A BBC investigation has uncovered a secret “Ayna Ghar” near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem was reportedly held and tortured for eight years. He was blindfolded most of the time and could hear planes landing, helping investigators locate the facility. After demolishing a recently constructed wall behind a large building, they discovered a narrow, pitch-dark corridor leading to multiple small, windowless rooms. One of these cramped, poorly ventilated cells was used to detain Quasem. The smell and suffocation suggest inhumane conditions.

Six individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the arson attack on the village home of artist Manabendra Ghosh, known for his work in festival processions. The suspects include Al Amin alias Tamal (22), finance secretary of the banned local BCL unit, joint secretary Mainuddin Ahmed Pias (22), Mir Maruf, Aminur Rahman (24), local AL ward secretary Babul Hossain (54), and Chhatra League leader Khan Mohammad Rafi alias Season (18). Notably, Season posted “Mission Complete” on Facebook on the night of the arson. A press conference will be held today at the Chief Adviser’s office regarding the incident.

Model Meghna Alam has been shown arrested in a fraud case filed with Dhanmondi Police Station, alleging that she lured foreign diplomats into romantic traps using attractive women. She was presented in court on Thursday, where the investigating officer sought permission to officially show her arrested. Magistrate Masum Mia granted the request following a hearing. Meghna was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) from her Bashundhara residence on the night of April 9.

Israel has proposed a 45-day ceasefire in Gaza, but Hamas has rejected the condition of complete disarmament. As per reports, during the first week of the proposed ceasefire, Hamas would release 10 live hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 120 Palestinians serving life sentences and over 1,000 detained since October 7, 2023. Prior to the March 18 ceasefire breakdown, the IDF would withdraw to previous positions. Palestinians would be allowed to cross the Netzarim corridor, humanitarian aid would resume, and infrastructure reconstruction would begin. Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. would mediate negotiations aiming at a permanent end to hostilities. In the next phase, Hamas would provide evidence of living hostages and return the bodies of the deceased.

For the first time in 15 years, Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to hold foreign secretary-level talks today. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday. Discussions will focus on trade, investment, connectivity—especially air links—defense, education, agriculture, fisheries, culture, and sports. Regional and multilateral cooperation through platforms like SAARC, OIC, and D-8 will also be addressed. The last such meeting was held in Islamabad in 2010. Amna Baloch will also pay courtesy visits to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Students from both public and private polytechnic institutes had announced a rail blockade today to press home their six-point demands. However, the protest has been temporarily suspended until 11 AM, said Jubayer Patwary, a representative of the Technical Student Movement. The suspension comes as a meeting is scheduled with the Ministry of Education. If the meeting yields positive results, the blockade will be called off. Otherwise, students will announce fresh demonstrations.

In a violation of international border law, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to construct a barbed-wire fence along the Bangladesh-India border. However, the initiative was halted after intervention from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents. The BGB has since increased its surveillance in the area.

The incident occurred near the Bhabanipur border in Durga Union of Durgapur upazila, Netrakona district. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rezwanul Kabir stated that the issue may persist unless proper roads are constructed on the Bangladesh side. Ongoing bridge and road construction in the area has been complicated by disputes over sand extraction from the nearby river. With the monsoon approaching, local authorities plan to consult contractors and explore alternative routes to ensure safe passage for residents.

Israeli forces opened fire from helicopters in the city of Rafah on Wednesday. At least 23 Palestinians were killed in separate attacks across various enclaves since early morning. Heavy bombardments in the Jabalia refugee camp resulted in rising smoke plumes, while additional shelling was reported near Khan Yunis, close to the town of Al-Kabira.

Artillery fire also hit the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps in central Gaza. In the northern Jabalia camp, three people were killed. In the Al-Nafaq Street area of Tuffah neighborhood, at least 10 members of the Hasuna family were reportedly killed. Another airstrike in the Al-Shaf neighborhood resulted in three more civilian deaths.

Students from Ta’mirul Millat Kamil Madrasa organized a protest in Tongi condemning the ongoing genocide by Israeli occupying forces in Palestine. The rally began at the madrasa’s main gate and marched through key areas of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, including Ershadnagar, Hossain Market, and College Gate, before concluding with a brief gathering near Asia Petrol Pump.

The protest was led by Student Parliament Vice President Iqbal Kabir and General Secretary Saidur Rahman. Vice Principal Maulana Mizanur Rahman addressed the rally as the chief guest, urging the international Muslim community to unite and take decisive action for the establishment of a free and independent Palestine.

Under the directive of the Principal Advisor, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have successfully completed a coordinated humanitarian assistance mission for earthquake victims in Myanmar. Overseen by the Armed Forces Division, the operation involved the distribution of relief, rescue activities, and medical support.

To honor the participating rescue and medical teams, a special reception was held on Wednesday at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment. Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, presented commemorative tokens to each team member. The event was attended by senior officials from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, various ministries, and Myanmar’s military, naval, and air attachés based in Dhaka.

Leaders of several like-minded Islamist political parties—including Khilafat Majlis, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Bakhilafat Majlis, and Nezam-e-Islam—have held a joint meeting, calling for national elections to be held by December. The parties reached consensus on nine key points, including reinstating “absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah” in the Constitution, rejecting pluralism, and demanding the withdrawal of recent hikes in soybean oil and industrial gas prices. They also urged international action to stop Israel’s massacre in Gaza, the repeal of India’s amended Waqf Bill, and swift justice for unresolved incidents including the BDR mutiny, the Shapla Chattar massacre, and political disappearances over the past 15 years. The alliance called for the immediate withdrawal of all cases against Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and demanded measures to prevent the return or rehabilitation of authoritarianism. They also called for the prosecution of the Awami League as a fascist organization.

Amid ongoing nationwide protests by polytechnic students, Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan has been removed from his post as principal of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute and reassigned as an OSD (Officer on Special Duty). Sahela Parveen has been appointed as the new principal. Students from both public and private polytechnic institutes have been staging demonstrations demanding fulfillment of six key demands. As part of their movement, they announced a railway blockade for Thursday and staged protest marches across the country on Wednesday.

The European Union has proposed adding Bangladesh, along with six other countries—Kosovo, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—to its list of “safe countries.” Once listed, asylum applications from these nations will be more easily rejected, as the EU will assume the applicants do not face serious threats at home. This move also aims to streamline the deportation process for migrants from these countries. Human rights organizations have strongly criticized the proposal, warning it may endanger vulnerable individuals. The EU clarified that countries applying for EU membership will also be considered “safe” by default. While EU states may add more countries to the list, they will not be allowed to exclude these seven.

A Bangladeshi man named Hasibul Islam was seriously injured after being shot by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) inside Bangladeshi territory near the Singimari border of Lalmonirhat. He is currently undergoing treatment. Hasibul was reportedly cutting grass on his own land when a BSF patrol illegally crossed the barbed wire fence and opened fire at close range without provocation. According to BGB sources, a flag meeting was held at 5 PM on Wednesday where the BSF was formally protested and urged to return the injured man. The incident has raised renewed concerns over border security and BSF’s recurring violations.

Dr. Jalal Uddin, the provost of Khaleda Zia Hall at Islamic University, has come under fire for halting lunch for residential students who did not participate in the Boishakhi rally on Wednesday. A special traditional meal of panta bhaat was arranged at noon to celebrate the Bengali New Year. However, only seven students from the hall joined the morning rally. Angered by the low turnout, the provost canceled the meal and also withheld regular lunch service in the dorm’s dining hall. This left many students in distress and sparked protests. Frustrated residents gathered in front of the provost’s office, chanting slogans and demanding accountability.