Staff Reporter :
The Namaz-e-Janaza for six Bangladeshi peacekeepers, who tragically lost their lives in a drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan’s Abyei region, was held this morning at the central mosque of Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday.
The solemn ceremony began at 9:15 am with representatives from Bangladesh’s top leadership in attendance. Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Md Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, senior military and civil officials, personnel of various ranks, and members of media attended the funeral prayer, CA Press Wing said.
These dignitaries paid their respects to the fallen soldiers, as did representatives from the three armed forces, who honored the deceased by standing by their coffins.
Before the Namaz-e-Janaza, brief life sketches of the martyrs were read out, highlighting their dedication to the peacekeeping mission in Sudan. Prayers were also offered for the departed souls.
Thereafter, on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, the Chief Community Liaison Officer of UNISFA, Boris-Ephrem Tchoumavi delivered a speech.
Later, Tchoumavi handed over the United Nations flag to the next of kin of the martyrs on behalf of the UN Secretary-General. Following the funeral prayer, due state honours were accorded to the martyrs.
The six peacekeepers who died were Corporal Md Masud Rana from Natore, Soldier Md Mominul Islam and Soldier Shanto Mondal from Kurigram, Soldier Shamim Reza from Rajbari, Mess Waiter Md Jahangir Alam from Kishoreganj, and Laundry Worker Md. Shobuj Mia from Gaibandha.
The tragic deaths occurred on 13 December, when a drone attack, attributed to a rebel armed group, targeted the Kadugli Logistics Base in Abyei, South Sudan, where the peacekeepers were stationed as part of the UN peacekeeping mission.
The attack left six peacekeepers dead and nine others injured, including Lt Col Khondakar Khalekuzzaman, Sergeant Md. Mostakim Hossain, Corporal Afroza Parvin Iti, Lance Corporal Mohibul Islam, and several others.
Following the funeral prayers, the bodies of the six fallen heroes were flown by helicopter to their respective home districts for burial.
A special Emirates Airlines flight carrying their bodies had arrived in Dhaka on Saturday morning from Sudan.
In his address, the Chief Adviser and other officials expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and praised their sacrifice in service to global peace.
The peacekeepers’ families were also present to receive the tributes and support from the nation.
The attack has been widely condemned, and there are calls for heightened security for UN peacekeepers in conflict zones to prevent further tragedies.
The nation mourns the loss of these brave individuals who dedicated their lives to peacekeeping in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
