saying they are no longer sufficient. He emphasized that providing humanitarian, financial, and practical support to the Palestinians is a collective duty of the Muslim Ummah. He further stated that instead of gathering in conferences, people should have rallied in Gaza. Despite ceasefire agreements, Israeli bombardments continue, he said, accusing Israel of having no moral compass and consistently violating international law.

In an ongoing effort to maintain law and order, Bangladesh Armed Forces, under the direction of ISPR, conducted several joint operations across the country from April 3 to April 9. The nationwide crackdown resulted in the arrest of 608 individuals, including listed criminals, robbers, extortionists, fugitives, muggers, teenage gang members, drug dealers, addicts, and brokers. Seized items included 21 illegal firearms, 295 rounds of ammunition, various local weapons, stolen mobile phones, passports, laptops, counterfeit currency, foreign currency, and a significant amount of narcotics and cash. These actions are part of a broader initiative to restore stability in light of recent unrest.

Despite seizing a large sum of cash and gold during a raid at the home of a man named Harun in Teknaf, the joint forces reportedly excluded these items from the official case documents. A local plaintiff, Kaiser Ahmed, has been summoned to appear in court on April 13 to provide a written explanation. The court warned that legal action would be taken if his explanation is unsatisfactory. A spokesperson for the Coast Guard acknowledged a delay in submitting the seized items to the customs authority but confirmed they were deposited at the Teknaf Customs Warehouse on April 7 following higher-level orders.

Professor Mujibur Rahman, Central Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has declared that electoral reforms must precede any elections in the country. He warned that holding elections without addressing systemic issues would result in another shameful episode in Bangladesh’s history. “The people of this country no longer want to witness autocratic regimes or puppet elections,” he said. Professor Rahman also criticized the ruling government, saying that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s actions have tarnished Bangladesh’s global image and perpetuated decades of injustice and oppression since independence.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-1) has arrested Shahriar Hossain Saikat (32), Joint General Secretary of the Gazipur Metropolitan Weavers’ League (a pro-Awami League organization), along with six of his associates. Authorities seized a revolver, four rounds of ammunition, heroin, mobile phones, and cash from their possession. The others arrested include Shahanur Ahmed Amit (18), Hira (32), Bayezid (27), Jahid (19), and Nur Islam (27). According to RAB-1, Saikat was allegedly involved in drug trafficking and often displayed weapons in Tongi’s Mazar slum area. He is also accused of leading an attack on students during recent protests in Gazipur.

Former Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr. Syed Hamid Albar has stated that the Rohingya crisis can no longer be viewed as a bilateral issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh—it is now a humanitarian and security concern for the entire ASEAN region. He emphasized the urgency of a solution and noted that the warm relations between the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Bangladesh could be instrumental in achieving a sustainable resolution. Highlighting Myanmar’s pledge to repatriate 180,000 Rohingya refugees, Dr. Albar stressed, “Agreements alone are not enough—implementation is key.” Meanwhile, Jamal Shamsuddin called for decisive ASEAN leadership, and Pakistani diplomat Ahad Asad Abbas Khan urged for a joint OIC-ASEAN effort to form a united stance from the Muslim world, ensuring justice, protection, and voluntary repatriation for Rohingya refugees.

Hefazat-e-Islam has claimed that the traditional Hindu religious procession, Mangal Shobhajatra, has been imposed on the nation under the guise of inclusivity during the celebration of Pahela Baishakh. The organization argues that the original Ananda Shobhajatra has been replaced due to foreign influence—particularly from India—and demands that UNESCO reconsiders its recognition. Hefazat urged the Cultural Affairs Ministry’s adviser to formally write to UNESCO to correct what they called a “mistake.” Leaders emphasized their opposition to any idol-centric cultural practices in national celebrations, stating that in a Muslim-majority country, no element contradicting Islamic monotheism should be part of national festivities.

At an MoU signing with Japan’s Onodera User Run Inc., Advisor Asif Nazrul announced initiatives to increase employment opportunities abroad. Under the program, Bangladeshi workers will receive free training and certification for jobs in developed countries like Japan without incurring migration costs.