Family members of the army personnel martyred during the BDR carnage pay tribute to their loved ones by laying wreaths at their graves at the military graveyard in Banani on Tuesday, marking the National Martyred Army Day. — FE Photo Sixteen years after one of the deadliest military mutinies in Bangladesh's history, the victims of the 2009 Pilkhana massacre were remembered on the newly proclaimed "National Martyred Army Day", reports bdnews24.com.
The recognition comes after years of appeals from bereaved families who sought official acknowledgment of the atrocities that claimed the lives of 57 army officers.
On Sunday, the government formally declared Feb 25 as National Martyred Army Day.
The announcement set the stage for an official commemoration at the Banani Military Graveyard in Dhaka on Tuesday, where high-ranking officials and grieving families gathered to pay their respects.
At 9am, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus laid wreaths at the graves of the fallen soldiers.
They were followed by Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Army chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, each representing their respective branches.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, also participated in the ceremony.
Families of the slain officers arrived later to pay floral tributes.
A prayer service was subsequently held in memory of the fallen officers.
"This day has always been observed, but today is different," said Jahangir.
"Now, it has been officially declared as Martyred Army Day. Their families are here, and we are here, to seek forgiveness for their souls."
In addition to state recognition, victims' families have long sought justice for their loved ones.
The government recently formed a seven-strong independent investigation commission to review the case, with a report expected within three months.
"Their two main demands were justice and recognition," said Jahangir.
The long-delayed reinvestigation of the mutiny has reignited questions about lingering legal issues.
Many individuals remain imprisoned due to an unresolved explosives case, despite having completed sentences in a murder case over the incident. Jahangir acknowledged the complexity of the legal process but said that decisions regarding further legal action would be made by the courts.
A total of 74 people were killed in the BDR carnage on February 25 in 2009 , which caused a stir both nationally and internationally.
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