Investigation links Pilkhana massacre to conspiracy
Staff Reporter :
The National Independent Investigation Commission has concluded that the Pilkhana massacre at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters was the result of a longstanding conspiracy.
The commission also identified involvement of political leaders at various levels in the events of 25 and 26 February 2009.
The commission, established by the interim government, disclosed its findings at a press conference on Wednesday morning at the newly constructed BRICM building in Dhaka’s Science Laboratory area.
Commission Chair Fazlur Rahman criticised the intelligence agencies of the time for gross negligence, stating they failed to perform their duties during the BDR mutiny. He also held the armed forces command and law enforcement agencies responsible for inaction and delayed response while the atrocities were unfolding.
“No effective steps were taken to prevent the mutiny and the killings. The available evidence points to serious failures on the part of intelligence agencies,” he said.
Fazlur Rahman further highlighted that political indecision, under the pretext of seeking a peaceful solution, alongside the passivity of the military and law enforcement, allowed the violence to escalate. He alleged attempts to misdirect the investigation, noting that two previous inquiry commissions had sought to obscure the facts.
“There was a deliberate effort to associate the incident with militancy to divert the investigation’s course,” he added. The Commission Chair revealed that several victims and eyewitnesses had suggested possible foreign involvement in the mutiny and killings. These claims are currently under verification and analysis.
“Based on the evidence collected so far, the Commission believes that prompt military intervention could have averted the brutal killings and associated crimes,” he stated.
To date, the Commission has interviewed 158 individuals, including military and civilian officials as well as political figures, with around 50 more testimonies still pending.
A preliminary draft of the investigation report has been prepared and is under review by commission members.
The Commission continues to record key witness statements and has sought cooperation from several prominent individuals to support its ongoing analysis. Additionally, communications are underway with various foreign embassies and organisations to obtain further information, a process expected to require additional time.
In light of these developments, the Commission has formally requested an extension of its deadline, proposing to submit the final report by 30 September.