Khaleda Zia’s funeral held amid tight security in Dhaka
The funeral of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia took place on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, at Manik Mia Avenue, adjacent to the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital.
People from all walks of life gathered to pay their last respects, turning the area into a large congregation of mourners. Despite the heavy turnout, the funeral proceedings were completed peacefully, maintaining religious decorum and order.
According to the Operations Directorate of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force, extensive and co-ordinated security measures were implemented to ensure overall safety during the funeral.
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A total of 1,500 members from various units of the force were deployed as part of the security arrangements. This included 300 Ansar Battalion members, 1,000 integrated Ansars, and 200 Town Defence Party (TDP) members. They were stationed at the funeral venue, surrounding roads, entry and exit points, and other key locations to facilitate smooth movement and public participation.
Ansar and TDP members played an active role in crowd control, traffic management, maintaining order, and providing immediate assistance in case of emergencies. Owing to the co-ordinated security efforts, the funeral was concluded without any untoward incident.
Officials said the presence of Ansar and TDP members at nationally significant and sensitive events is crucial for ensuring public safety and maintaining overall order. They expressed hope that the force would continue to carry out its responsibilities with professionalism and dedication at future public events.
