PM Tarique issues message ahead of Martyred Army Day tomorrow

National Martyred Army Day will be observed tomorrow (25 February), with tributes paid to the martyrs of the 2009 Pilkhana massacre.

On the eve of the occasion, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (24 February) issued a message praying for the eternal peace of the souls of the martyrs of the Pilkhana massacre and expressing deepest sympathy and solidarity with their bereaved family members.

He said that on 25 February, 2009, a brutal massacre took place at the then BDR (now BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana.

The prime minister said 74 people were martyred, including 57 army officers, in the carnage at the Pilkhana BDR headquarters.

After 2009, the day was not observed with due importance, he said, adding that since 2024, following the country's liberation from fascism, the day has been observed as "Martyred Army Day."

He prayed for the eternal peace of the martyrs of the Pilkhana massacre.

"The trial over the killings at Pilkhana is ongoing. As the matter is sub judice, there is no scope for detailed comments. However, as citizens, I believe it is important for us to understand that activities against the country's independence and sovereignty were involved behind this massacre. After the incident, there were attempts to mislead the public through various falsehoods and misinformation," he said.

"But in a fascism-free Bangladesh, the underlying causes behind the Pilkhana killings are now understood by the people," said Tarique.

He said the armed forces are a symbol of the honour, bravery, and pride of an independent nation.

"Today, we must renew our pledge so that no one can ever again conspire against the armed forces. Let this be our commitment on Martyred Army Day, that we will stand united against any conspiracy that goes against the interests of the country and its people," he said.