Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan condemned India’s strikes, calling them “cowardly attacks” on five locations within Pakistan-administered territory. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he asserted that Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully and is doing so. “The people of Pakistan are standing firmly with our armed forces in facing this aggression,” he wrote. The Prime Minister has also called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee at 10:00 AM local time to assess the situation.

Former Member of Parliament Sheikh Helal Uddin and his son, also former MP Sheikh Tonmoy, have been named in a Tk 200 crore extortion case filed by Abdul Mannan Talukder, Managing Director of New Bashundhara Real Estate. The complaint, lodged at Bagerhat Model Police Station, also names Sheikh Helal’s aide Md. Firozul Islam, Tonmoy’s aide M.H. Shaheen, and Sheikh Shahidul Islam. Police have arrested Shahidul and produced him in court.

In a swift retaliation to India’s missile strikes, the Pakistan Air Force has shot down two Indian fighter jets. According to state-run PTV, all Pakistani aircraft involved in the operation returned safely. “Our armed forces are responding appropriately to enemy aggression,” the channel stated. Around 1:00 AM local time on Wednesday, India launched missile attacks on nine locations inside Pakistan. At least three missiles struck cities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and two other urban areas, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuring more than a dozen others.

Political analyst Dr. Ali Riaz has stated that efforts are underway to conclude the first round of political dialogue by May 15. The Election Commission aims to begin the second phase of discussions promptly. He noted that alongside the Commission’s proposals, the reform blueprint proposed by the National Citizen Party is also under consideration. "These frameworks may shape the second round of talks. The overarching goal is to draft a national charter through consistent formal and informal dialogue to guide a democratic and accountable Bangladesh."

Two individuals were caught impersonating candidates during the SSC Vocational exam at Shreepur Pilot Girls’ High School in Gazipur. Junaid Ahmed Sagar (22) and Mamun (21) were sitting for the exam on behalf of other students. The hall supervisor caught them during the test. Police have detained the suspects and are processing legal action.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has arrested a youth named Rafique with Indian documents and currency near the Tekergat border in Tahirpur, Sunamganj. Rafique, son of the late Rusmat Ali from Borochhara, was detained early Monday morning while re-entering Bangladesh. BGB recovered 34,000 Indian rupees, an Indian NID card, and a driving license from his possession. He is suspected of being involved in illegal hundi (informal money transfer) activities.

India has launched missile strikes in Pakistan amid escalating tensions following the recent Kashmir attack. The strikes, carried out early Wednesday, targeted Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad, according to Pakistan’s military spokesperson. India also initiated "Operation Sindoor," hitting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. While Pakistan condemned the attacks as cowardly, India clarified that no military installations were targeted. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

The government has appointed an administrator to the Barishal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which had been under the control of BNP leader Ebaidul Haque Chan. The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Barishal has been given charge, with instructions to organize elections within four months as per the Chamber’s constitution. Several members had complained to the Commerce Ministry, alleging that a ‘pocket committee’ was formed through a sham election, allowing Chan to seize control.

The Public Administration Ministry is introducing new transfer rules that allow for the transfer of non-cadre field officials to the Secretariat and vice versa. This move has sparked outrage among Secretariat staff, who fear it will permanently block their promotion opportunities. The Bangladesh Secretariat Employees’ Council has warned of potential protests. They allege that the ministry formed a committee to merge non-cadre staff into a unified recruitment structure, effectively eliminating the career progression path for Secretariat employees.

Police have filed two separate cases under the Special Powers Act against protesters demanding justice for the murder of Imam Rais Uddin in Chattogram. Twenty-two activists were sent to jail on Tuesday following court proceedings. Meanwhile, Islami Chhatra Sena held a black flag procession condemning the brutal attacks on protesters and demanding the arrest of the killers. The group alleged that helmeted assailants armed with local weapons attacked demonstrators in front of the police, and some of them were linked to Jamaat-Shibir—but no arrests have been made.

A CID team led by a magistrate returned without exhuming the body of Shaheed Shraban Gazi, following objections from the family. Executive Magistrate Sadia Akhter said the team was acting on court orders and had made all necessary preparations. "However, the family strongly opposed disturbing the grave after such a long time. Out of respect for their sentiments, we withdrew. We will inform the court accordingly." Shraban Gazi was martyred on August 5.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke over the phone with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. According to Hossain, Dar did not seek any assistance during the conversation. "He only called to brief me on the recent developments and Pakistan’s response to them," said Hossain. "I reiterated our desire for peace and urged that tensions be avoided. We support resolving all issues through dialogue. If Delhi inquires, I’ll convey the same message. But we won’t take a proactive stance unless required."

National Security Adviser Khondaker Khalilur Rahman stated that Bangladesh insists on the inclusion of Rohingyas at all levels of the new administration in Rakhine. He warned that failure to do so would amount to ethnic cleansing, which Bangladesh cannot accept. He added that meaningful dialogue with Myanmar depends on their response to these demands, stressing that ignoring them would jeopardize future cooperation.

Legal adviser Asif Nazrul clarified that the Women Reform Commission’s proposals reflect the views of the commission alone, not official government policy. He acknowledged that such reform bodies often generate dissent and that while most disagreements have been respectful, some reactions have been hostile and degrading to women and the nation. He emphasized that any major reform will only be implemented through political consensus.

A 100-year-old banyan tree in Madaripur was felled after being labeled an object of shirk (idolatry), sparking public outrage. The tree, located near the Kumar River, had long been a site for offerings by both Muslims and Hindus. Locals had planned a Baishakh fair and Baul music event under the tree, but protests led to its cancellation. On Monday morning, a group of local clerics and villagers cut the tree down. Authorities have inspected the incident and promised action.