DHAKA, April 3, 2026 (BSS) - A doa mahfil was held today at the Society Jame Mosque in Gulshan, seeking eternal peace for Dilara Hafiz, the wife of Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram. The mosque's Imam led the prayers, said a press release. The Speaker expressed gratitude to all attendees and fondly recalled his 54-year marital life with his late wife. He described her as a devout, education-loving person who regularly observed prayers and fasting. He prayed for Allah's blessings on the departed soul of his wife and her deceased parents. He also called on citizens to work for the development and welfare of the country and the nation. Professor Dilara Hafiz, a former Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and former Principal of Eden Mohila College, passed away at the age of 78 on March 28 while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.

KHULNA, April 3, 2026 (BSS) – Two active members of notorious “Chhoto Jahangir Bahini” were arrested with arms and ammunition in two separate drives conducted by the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the Sundarbans, while three abducted fishermen were rescued from another pirate group. Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon disclosed the information this afternoon. Acting on a tip-off that members of the outlawed gang were took position near Baintala Khal under Dacope upazila of Khulna, a special operation was carried out at around 6 am today by Coast Guard Base Mongla and Outpost Nalian. Sensing the presence of the coast guard, the pirates attempted to flee into the forest. The pursuing team arrested two members of the gang along with two single-barrel guns, 23 rounds of live cartridges, five blank cartridges, and five pieces of yaba tablets and Tk 1,100 in cash. Their hideout was also destroyed. The arrestees were identified as Sohag Hawlader, 35, of Sharankhola in Bagerhat, and Babul Sana, 42, of Paikgachha in Khulna.  They had long been involved in piracy as member of the gang. In another operation, based on information, it was learned that members of the notorious “Jonab Bahini” had abducted three fishermen along with a fishing boat from Hogoldara Khal under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira on March 31, demanding ransom. Following the information, Coast Guard Station Haldibunia and Station Koikhali conducted a drive in the area at around 6:00 pm on April 1. During the operation, three fishermen along with their boat were rescued. The coast guard also seized another boat used by the pirates, two rounds of live cartridges, one blank cartridge, three walkie-talkie chargers, three mobile batteries and one axe. The rescued fishermen were identified as Intaj, 50, Mosharraf, 42, and Anis, 45, all residents of Shyamnagar in Satkhira. Legal procedures against the detained pirates and seized arms are underway, while the rescued fishermen are being handed over to their families. The coast guard official further said that in continuous drives over the past one and a half years, a total of 61 pirates belonging to different gangs, including Karim-Sharif, Nana Bhai, Chhoto Suman, Alif and Asabur Bahini, have been arrested. During the operations, 80 firearms, 599 rounds of live ammunition, 308 rounds of blank ammunition and 1,950 rounds of airgun pellets were seized, while 78 fishermen and three tourists were rescued from pirates. The Bangladesh Coast Guard will continue such drives to make the Sundarbans completely free from piracy, he added.