Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Zahid Hossain Milon, widely known as ‘Tak Milon,’ a former councilor and influential Awami Youth League figure from Jessore. The arrest took place on Friday night in Dhaka’s Rampura area, and Milon was brought to Jessore the following day. Law enforcement officials describe him as one of the district’s top criminal suspects, with at least 14 cases filed against him under murder, explosives, and other criminal laws. DB Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Ali confirmed the arrest, noting that Milon had long faced allegations of abuse of power during the Awami League government. Police records link him to the 2018 murder of a local Youth League activist and a 2019 bomb attack on MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed’s residence. He was also accused of running illegal gambling operations in Jessore. Authorities say Milon had previously been detained in 2020 and 2024 but continued his activities after release. His latest arrest is expected to revive several pending investigations and may expose broader political-criminal networks in the region.

Former BNP lawmaker and freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan publicly announced his allegiance to Jamaat-e-Islami during a gathering in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi upazila on Saturday evening. Speaking at a ‘clarification meeting’ at Gachihata College field, Ranjan said Jamaat had given him shelter at a difficult time in his life and that he would remain forever grateful. He stated that he would no longer contest elections but hoped Jamaat would assign him a meaningful role if it came to power. Ranjan, who previously represented Kishoreganj-2 constituency as a BNP MP, criticized his former party for neglecting him over the past three years. He claimed BNP members had distanced themselves, even excluding him from social events. Addressing the audience, he outlined three appeals to Jamaat: building a corruption-free Bangladesh, ensuring peace through truth, and establishing social justice and human dignity. He also demanded justice for the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Local Jamaat leaders, including candidate Maulana Shafiqul Islam Morol, attended the event, which drew thousands of supporters and ended with special prayers for Hadi’s soul.

Bangladesh’s Education Adviser, Professor Dr. C. R. Abrar, has strongly condemned recent attacks on cultural and media institutions that occurred while the nation mourns the death of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued Saturday, Abrar said extremist groups exploited the grief to incite chaos and anarchy across several locations in the country. He detailed that the long-standing cultural organization Chhayanaut’s building was attacked and set on fire, destroying musical and educational materials, and that its affiliated school, Nalanda, was also damaged. Abrar further denounced assaults on the offices of cultural group Udichi, as well as on the newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the reported mistreatment of veteran journalist Nurul Kabir. Calling these actions an attempt to tarnish the spirit of the July Movement, Abrar warned that such violence could advance the agenda of anti-Bangladesh fascist forces. Authorities have yet to confirm who is behind the attacks, but concerns are rising over escalating political and ideological tensions.

A former leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Barishal has filed a rape case against a young man named Suan Al Talukdar, alleging multiple assaults under the pretext of marriage. The complaint was lodged on December 18 at the Kotwali Model Police Station, though it became public on December 20. Police confirmed the filing but said the accused has not yet been arrested. According to the case statement, the complainant and Suan developed a relationship following their activism. The accused allegedly raped her several times, including at a residential hotel in Barishal, where he recorded a video and later used it to threaten her. When pressured to marry, Suan reportedly refused and physically assaulted her. Police said efforts are ongoing to locate the accused, whose phone remains switched off. Suan, previously linked to the now-banned Chhatra League, had been active in local political movements and was arrested earlier this year before being released on bail. The case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about gender-based violence and accountability in student politics.

BNP Assistant International Affairs Secretary Barrister Rumin Farhana has voiced deep concern over possible violence and irregularities surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming national election. Speaking at a prayer and discussion event in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila on Saturday, she criticized what she described as conspiracies both inside and outside the country to derail the electoral process. Referring to the funeral of slain BNP leader Osman Hadi, she said she did not know whose name might come next, implying fears of continued political persecution. Farhana also stated she would not purchase her nomination, asserting that it should come from the will of her local voters. She accused the ruling Awami League of past electoral interference, recalling her father’s independent candidacy in 1973. Criticizing the Home Affairs Adviser’s comment about arming candidates, she said such remarks legitimized mob violence and posed a grave threat to national security. Her remarks reflect the BNP’s growing apprehension over election-time security, with concerns about uncollected illegal weapons and the potential for unrest during campaigning and vote counting.

The crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Rajab was sighted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, signaling the start of the seventh month in the Hijri calendar. With this sighting, the formal countdown to the holy month of Ramadan has begun for Muslims worldwide, according to Gulf News. Rajab is one of the four sacred months in Islam, traditionally observed as a time for spiritual reflection and preparation before Ramadan. Religious authorities noted that if both Rajab and Sha'ban months complete 29 or 30 days each, Ramadan is expected to begin in about 60 to 61 days. The exact start date will be confirmed by official moon-sighting committees in each country. In Bangladesh, the National Moon Sighting Committee, led by Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, is scheduled to meet on Sunday to confirm local sightings. Based on current calculations, Ramadan in South Asia is likely to begin on February 19, unless the moon sighting is delayed by a day. The sighting of Rajab’s moon marks the beginning of spiritual preparations across the Muslim world, as communities gear up for the fasting month ahead.

A funeral in absentia for Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inquilab Mancha, was held in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday afternoon. The event took place at the Central Shaheed Minar, organized by the Anti-Fascist All-Party Unity Platform. Local political and civic leaders gathered to pay their respects and offer prayers for the deceased activist. Speakers at the brief pre-funeral discussion included former Cox’s Bazar mayor Sarwar Kamal, Cox’s Bazar Press Club president Mahbubur Rahman, and representatives from the National Citizens Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Chhatra Shibir. They recalled Hadi’s contributions to political activism and unity movements in Bangladesh, emphasizing his role in mobilizing youth and promoting democratic ideals. The gathering reflected ongoing political solidarity across party lines in remembrance of Hadi. Similar events have been reported in other districts, suggesting a broader network of tributes to the late activist.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has expressed gratitude to all agencies and citizens for ensuring the peaceful and orderly completion of the funeral and burial of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The event, held on Saturday, drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory, reflecting widespread public respect and emotion toward the late leader. According to a DMP press release issued by Media and Public Relations Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, the police deployed a large number of personnel and used around one thousand body-worn cameras to maintain discipline and security. The DMP extended special thanks to the Special Security Force, Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar, and Dhaka University authorities for their cooperation. The police also acknowledged the assistance of political parties, media representatives, and the general public. Officials noted that the smooth management of this large-scale religious event demonstrated effective coordination among law enforcement and civic bodies, setting an example for future public gatherings in the capital.

The Asian University of Bangladesh has expressed deep sorrow over the untimely and tragic death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, calling for a fair and speedy investigation into his killing. The university described Hadi’s death as not only the loss of a young, courageous voice but also a painful blow to a generation committed to justice, rights, and democratic values. Hadi, known for his activism inspired by the spirit of the July Revolution, was recognized as a fearless advocate for truth and justice and a symbol of resistance against oppression. The university extended condolences to his family, colleagues, and fellow activists, emphasizing that his ideals would continue to inspire unity among those striving for a just Bangladesh. The statement urged authorities to ensure the safety of all citizens engaged in democratic movements and reaffirmed that freedom of expression and peaceful protest are non-negotiable. The university pledged to uphold principles of justice, humanity, and democracy in honoring Hadi’s legacy.

Italian police have arrested 384 people and seized 1.4 tons of narcotics in a sweeping anti-drug operation across multiple provinces. The coordinated raids, conducted on Friday at 312 locations, also led to the temporary closure of five cannabis shops in three cities. Authorities reported confiscating 35 kilograms of cocaine, 296 kilograms of cannabis products, and over 40 firearms. In addition to the arrests, 655 individuals—including 39 minors—were placed under investigation. Police described the operation as part of a broader crackdown on organized drug networks following Italy’s June 2025 decree that banned all forms of cannabis trade, including hemp-based products previously considered legal. Officials stated that similar operations will continue as part of a long-term strategy to dismantle trafficking networks and curb the illegal drug market. The government has pledged stricter enforcement and closer coordination among regional law enforcement agencies.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Generation, an affiliate of the BNP, has announced a new 151-member central convening committee. The committee lists BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman as its first member and the late Arafat Rahman Koko as the second. The announcement, signed by Ishtiak Aziz Ulfat, president of the BNP-affiliated Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Council, was made with Tarique Rahman’s approval. All previously declared district and metropolitan committees have been dissolved. The statement instructs all members to coordinate with local freedom fighter leaders to actively participate in upcoming national election activities. Convenor Engineer Ishraque Hossain emphasized that the group aims to counter attempts to distort the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War and to promote the authentic narrative among younger generations. Member secretary Advocate K.M. Kamruzzaman Nannu said the new committee will strengthen organizational unity and expand BNP’s ideological outreach. Political analysts view the restructuring as part of BNP’s broader strategy to mobilize pro-liberation sentiment and consolidate grassroots networks ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

Police in Pirgachha, Rangpur, have arrested five members of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations under the ongoing ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’. The arrests, conducted on Friday night, also included three other individuals with outstanding warrants, bringing the total number of detainees to eight. The suspects were presented before the local court on Saturday afternoon following their detention. According to Officer-in-Charge A.K.M. Khondoker Mohibbul Islam, the operation aims to maintain law and order in the region. He stated that the campaign will continue and that anyone involved in criminal or violent activities will be brought under legal action. The arrested individuals were identified as Abdul Kuddus Bhuiyan (72), Kamruzzaman Palash (38), Mamunur Rashid (35), Khorshed Alam alias Masud Rana (38), and Ashiqur Rahman (39). Authorities have intensified monitoring in Rangpur amid heightened political tensions. The continuation of the operation signals a broader law enforcement effort to curb unrest and ensure stability in the area.

Bangladeshi shuttlers Al Amin Zumar and Urmi Akter made history by reaching the mixed doubles final of the Unex-Sunrise International Challenge but fell short of the gold medal. The pair lost to a Malaysian duo in straight sets, 27–21 and 21–14, after a competitive opening game. Despite the defeat, their silver medal marks Bangladesh’s best-ever finish in an international badminton event. Due to the national day of mourning for Sharif Osman Hadi’s death, no formal ceremony was held, and players wore black badges. Bangladesh Badminton Federation President Habib Ullah Don awarded the pair a total of USD 1,000 and pledged enhanced training facilities, including foreign coaching support. Zumar expressed mixed feelings, calling the final appearance a proud yet bittersweet moment, while Urmi credited their three-month pre-tournament training for the achievement. The tournament also saw victories for players from India, the United States, Vietnam, and Thailand across other categories. The Bangladeshi duo’s success is expected to boost national interest and investment in badminton ahead of the upcoming South Asian Games.

A large protest march and absentee funeral prayer were held in Kushtia on Saturday to condemn the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Manch. The demonstration began at Saddam Bazar intersection with a symbolic coffin and moved through key city roads before concluding with a gathering and funeral prayer at the Panch Rastar Mor. Local leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Gano Adhikar Parishad, and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement addressed the rally, denouncing the murder and calling for justice. The prayer was led by Hafiz Mufti Maulana Amir Hamza, Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Kushtia-3 constituency. Thousands of residents, activists, and supporters joined under the banner of the “Anti-Fascist and Anti-Dominance People’s Platform.” The protest reflects growing local outrage over political violence and calls for accountability. Organizers indicated that further programs may follow if authorities fail to ensure a transparent investigation into Hadi’s killing.

A Dhaka court has granted a fresh four-day remand for three accused — the wife, sister-in-law, and friend of fugitive prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud — in connection with the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. Metropolitan Magistrate Md Siddiq Azad issued the order on Saturday, while another accused, rent-a-car businessman Nuruzzaman Nomani alias Uzzal, was sent to jail after his earlier remand. The investigation officer from the Detective Branch sought seven days’ remand for further interrogation, citing the need to uncover the motive, identify financiers, and trace other suspects involved in the killing. Previously, the same three accused had been placed on a five-day remand on December 15. Faisal’s parents, who are also accused, have already confessed before the court. Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on December 12 while campaigning and later died in Singapore. The case, filed on December 14, alleges a wider conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country and obstructing the upcoming 13th National Election.