Nation must uphold justice for BDR carnage’s victims: Fakhrul

Staff Reporter :

Local overnment, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Wednesday urged an impartial investigation into the 2009 BDR carnage. He said, The nation must uphold justice for the victims while consolidating Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democracy.

The minister made the remarks after laying wreaths at the Banani Military Graveyard in the capital on the occasion of National Martyred Army Day, marking the anniversary of the 2009 Pilkhana carnage.

By the infinite mercy of Allah, the people of Bangladesh have always stood to protect their sovereignty, independence, and democracy. With the Bangladesh Nationalist Party now entrusted with governing the country, we have a historic opportunity to strengthen the nation’s independence and democratic institutions, Fakhrul said.

We demand a fair and transparent investigation into this heinous crime to bring the responsible individuals and forces to justice, he added. The minister described the killing of 74 people, including 57 army officers, as ‘a shameful and disgraceful chapter in our history’ and condemned the conspiracy behind the mutiny, which aimed to undermine the morale of the Bangladesh Army and the nation.

Major General (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar; Lt. Colonel (Retd.) Kamruzzaman; Major (Retd.) Mizanur Rahman; Major (Retd.) Siddiqur Rahman; Squadron Leader (Retd.) Zahid Hossain; along with JAGPA Chairman Khandaker Lutfar Rahman; Raqir Ahmed Bhuiyan, son of former BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed; and BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, were present.

Earlier on February 23, 2025, the government declared February 25 as National Martyred Army Day, to honor the sacrifices of army officers who lost their lives in the Pilkhana tragedy. A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed during the carnage at the Pilkhana headquarters of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on February 25-26, 2009.