February 25, 2009. Five years back. Some unruly BDR soldiers took over the BDR headquarters– Pilkhana, killed 74 people including 57 army officers including the Director-General.
They also fired on some civilians, held many of their officers hostage, vandalized property and looted valuables.
On this very day in 2009, Bangladesh Rifles revolt was a mutiny staged by a section of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), a paramilitary force associated with guarding the borders.
The mutiny started on the second day of the annual event “BDR Week”, which was earlier inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As the session began at the “Darbar Hall” auditorium, a number of jawans spoke against the higher ranked army officials, while the BDR Director General Shakil Ahmed was making a speech.
They demanded the removal of Army officials from the BDR command and equal rights for the BDR soldiers. Soon they took the Director General and other senior officials as hostages inside the auditorium and later fired on them.
They also prepared heavy weaponry at the main entrance gates of the headquarters. The Bangladesh Army and the Rapid Action Battalion moved in and took up strong positions surrounding the BDR headquarters.
The Director General of the BDR, Major General Shakil Ahmed, was killed early during the first day of the revolt along with dozens of other senior commanders of the BDR.
The rebels also attacked the residences of the officers and killed the wife of the DG. They also raided the house of the DG and looted valuables.
The nation amidst call for justice by their beloved family members paying rich tributes to the army officers killed in the 2009 mutiny
The family members demanded justice and seek blessings for the departed souls of the deceased.
Special prayers will be offered at different mosques including Dhaka Cantonment and Pilkhana headquarters for the salvation of the departed souls. Hundreds of BGB officials, soldiers and family members and relatives of the slain army officials will join the prayers. – Priyo
Local Media on Five tears of BDR Mutiny
For those who died (Dhaka Tribune) Govt urged to find out ‘plotters’ (New Age) 5th anniversary of BDR carnage Tuesday (UNB)
