United News of Bangladesh

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday paid homage to the 57 army officers killed in the Pilkhana BDR carnage, marking ‘Jatiya Shaheed Sena Dibas’ (National Martyred Army Day). The President first placed a wreath at the Banani Military Graveyard in the capital around 10:05am, followed by the Prime Minister. The head of state and the head of government separately stood in solemn silence in honour of the 57 army officers who were killed at the then Bangladesh Rifles headquarters in Dhaka on February 25–26, 2009. A one-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the victims of the BDR tragedy while members of the armed forces offered a state salute. A munajat was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the martyred army officers and the wellbeing of their family members. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff M Nazmul Hassan and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan were present on the occasion. Senior officers of the army, navy and air force, as well as family members and close relatives of the slain officers, were also present at the graveyard. ‘Jatiya Shaheed Sena Dibas’ is being observed today to mark 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, when BDR members staged a mutiny. Among the victims was the then BDR Director General, Major General Shakil Ahmed. Following the fall of the Awami League government in a mass uprising last year, the government decided to observe the tragic day as ‘Jatiya Shaheed Sena Dibas’. After the mutiny, Bangladesh Rifles was renamed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and changes were also made to its uniform.