Reports have emerged of an attack on the convoy of the anti-discrimination student movement's 'March for Unity' in Mollahat, Bagherhat. The incident occurred around 11:30 am on Tuesday (December 31) in Mollahat. It has been reported that 25 buses carrying students departed from Khulna Metropolitan City for Dhaka earlier in the morning. When the convoy reached the Madrasa Ghat area of Mollahat in Bagherhat, local assailants threw stones at the vehicles and stopped them, assaulting several people.  As the students retaliated, the area quickly turned into a battlefield. The clash lasted for an hour, with reports of at least 20 people injured. Police and military forces are working to bring the situation under control. The students stated that the attackers, who were already prepared, launched the assault as the convoy passed through Mollahat around 11:30 am. They also alleged that local residents supported the attackers. Despite the incident taking place near the police station, the students claimed the police remained inactive. Regarding the incident, Jahurul Tanvir, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Movement in Khulna, said, "Our convoy was peacefully heading to Dhaka from Khulna. Along the way, we were attacked, leaving many injured. This attack was orchestrated by collaborators of the fascist government." He further added, "The attack was premeditated. However, no obstacle can deter us from our goal. Our brothers have shed their blood. Justice must be served promptly, and those responsible must be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment. Otherwise, the students themselves will identify and take action against the perpetrators."

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, has called for a peaceful resolution regarding the attack on the Bangladeshi Assistant High Commission in Agartala, the capital of Tripura, India. On Tuesday (December 10), local time, during a regular press briefing at the U.S. State Department, he made this appeal in response to a question. Recently, both India and Bangladesh expressed concern over the violent attack on a Bangladeshi diplomatic mission within India. A journalist asked if Washington had any comment on this issue or the growing aggressive statements involving Bangladesh. In response, Miller stated, “We want to see all parties resolve their differences peacefully.” Notably, on August 5, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned following a student-led uprising and fled to India. Since then, relations between the two countries have significantly deteriorated. The situation became more complicated after the recent arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Das. On December 2, an attack took place at the Bangladeshi Assistant High Commission in Agartala, further escalating tensions.

Former minister and former MP from Nilphamari-2 (Sadar) constituency Asaduzzaman Noor was attacked at the capital's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). The attack took place on the hospital premises around noon on Saturday (November 30). Eyewitnesses said that Asaduzzaman Noor was brought to the hospital for treatment at noon. At that time, some students injured in the July-August movement attacked him. Later, the students were taken to the room of the hospital director, Brigadier General Rezaur Rahman. There, the director took their mobile phones. However, although the director was called for comment on the matter, his statement could not be obtained. Earlier, Asaduzzaman Noor was arrested from the capital on the night of September 15. He was later sent to jail. Noor has represented the Awami League in parliament since 2001. In the last 12th National Parliament election, he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Nilphamari-2 constituency. In addition, after the Awami League's landslide victory in the 10th National Parliament election held on January 5, 2013, he took over as the Minister of Cultural Affairs on January 13, 2014 and served until January 7, 2019. In addition to politics, Asaduzzaman Noor has acted in more than 110 television films and serials. His notable works on television include Eishob Dinratri (1985), Ayomoy (1988), Kothao Keu Nei (1990), Aaj Robibar (1999) and Somudro Bilas Private Limited (1999). Among them, he made a special place in the hearts of the audience by playing the character of 'Baker Bhai' in the serial 'Kothao Keu Nei'. The number of his plays broadcast on radio is more than 50. Along with plays, he has also acted in films. The notable films he acted in are Shongkhonil Karagar (1992) and Aguner Poroshmoni (1994). Asaduzzaman Noor received the Independence Award in 2018 for his contribution to culture. He has served as the president of the Bangladesh Recitation Coordination Council for a long time.

At least 41 people, including women and children, were killed in an armed attack on a passenger convoy in the remote mountainous region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan. According to local police officials, 16 others were seriously injured in the assault. The BBC reported that the attack occurred on Thursday, November 21, local time, when a convoy carrying approximately 200 passengers was traveling through the Kurram district near the Afghan border. Armed assailants first targeted the police escort, opening fire, and then began indiscriminately shooting at the entire convoy. Syeda Banu, a passenger interviewed by BBC Urdu, recounted that she survived by hiding under the seats with her children during the attack. After the gunfire subsided, she saw injured and deceased individuals scattered across the road. Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, described the attack as a "major tragedy," warning that the death toll could rise further. Deputy Police Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud stated that around 10 gunmen were involved, firing indiscriminately from both sides of the road. After the attack, police and locals assisted women and others in seeking shelter in nearby houses. A search operation is currently underway to apprehend the assailants. Preliminary investigations revealed that most of the victims were from the Shia community. The Kurram region has seen significant sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni communities in recent times. Just last month, a similar attack on a passenger convoy in the area claimed 15 lives. The road where the attack took place had only recently reopened for travel, with journeys permitted solely under police security. Kurram district shares a border with several Afghan provinces, and the area is known for the active presence of militant groups such as ISIS and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In addition to terrorism, land disputes in the region are also seen as a key driver of violence, according to experts. The motive and identities of the attackers remain unclear, but Thursday’s attack has raised fresh concerns about the security situation in Kurram.

The shooting incident took place at the head office of Islami Bank located in the capital. In consequences, 4 officials of the bank were shot. This incident happened on Sunday (August 11) around 10:30 am. Those who were shot are Islami Bank Godown Guard Shafiullah Sardar, Officer Mamun, Abdur Rahman and Baki Billah. It is known that hundreds of foreigners tried to forcefully enter Islami bank. When they were prevented from entering, they fired upon to the officials. Several officials of Islami Bank said that hundreds of outsiders took position in front of Islami Bank Tower in the morning. They protested against the unsecured, irregular loan scam. Suddenly, around a hundred people, including some officials working for the S Alam group, tried to enter with weapons. When they were prevented, the gunmen opened fire. Four officers were injured in their firing. Three of them are in critical condition. Later, when the present officers gave chase, they fled. Earlier last Thursday, Qaisar Ali, Additional Managing Director of Islami Bank resigned.

Rabiul Islam, the prime accused in a case filed over the attack on Dinajpur’s Ghoraghat upazila nirbahi officer Wahida Khanom and her father, has made a confessional statement in a local court. Imam Zafar, officer-in-charge of Detective Branch of Police and investigation officer of the case, said they produced Rabiul to Dinajpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Cognizance Court in the morning as he ‘agreed’ to make his confessional statement. Senior judicial magistrate Ismail Hossain recorded his statement. Later, he was sent back to jail. Rabiul was produced before the court after the expiry of his second-phase remand today. Police arrested Rabiul on September 9 and he reportedly confessed his crime during his primary interrogation. UNO Wahida and her father, Omar Ali,were seriously injured in an attack by miscreants at her home on the Upazila Parishad premises on September 3. Source: UNB AH

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and police in a joint drive arrested the prime suspect of the attack on Ghoraghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Wahida Khanam from Kaliganj in Hili area of Dinajpur district early Friday. The arrestee was identified as Asadul Haque, 35, son of Amzad Hossain of Osmanpur in the upazila. Tipped off, a team of police from Hakimpur, Birampur and Ghoraghat police stations, and Rab members conducted a joint drive in the area around 4:50 am and arrested Asadul, said Wahid Ferdous, officer-in-charge of Hakimpur Police Station. Later, he was taken to Rab office in Rangpur district. Wahida Khanam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Ghoraghat, was seriously injured in an attack by miscreants at her home on the Upazila Parishad premises early Thursday. Her father was also injured in the gruesome attack. They were taken to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital. Later, the UNO was airlifted from Rangpur to Dhaka by a Bangladesh Air Force MI-171SH helicopter. She was admitted to the National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Dhaka. Source: UNB AH

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has commented that the incident of attack on police at Science Laboratory area in the capital might be a test case before carrying out any big attack. His comment came in at a press conference at the secretariat on Sunday. Obaidul Quader said, it may be a test case for them to carry out any type of big attack in future. We are alert in this regard. Militants are not wiped out at the moment. Perhaps, they may be weakened. 19 lakh people were excluded from the Assam citizen list- in this regard Obaidul Quader said, this is their own matter. We are monitoring the situation. AH 

A Pabna court has scrapped the bail plea of 28 accused in connection with a case of firing in a train carrying the then opposition leader and current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ishwardi in Pabna in 1994. In a crowded court on Sunday the Additional District and Session Judge of Pabna Rustam Ali rejected their bail plea and ordered to send them in jail. According to the court sources, the then Awami League president and opposition leader Sheikh Hasina was heading towards Rajshahi from Khulna boarded on a train in an organizational tour on September 23, 1994. On her way there was a scheduled roadside meeting at Ishwardi station. When the train reached at Pakshi station bombs were hurled and gunfires were shot targeting the train. In this connection on that day Officer in Charge of Ishwardi GRP police station Nazrul Islam filed a case. After three years on April 3, 1997 police submitted the charge sheet mentioning 52 names. Of the 52 accused 28 people on Sunday sought bail after appearing before the court. The judge rejected their bail plea and ordered to send them in jail. He also issued warrant against rest of the accused. The accused are leaders and activists under Ishwardi upazila and municipal level different organizations of BNP. AH  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that the attack on Acting Editor of The Daily Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman was originated with an aim to kill him. He made this allegation in a demonstration organized by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) in front of national press club on Monday. He said, I was in a meeting when the incident took place. I was informed about the incident at that time. The responsible police person in Kushtia is a notorious terrorist than Awami League. Mirza Fakhrul said, I made a phone call to the Home Minister. He assured me saying, I am looking into the matter for his safely coming out. After that it is our bad luck, the way Mahmudur Rahman was under attack with an aim to kill him in presence of police and was injured, it is an unprecedented event. He said, for the last several years Awami League has been attacking on the free thoughts. They are attacking media persons, trying to destruct media. Mirza Fakhrul also demanded arrest of the attackers and for their trial. At that time BNP Vice Chairmen Shawkat Mahmud, AZM Zahid Hossain, education affairs secretary Obaidul Islam, BFUJ (fraction) president Ruhul Amin Gazi, DUJ (fraction) president Quader Gani Chowdhury among others were present. The leaders and activists of Chhatra League attacked Acting Editor of The Daily Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman at Kushtia court premises on Sunday when he was coming out after getting bail in a defamation case. Mahmudur Rahman was injured when the attackers hurled brick chips and charged him with sticks. Later, after 5 pm he was taken to Jashore boarded on an ambulance and from there he was shifted to Dhaka via aero plane. At present he is under treatment in United Hospital in Dhaka.   AH