12th anniversary of Pilkhana carnage being observed

The nation is observing the 12th anniversary of the Pilkhana carnage that left 74 people, including 57 army officers, dead.

At 9:00am, President's Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam placed a floral wreath on behalf of President Abdul Hamid at Banani Military Graveyard. Then the Prime Minister's Military Secretary Major General Nakib Ahmed paid tribute to the martyrs on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Chief of the three armed forces -- Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed, Acting Navy Chief Rear Admiral M Abu Ashraf and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat -- and Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Md Shafeenul Islam also placed wreaths at the graveyard.

They later observed a minute of silence and prayed for the eternal peace and salvation of the departed souls.

The families of the deceased placed floral wreaths on their graves as well, according to an ISPR press release.

According to UNB, BGB has organised Quran Khawani, doa, and milad mahfil, marking the day.

BGB flags have been hoisted half-mast at all Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) installations and all BGB members are wearing black badges to mark the day.

On February 25, 2009, several hundred BDR men rose up in an armed revolt at the Darbar Hall of the force's Pilkhana headquarters during the three-day "BDR Week".

The mutiny finally ended the following day (Feb 26) with the surrender of firearms, ammunition and grenades through a negotiation between the then government and the BDR rebels.