12th anniversary of Pilkhana carnage observed

The nation yesterday observed the 12th anniversary of Pilkhana carnage, which left 74 people, including 57 army officers, dead. 

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

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, chiefs of the three branches of 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 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General 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.

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

According to UNB, BGB had organised Quran-khwani as well as doa and milad mahfil.

BGB flags were hoisted at half-mast at all BGB installations, and all BGB members are wearing black badges to mark the day.

On February 25, 2009, several hundred Bangladesh Rifles (now BGB) 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 with the surrender of firearms, ammunition and grenades through a negotiation between then government and BDR rebels.   

Sanjana Sonia, left, wife of slain Maj Mohammad Mominul Islam Sarkar, cries standing in front of her husband’s grave at the military graveyard in the capital’s Banani, on the 12th anniversary of BDR mutiny yesterday. Seventy-four people, including Maj Mominul and 56 other army officers, were killed in the carnage in 2009. Photo: Anisur Rahman