Pilkhana tragedy: Nation pays homage to martyrs

The nation on Saturday paid deep tributes to the martyrs killed in the Pilkhana tragedy marking the 14th anniversary of the gruesome BDR massacre.

A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed in the carnage that took place at the then BDR’s Pilkhana headquarters in 2009.

Marking the day with due respect, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has arranged some events including recitation from the Holy Quran, offering prayers and holding milad mahfil seeking eternal peace of departed souls, said a BGB press release.

Major General S M Salahuddin Islam, Military Secretary of the President and Major General Kabir Ahmed, Military Secretary of the Prime Minister, placed wreaths at the graves of the slain army officers at the Military Graveyard in the capital’s Banani area on behalf of the President and the Prime Minister, respectively, said a press release of ISPR.

The BGB flag is being hoisted at half-mast at all BGB installations and all the BGB members are wearing black badges to mark the day.

Besides, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Acting Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral M Ashraful Haq and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan and family members of the slain officers also paid their tributes.

On February 25, 2009, several hundred members of then Bangladesh Rifles, now BGB, staged an armed revolution at its Pilkhana headquarters during a three-day BDR Week.

The revolt claimed 74 lives, including 57 army officers.

The mutiny ended the following day with the surrender of firearms, ammunition and grenades through a negotiation between the then Sheikh Hasina government and the mutineers.

A total of 58 cases including one for murder and looting and the rest for mutiny were filed after the violent revolt.

Some 152 people were sentenced to death and 423 others to different jail terms in connection with the case.

Besides, 277 accused were acquitted in the country’s largest-ever killing case.

Among the convicts, 262 mutineers were sentenced to different jail terms starting from three months to 19 years and 161 people, including late BNP leader Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and local Awami League leader Torab Ali, were sentenced to life imprisonment.

On the other hand, 5,926 BDR personnel were sentenced to different jail terms ranging from four months to seven years in the 57 mutiny cases.