BDR carnage an assault on sovereignty: PM

The National Martyred Army Day was observed with due dignity on Wednesday commemorating the 17th martyrdom anniversary of the army officers who were killed in the 2009 BDR (now BGB) carnage, reports BSS.

On the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the martyred soldiers and officers of the paramilitary border security forces at the Banani Graveyard in the morning, said a release of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate.

A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers with the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) DG among them were killed during the carnage at the Pilkhana headquarters of the paramilitary force on February 25-26, 2009.

Earlier on February 23 the government declared February 25 as 'National Martyred Army Day' to honour the army officers who lost their lives in the Pilkhana tragedy.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chiefs of the three services -- Army, Navy and Air Force -- Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Director General of the BGB and members of the martyrs' families paid their deepest respects to the memory of the soldiers.

According to bdnews24.com, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has described the 2009 killing of Army officers at Pilkhana as an attempt to undermine Bangladesh's sovereignty.

On Wednesday, Tarique said the massacre highlighted weaknesses in the country's national security structure.

"The Bangladesh Army has a glorious history in the Liberation War and in the nation-building process afterwards. It stands as a symbol of our sovereignty," Tarique said at the Army Multipurpose Complex in the Cantonment.

"I believe the Pilkhana tragedy was a deliberate attempt to violate our sovereignty. The incident exposed weaknesses in our national security apparatus, and our government will work continuously to modernise and strengthen it in line with global standards," he added.

Tarique spoke during a discussion marking National Martyred Army Day.

On Feb 25-26, 2009, a mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka left 74 dead, including 57 Army officers.

The revolt sent shockwaves across the nation and drew international attention.

Following the massacre, the force was restructured, renamed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and uniforms redesigned.

Tarique also pledged long-term welfare measures for the families of the officers who died during the incident, ensuring their children's education, medical care, and rehabilitation.

Paying tribute to the fallen, Tarique said: "Ramadan teaches us restraint and self-purification. We pray to Allah to grant peace to the martyrs' souls, patience and strength to their families, and guide our state institutions along the path of justice, discipline, and responsibility."