Two houses belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba suspects Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh were destroyed in a blast in Kashmir on Thursday night. Indian officials claim the two were involved in the Pehelgam attack, and that the explosion was caused by explosives stored inside their homes. No immediate casualties have been reported. Thokar is considered one of the prime suspects, while Sheikh is also believed to be involved in planning the attack.

During an all-party meeting on Thursday, the BJP-led Indian government admitted to security lapses that led to the deadly Pehelgam attack. Opposition leaders questioned the absence of central security forces and the delayed response time. The government explained that local authorities had reopened the tourist zone of Baisaran without informing national security agencies. While infrastructure challenges were cited as reasons for delayed deployment, opposition parties voiced support for further scrutiny of security protocols.

BNP Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku declared that compromising with the Awami League is impossible, even if compromise with the devil were considered. He accused the Awami League of plundering the country over the last 16 years under Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Tuku warned that Awami League loyalists in government jobs should not be given further opportunities and called for resistance against them.

Jamaat leader Nurul Islam Bulbul said that without justice and reforms, upcoming elections will be nothing more than a change in leadership. He urged that local government elections be held before the national polls, in line with the Chief Adviser’s commitments. Bulbul emphasized Jamaat’s vision for a welfare state with no discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, or social class.

On World Intellectual Property Day 2025, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation. He praised this year’s theme, “IP & Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” as especially relevant for Bangladesh. Highlighting music as a universal language that reflects cultural richness and diversity, he noted that from folk to modern songs, Bangladeshi artists continue to captivate the world. He added that combining arts with technology would accelerate both cultural and economic development.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called on the Election Commission to conduct local elections before the national parliamentary polls to prove its credibility. He warned that if the same corrupt practices from past elections persist, the bloodshed will have been in vain. Dr. Rahman also reiterated Jamaat’s commitment to building a just, corruption-free nation, based on equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion or political affiliation, grounded in the principles of the Qur’an.

Poet and political thinker Farhad Mazhar stated that the post-uprising government has not met the people’s expectations. He said the nation lacked a fully empowered government to fulfill the revolution’s goals, resulting in unfulfilled promises. Expressing solidarity with Professor Yunus, Mazhar emphasized the urgent need to address safe drinking water as a top priority for the new administration and urged immediate action to protect water resources.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has arrived in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. According to sources, he will pay respects at St. Peter’s Square shortly after arriving in Italy. He is scheduled to attend the funeral on Saturday. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed that the Chief Adviser has no other meetings planned during his visit and is expected to return to Bangladesh on Sunday.

The National Revolutionary Council organized a protest after Friday prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque, condemning ongoing Hindutva violence against Muslims across India. Mohammad Shamsuddin, addressing the crowd, criticized India for aligning with Israel in the genocide of Palestinian Muslims while simultaneously stripping Indian Muslims of religious properties through conspiracies like the Waqf Bill. He accused the Modi government of failing to calm rising Muslim anger and blamed Muslims for the recent killing of 27 tourists in Kashmir—a tactic he said was used to deflect from state failures. Protesters called for the independence of Kashmir, Palestine, and Arakan as protection for oppressed Muslims.

Renowned activist and actor Ilias Kanchan has announced the formation of a new political party, ‘Janata Party Bangladesh,’ pledging to work for the country with honesty and dedication. As chairman, he stated, “Just as I have previously served the people of this country with sincerity, I will continue to do so through this party.” Highlighting the lack of support from previous governments during the Safe Roads Movement, Kanchan emphasized the need for genuine political will and cooperation from the current administration. Party Secretary General Shawkat Mahmud said the Janata Party aims to be a centrist force rooted in liberal democracy. He stressed that the party will take a firm stance against authoritarianism. Calling for a new national unity, he described the “July Revolution Charter” as essential for the future of the nation.

Inquilab Manch has commenced a ‘Martyrs’ Rally’ at Shahbagh, demanding justice for the July, Pilkhana, and Shapla Square massacres, and calling for a constitutional ban on the Awami League. The platform has presented four major demands: 1. Visible progress in prosecuting the July massacre within 100 days. 2. A constitutional ban on the Awami League via executive orders, court rulings, or political consensus. 3. Official recognition of the Shapla Square incident and formation of a UN-assisted investigative commission to identify the martyrs and initiate justice. 4. Publication and implementation of the full report of the Pilkhana massacre inquiry commission. They also demand all political parties to include clear pledges for prosecuting the Awami League’s alleged mass killings in their election manifestos.

Mass protests have broken out across Pakistan, including in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in response to India’s threats following a recent gun attack in Pahalgam. Demonstrators condemned what they described as “unacceptable” threats from India, including calls to revoke the Indus Waters Treaty. A businessman named Azmal Baloch stated, “If India wants war, let it come forward openly.” Protesters emphasized their anger over the threats, with Muhammad Wais declaring, “Water is our right, and by the will of Allah, we will reclaim it. Even if it means going to war, we will not back down.” Senior PPP leader Javed Mir warned, “If India makes the mistake of launching an attack, the people of Pakistani Kashmir will be on the frontlines. We are ready to die for Pakistan.”

While the Awami League remains banned from public activities across Bangladesh, its programs continue openly in Barguna. There, the party organizes leaflet distributions and Eid gifts, even staging protests demanding the return of Sheikh Hasina from India. In Gopalganj, however, public rallies by the party have faced backlash.

Border Guard Bangladesh seized 99 crude bombs and 40 petrol bombs during a raid at Chakpara in the Shibganj border area. Two suspects fled upon seeing BGB forces. Officials believe the explosives were intended to destabilize the country’s security situation. The seized items will be handed over to local police.

Spain has cancelled a $7.5 million arms deal with Israeli firm IMI Systems due to pressure from left-wing coalition partners. The move comes after prior criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza, and follows a February deal to purchase 15 million rounds of ammunition, which the government has now scrapped.