Inquiry finds political involvement in BDR tragedy
NN Online:
The 2009 BDR mutiny was the result of a long-standing conspiracy with the involvement of the then political leadership, according to the National Independent Investigation Commission.
Major General (retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman, chairman of the commission formed to re-investigate the Pilkhana tragedy, made the remarks during a press briefing at the BRICM building in Dhaka’s Science Laboratory area on Wednesday.
“The commission has found evidence of political involvement and attempts to divert the investigation and destroy evidence,” he said, reading from a prepared statement.
He noted that the commission is currently reviewing a vast range of information gathered from multiple sources. So far, 158 individuals have been interviewed, with plans to speak to 50 more.
The commission also recorded testimonies from six members of the martyrs’ families and held two press conferences with their relatives. Fifteen surviving officers of the mutiny gave statements, and the Army Headquarters is facilitating written testimonies from 50 more.
Statements have also been recorded from eight political figures — three in jail, three in person, and two fugitives via email.
Fifty-five senior military officials, including former chiefs of the army, navy, air force, and heads of intelligence agencies, have also been interviewed. Twenty civilians — including journalists, bureaucrats, and former inquiry committee members — shared their accounts.
Additionally, testimonies were taken from the then IGP, DMP Commissioner, and other senior police officials.
The commission interviewed 25 BDR personnel convicted in connection with the mutiny and 29 former personnel who were later released. Many shared detailed accounts implicating various individuals in the planning and execution of the attack.
Investigators are also gathering intelligence from six foreign embassies and the UN’s resident coordinator’s office in Dhaka.
CCTV footage, photographs, and video clips related to the incident have been collected from various sources and are being analyzed forensically.
Commission members have visited the Pilkhana Headquarters, consulted with officials from DGFI and RAB, and collected physical and testimonial evidence from the crime scene.
To expand the investigation, the commission sent 316 letters along with questionnaires to 25 government and non-government bodies. Responses have been received for 19 questions, with follow-ups ongoing for the rest.
Key documents under review include the Bangladesh Army’s court of enquiry report and the Home Ministry’s original investigation. Testimonies from members of these earlier inquiry bodies have also been taken.
So far, 57 reports from BDR unit-level investigations have been obtained and analyzed.
Efforts to gather further details from international sources are in progress, and the commission has emphasized the need for more time to conclude the inquiry.
