United News of Bangladesh

National Martyred Army Day is being observed on Wednesday to pay tributes to the martyrs of the 2009 Pilkhana massacre.   Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday issued a message marking National Martyred Army Day. The Prime Minister said the day had not been observed with due importance after 2009. “Since the country was freed from fascism in 2024, the day has been observed as ‘Martyred Army Day’,” he said. On the occasion, he prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family members. “The trial over the Pilkhana killings is ongoing. As the matter is sub judice, there is no scope to comment in detail,” he said. “However, I believe it is important for us, as citizens, to recognise that activities opposing the country’s and the people’s independence and sovereignty were behind this massacre. After the incident, there were attempts to mislead the public through various falsehoods and misinformation,” said Tarique Rahman. “Let this National Martyred Army Day be a pledge that we will stand united against any conspiracy against the country and its people,” the message added. On this day in 2009, a massacre took place at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana.Fifty-seven army officers were among the 74 people killed. Among the martyrs were 56 valiant army officers including the then BDR chief, Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed. Their sacrifice remains a dark yet solemn chapter in the nation’s history. Each year, the country remembers this tragic day with deep sorrow, paying tribute to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

BNP will hold prayers on Tuesday across the country, including in Dhaka, on the occasion of National Martyred Army Day to remember those killed in the BDR carnage.   BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced this one-day programme during a press conference at the party's central office in Nayapaltan on Monday afternoon. He said, “Every year, on February 25, BNP remembers the martyrs with great respect. This year, the government has announced the observance of National Martyred Army Day. BNP supports the government's declaration to observe this day nationally.” The programme will include paying respect and offering prayers at the Banani Army Graveyard in the morning, followed by a discussion session at 3:30 pm at the Engineers Institution auditorium, Ramna. Rizvi also mentioned that similar prayer events will be organised in districts and metropolitan areas across the country. Remain vigilant against return of fascism: Tarique Rahman The BNP leader said, “The army investigation report on the BDR rebellion has not been released, but the report from that time clearly indicates that those in power and their international masters might have been involved in this brutal massacre. Many pieces of evidence were destroyed in the process.” “Various conspiracies were carried out to cripple Bangladesh and destroy the strong defense system that had been built in the country. On February 25, 2009, this massacre took place as part of those plots,” he added. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Abdus Salam, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, central leaders Shirin Sultana, Helen Zerin Khan, Munir Hossain, Amirul Islam Khan Alim and others were present at the press conference. On Sunday, a circular was issued by the Cabinet Division stating this declaration. It mentioned that February 25 will be observed as National Martyred Army Day every year, but it will not be a public holiday. The day will be classified as a "Category C" holiday. The circular urges relevant ministries, departments, and organizations to implement this decision appropriately. The February 25-26, 2009, BDR rebellion at the Pilkhana headquarters in Dhaka led to the murder of 57 army officers and a total of 74 deaths. The incident caused an international uproar.

The government has decided to observe February 25 as National Martyred Army Day, honouring the supreme sacrifice of army officers who lost their lives in the tragic Pilkhana incident. A notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday instructed all ministries, divisions and organisations to comply with the observance annually. However, the day will not be marked as a public holiday. Pilkhana massacre reinvestigation: Commission seeks army's cooperation, as they meet General Waker-uz-Zaman On February 25, 2009, several hundred mutineers of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), launched an armed rebellion at the Pilkhana Darbar Hall, brutally killing 74 people. Among the martyrs were 56 valiant army officers, including the then BDR chief, Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed. Their sacrifice remains a dark yet solemn chapter in the nation’s history. Pilkhana Massacre: Govt decides against forming inquiry committee for now Each year, the country remembers this tragic day with deep sorrow, paying tribute to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.