Pilkhana carnage an attempt to undermine Bangladesh's sovereignty: Tarique
President, PM pay tribute to martyrs of Pilkhana tragedy.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has 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 today (25 January) while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the family members of the slain officers.
The programme was held at the Army Multipurpose Hall in Dhaka Cantonment, marking Jatiya Shaheed Sena Dibas (National Martyred Army Day).
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Referring to the Pilkhana incident, the prime minister said the massacre had exposed weaknesses in the country's national security structure.
"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 General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqi also addressed the event.
Three representatives of the slain officers' families shared their pain and anguish over losing their loved ones 17 years ago in the brutal massacre. They placed several demands, including ensuring justice for the killings and bringing the masterminds behind the incident to justice.
The prime minister's wife Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman were also present.
Earlier in the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and PM Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the 2009 Pilkhana carnage at Banani Military Graveyard, marking National Martyred Army Day.Tarique placed wreaths at the graveyard and offered prayers seeking eternal peace for the martyrs, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
On 25 February 2009, several hundred members of the then Bangladesh Rifles — now Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) — launched an armed revolt at the Darbar Hall of their Pilkhana headquarters during the three-day "BDR Week". The mutineers killed 74 people, including 57 army officers.
The mutiny ended the following day after negotiations between the then government and the rebels led to the surrender of firearms, ammunition and grenades.
A total of 58 cases — including one for murder and looting and the rest for mutiny — were filed in connection with the incident.
A Dhaka court on 5 November 2013 sentenced 152 soldiers of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles and two civilians to death and 161 others to life imprisonment for their involvement in the mutiny.
