The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has called for a protest demanding swift and exemplary trials for recent incidents of rape and violence across Bangladesh. The announcement was made by DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem through a Facebook post at around 2 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026. According to the post, the protest march will begin after Friday prayers in front of the Dhaka University Central Mosque. The call for protest follows a tragic incident in Narsingdi, where a 15-year-old girl was reportedly abducted and killed after seeking justice for a rape case. Her body was recovered from a mustard field between Bilpara and Dorikandi areas of Mahishashura Union in Sadar upazila on Thursday afternoon. The case has sparked outrage and renewed demands for stronger action against gender-based violence. DUCSU’s initiative aims to draw national attention to the growing concern over sexual violence and the need for prompt judicial response to such crimes.

Fresh allegations of corruption and nepotism have emerged in the Jet A-1 underground pipeline project in Narayanganj. The project, designed to supply aviation fuel to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, has been linked to companies allegedly influenced by Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, a former security adviser to Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death for genocide. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) initiated the project in 2017 through a contract with the Navy Welfare Foundation Trading Company Limited (NKFTCL), but repeated delays, cost disputes, and contractor changes have plagued its progress. Initially valued at Tk 183.77 crore, the project faced multiple route changes and cost escalation requests from subcontractors China Machinery Engineering Construction Corporation and Baraka Engineering Limited. After disagreements over revised pricing, NKFTCL attempted to hand over the project to Buildstone Construction Company Limited, allegedly linked to Siddiq, at a higher estimated cost. Following the July revolution, the interim government reassigned the project to Engineering Construction Battalion 24 with a reduced budget of Tk 420 crore. Energy experts have warned that political interference could jeopardize fuel security. BPC officials expressed concern that ongoing corruption investigations against Siddiq may further delay the project’s completion.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led Defense Ministry announced that its forces carried out attacks across multiple areas of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the ministry’s statement, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and several others were captured alive during the operation. The statement also claimed that Afghan forces seized hundreds of light and heavy weapons and took control of two Pakistani army headquarters and 19 checkpoints. The ministry reported that eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in the clashes. It said the operation was launched in response to recent airstrikes by the Pakistani government inside Afghan territory. The statement did not specify the exact locations or timing of the attacks. The announcement marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both sides trading claims of cross-border assaults. The situation has drawn regional attention as both countries accuse each other of violating sovereignty.

Several former advisers of Bangladesh’s recently dissolved interim government have reported receiving threatening phone calls from individuals falsely identifying themselves as officers of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). The callers allegedly accused the advisers of irregularities during their tenure and warned them of consequences. Government and DGFI officials have confirmed that no such calls were made from their side. Two former advisers acknowledged receiving these mysterious calls, which were made through internet-based applications, often late at night or before iftar. The threats emerged after the BNP-led government took office on 17 February 2026, following the 13th parliamentary election. The interim government, formed after the July uprising, formally stepped down the same day. One of the advisers, Faruk-e-Azam Bir Protik, said he reported the matter to relevant authorities, who assured him the calls were fake. Another unnamed adviser said several colleagues were similarly targeted and that the calls referenced the interim government’s ban on the Awami League. Officials believe an unidentified group may be using the DGFI’s name to intimidate former advisers and create fear among them.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the Afghan Taliban made a grave mistake by attacking Pakistan. In a post shared by the Interior Ministry on social media platform X, Naqvi condemned the targeting of civilians and stated that Pakistan’s armed forces had given an appropriate response to what he called an open act of aggression. He described the attackers as cowardly enemies who struck under the cover of darkness and vowed that Pakistan would not allow its national security to be compromised. According to the report, the attack took place on Thursday, February 26, when Afghan forces targeted Pakistani military positions along the border. Afghan officials confirmed that several Pakistani soldiers were killed in the assault. In retaliation, Pakistan launched an operation named “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” during which airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force reportedly killed at least 133 Afghan soldiers and injured around 200 others. The escalating border violence marks a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighboring countries, with both sides reporting casualties and accusing each other of aggression.

Home Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has accepted an invitation to attend the iftar event marking the first anniversary of the National Citizens Party (NCP). The invitation was personally delivered by NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain at the minister’s residence late on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Akhtar later confirmed through a Facebook post that the minister gladly accepted the invitation. According to the post, the anniversary celebration will be held under the theme “The country will move on a new path, will not return to fascism.” The main program will begin with an iftar gathering at Dhanmondi Abahani Field, where Salahuddin Ahmed is expected to attend as the chief guest. The event marks the start of NCP’s anniversary activities, highlighting the party’s message of political renewal and its public engagement through a nationwide program.

The 18‑month tenure of Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government in Bangladesh ended on 17 February 2026 with the swearing‑in of a new administration led by Tarique Rahman. Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Delhi told *Amar Desh* that Indian policymakers are relieved by Yunus’s departure and eager to work with the new government. India was the first to recognize the 12 February election results, viewing the end of Yunus’s rule as a positive development. During Yunus’s tenure, Dhaka–Delhi relations were marked by tension as he pursued an independent foreign policy, challenged Indian positions on several issues, and strengthened ties with the United States, China, and Pakistan. Analysts said India repeatedly faced diplomatic pushback, including suspension of visa services and protests over cross‑border incidents. Delhi now sees Tarique Rahman’s government as an opportunity to restore influence and re‑engage on bilateral matters. Experts quoted in the report cautioned that despite India’s overtures, key challenges remain over water sharing, border killings, trade balance, and the future of agreements signed under Sheikh Hasina. Observers expect issue‑based cooperation but warn that mutual trust will take time to rebuild.

Afghanistan’s government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul early Friday, just hours after Afghan forces reportedly crossed the border for an operation inside Pakistan. Afghan officials said at least three explosions were heard in the capital, though the exact locations and casualties remain unconfirmed. Mujahid also claimed that Pakistan targeted Kandahar and Paktia provinces. The developments have raised concerns that the Qatar-mediated ceasefire could be collapsing. Earlier, Afghanistan said its cross-border operation was in response to a deadly Pakistani airstrike on Sunday that killed several people. Pakistan, however, maintained that its earlier strike targeted terrorist positions and dismissed Kabul’s claim of capturing military posts as “provocative.” Pakistani security sources told Geo News that their air force destroyed an ammunition depot in Nangarhar province, killing 133 Taliban members and injuring over 200 in retaliation for alleged border provocations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both countries to protect civilians and adhere to international law, while his spokesperson emphasized the need for intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply intensified along the border, with Pakistani security sources claiming that the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, destroying a major ammunition depot. A Pakistani government official said the strikes were in response to what Islamabad described as ‘provocative attacks’ from the Afghan side, resulting in the deaths of 133 Taliban government members and injuries to more than 200 others, according to Geo News. Security sources said Pakistan launched ‘Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq’ after alleged border violations by Taliban forces. Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office on foreign media, stated that 72 Taliban fighters were killed and over 120 injured, with 16 Taliban posts destroyed and seven captured. He added that Pakistan’s positions remained intact and no Pakistani soldiers were killed or captured. Zaidi accused ‘Indian proxies’ of spreading misinformation about Pakistani losses. The report noted that cross-border clashes and airstrikes have occurred repeatedly in recent months. Pakistan has accused militants of using Afghan territory to launch attacks, a claim the Taliban government denies. The escalating conflict has raised fresh concerns over regional security.

Afghanistan launched an attack targeting Pakistani military positions along the border, killing several Pakistani soldiers, according to Afghan officials. The assault took place on Thursday and was described as a response to recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information stated on X that Afghan forces opened fire without provocation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and warned that a swift and effective response would follow. An Afghan military corps media office reported that intense fighting began late Thursday night, describing it as retaliation for Pakistan’s recent air operations. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that Afghan forces carried out large-scale attacks on multiple Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line, claiming to have killed numerous soldiers, captured several others, and seized 15 outposts. The cross-border violence follows Pakistan’s earlier strikes on Sunday that, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan, killed 13 civilians. Islamabad claimed those strikes killed 80 armed fighters, while Kabul said 18 people were killed, underscoring the conflicting narratives and rising tensions between the two neighbors.

An imam from one of Utah’s largest mosques narrowly escaped injury after being targeted in a shooting on Monday evening during Ramadan. Imam Shuayb Din of the Utah Islamic Center was leaving his home for prayers when multiple bullets struck his car. Although he was unharmed, police recovered eight shell casings from the scene and released an image of a white passenger vehicle suspected to be involved. No arrests have been made, and the motive remains unconfirmed. Din told local media that the attacker appeared to have prior knowledge of his residence, vehicle, and schedule. He said he had no personal enemies but feared the incident might be an Islamophobic hate crime. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and urged stronger security for Muslim communities. Utah State Senator Nate Blouin condemned the attack as an attempted murder, calling it horrific and unacceptable. He also suggested a possible link between the shooting and ongoing Islamophobic rhetoric in U.S. politics.

The Indian Navy’s multinational maritime exercise ‘Milan 2026’ concluded on Wednesday in the Bay of Bengal after a week of operations. The large-scale drill involved 42 warships and submarines, 29 military aircraft, and naval units from 18 friendly countries. The closing ceremony was held aboard India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant near the Visakhapatnam coast, under the theme ‘Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration.’ According to the Indian Navy, this year’s Milan exercise was the largest in its history, aimed at strengthening coordination, mutual understanding, and cooperation among participating navies. France, Germany, and the United States contributed maritime surveillance aircraft to the exercise. The initial ‘Harbour Phase’ featured bilateral meetings, an international maritime seminar, and expert-level discussions. During the subsequent ‘Sea Phase,’ high-intensity operations were conducted, including integrated air defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, communication drills, and cross-deck flying operations. Live firing exercises used naval guns and anti-aircraft weapons. Indian vessels such as INS Vikrant, Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, Nilgiri-class frigates, and the diving support vessel INS Nistar took part in the joint missions.

The Palestinian group Hamas has alleged that Israeli military operations are continuing across the Gaza Strip despite the formation of a peace board. In a statement, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the ongoing attacks indicate disregard for mediation efforts and the board’s activities. He claimed that destruction and killings against Palestinians have not stopped, adding that although the nature of attacks has changed, their objective remains the same. According to Hamas, assurances from guarantor countries to implement a ceasefire have not produced effective results. The group reported that since the ceasefire took effect, at least 650 Palestinians have been killed, including 198 children and 85 women, while 1,662 others were injured. Hamas further stated that since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed and around 172,000 injured, with over 8,000 still missing. The organization also claimed that about 90 percent of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. Preliminary United Nations estimates suggest reconstruction of the enclave could require around 70 billion US dollars.

Russia has returned the bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, according to a Moscow official cited on Thursday. In exchange, Ukraine handed over the remains of 35 Russian soldiers. The exchange reportedly took place near Kyiv, as confirmed by Russian mediator Vladimir Medinsky in a social media post. The report, carried by AFP from Moscow, marks another instance of body repatriation between the two sides amid the ongoing conflict. Such exchanges are typically coordinated through intermediaries to ensure the return of fallen soldiers to their respective countries. No further details were provided about the process or the conditions under which the exchange occurred.

Police in Faridganj upazila of Chandpur recovered the throat-slit body of Nurjahan Begum, wife of a Kuwait expatriate named Abul Kalam, on Thursday in Bhaterhrit village under Rupsa Uttar Union. The body was found in the toilet of her home and later taken to the Faridganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead. According to family members, Nurjahan’s daughter returned from college to find the house locked. After some time, she discovered the door open and found her mother’s body in the toilet. Local union council member Khorshed Alam said Nurjahan had taken loans from several NGOs, and representatives often visited to collect payments. He heard that some NGO workers had come to the house that morning, though their identities were not confirmed. Faridganj Police Inspector (Investigation) Emdadul Haque stated that the body bore deep neck wounds and that legal procedures and autopsy were ongoing. Police have launched an investigation to uncover the motive behind the killing.