Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, in which 57 army officers were killed, was a sinister attempt to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

“The Army is a symbol of our sovereignty. I believe the tragic incident at Pilkhana was an evil attempt to foil our sovereignty,” he said while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the family members of the 57 army officers killed in the BDR carnage.

The programme was held at the Army Multipurpose Hall in Dhaka Cantonment, marking Jatiya Shaheed Sena Dibas (National Martyred Army Day).

Referring to the Pilkhana incident, the Prime Minister said weaknesses in the country’s national security structure were exposed through it.

“So, in line with the changing global context, our national security framework needs to be made more modern, time-befitting and stronger. Our government will certainly work towards this goal,” he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff Waker-Uz-Zaman and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqi also addressed the programme.

Three representatives of the slain army officers’ families also spoke at the event and shared their pains and agonies over losing their loved ones 17 years ago in the brutal massacre.

They also placed several demands, including ensuring justice for the killings and bringing the masterminds behind the incident to justice.

Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman were also present.

Jatiya Shaheed Sena Dibas was observed on the day, marking the Pilkhana carnage in which 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed at the then Bangladesh Rifles headquarters in Dhaka on February 25–26, 2009.