The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has issued a statement regarding the joint forces’ operation in the Mohammadpur’s Chand Udyan area. According to the statement, security personnel surrounded both sides of a narrow alley when militants suddenly opened fire from the rooftop of a single-story building. In response, the forces returned fire in self-defense. Five suspected militants were arrested, and two bodies were recovered from the premises. Authorities also seized a pistol, four bullets, and a machete. The arrested individuals have been handed over to Mohammadpur Police Station for further investigation.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has declared that the nation is now stronger, more energetic, and more creative than ever before. Speaking at an event honoring recipients of the prestigious Ekushey Padak, he praised the younger generation for their bold aspirations, which he described as more ambitious than those of previous generations. He also emphasized that the spirit of the language movement played a crucial role in awakening the nation’s quest for self-determination.

Farmers in Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura border region have accused India’s Border Security Force (BSF) of destroying vegetable crops and uprooting Boro rice seedlings. Locals claim that BSF personnel, accompanied by Indian civilians, crossed into Bangladeshi territory and cut down crops including bottle gourd, beans, cabbage, and tomatoes. They also allegedly removed rice seedlings while claiming the land belonged to India. Upon receiving reports, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intervened, forcing the BSF to retreat. The BGB later proposed a flag meeting, where it was agreed that farming activities would not take place in disputed areas without proper land surveys.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has firmly rejected any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their homeland. During a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he reiterated the UAE’s opposition to such proposals. The UAE emphasized the importance of rebuilding Gaza and advancing a two-state solution for regional stability. Previously, the U.S. had proposed relocating Gazans to two Arab nations as part of a plan to seize control of Gaza, a proposal that has been widely rejected across the Arab world.

The body of a five-year-old child, Ibrahim Khalil Naim, was recovered from a pond in Nangalkot, Comilla. The child's family has alleged that he was murdered. Naim, son of expatriate Mohammad Ali, went missing around 11 AM. Locals searched for him and made public announcements via loudspeakers. His body was found floating in the pond at 3 PM, and he was rushed to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. The grieving mother claims her son was suffocated and then thrown into the pond, as there were visible injury marks on his body. The local police chief has stated that legal action will be taken if a formal complaint is filed.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has presented the Ekushey Padak to 18 distinguished individuals and the SAFF-winning women’s football team for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The ceremony was held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 11 AM. Award recipients include Mehedi Hasan Khan, Mahmudur Rahman, Shahidul Alam, Moinul Hasan, Niaz Zaman, Ferdous Ara, Nasir Al Mamun, Rokeya Sultana, Tanbin Islam, and Shabab Mustafa. Posthumous awards were received by representatives of the deceased honorees. The Ekushey Padak is awarded annually in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement.

The Department of Narcotics Control has arrested two drug traffickers with 428 bottles of banned alcohol in Chuadanga’s Badrganj area. Two motorcycles used for smuggling were also seized. The arrestees, Abul Kalam (43) and Russell (25), were caught in an operation based on secret intelligence. Inspector Nazmul Hossain Khan confirmed the incident, stating that the alcohol was found in two cartons strapped to the motorcycles. The seized alcohol is reported to be highly toxic.

Two leaders, Saidur Rahman Mostak (45), a leader of the Khan Khanapur Union Awami League, and Saiful Islam Ershad (40), a leader of the district Chhatra League, have been arrested in Rajbari in connection with an attack and gunfire during a public uprising. They were detained in separate operations by the DB and Sadar police on February 19. According to DB officers, Shahin Fakir filed a case on October 2, accusing them of attacking students and citizens during the protest at Goalondo Mor. The two will be presented in court on Thursday.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has urged the nation to observe International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day on February 21 through discussions and prayers. In a statement, he recalled the sacrifices of students and youth in 1952, who protested against the ruling authorities to establish Bengali as the state language, resulting in the deaths of several students, including Dhaka University students. He emphasized the need to protect the Bengali language from foreign cultural influences and also stressed the importance of continuing the struggle for voting rights and civil liberties.

A massive fire broke out at a sales center of Guardian Publications in Bangla Bazar, Old Dhaka, causing the loss of books worth millions. The fire started at around 4 AM on Thursday. Nazmul Huda, General Manager of the publishing house, confirmed the incident. According to him, the fire was reported to the fire service at 5 AM, and firefighters managed to extinguish it by 7:30 AM. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage for further details.

Rekha Gupta, MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has been selected as the Chief Minister of Delhi by the BJP. Her name was announced on Wednesday evening in front of the party legislators as the parliamentary leader. She will take the oath along with her cabinet members at Ramlila Maidan. Representing the Banik community, Gupta was previously a leader of ABVP. Notably, she became the Chief Minister in her very first term as an MLA. After 27 years, BJP has regained power in Delhi with 48 seats, while Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured only 22 seats.

In recognition of outstanding contributions in various fields, the Ekushey Padak will be awarded to 18 distinguished individuals and the SAFF-winning Bangladesh women's football team this year. The Chief Adviser will present the awards at a special ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Thursday at 11 AM. The event will be broadcast live on BTV. Established in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Ekushey Padak has been awarded annually since 1976 to prominent figures in literature, journalism, arts, education, research, economics, and other fields.

A delegation from Gano Odhikar Parishad is set to meet with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) today. The five-member team will be led by the party’s president, Nurul Haque Nur. This information was confirmed in a press release issued on Wednesday by Abu Hanif, a senior council member and media coordinator of the party. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3 PM on Thursday at the Election Commission headquarters. However, it remains unclear how many Election Commission representatives will be present at the meeting.

A shocking incident in Shreepur, Gazipur, saw a police officer being dragged for nearly a kilometer by an auto-rickshaw after attempting to impound the unauthorized vehicle. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media. The arrested driver, 24-year-old Jony Ahmed, ignored repeated pleas from passengers to stop the vehicle while the uniformed officer clung to the rickshaw’s metal frame. Local residents and police eventually intercepted and detained the driver at a traffic jam. Authorities have confirmed that legal action will be taken against him.

Gunmen have shot and killed a police officer tasked with providing security for a polio vaccination team in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pakistan remains one of the few countries still combating polio, and vaccination drives have been targeted by militants for years. Due to its location near conflict-prone areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen repeated attacks on polio workers and their security personnel. Despite heightened security measures, assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire before fleeing the scene.