On February 25-26 in 2009, unruly BDR soldiers took over the BDR headquarters– Pilkhana, killed 74 people 57 army officers among them including the Director-General.
They also fired on some civilians, held many of their officers hostage, vandalized property and looted valuables.
The BDR revolt was staged by a section of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), a paramilitary force entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the borders.
The mutiny was started on the second day of the annual event “BDR Week”, which was earlier inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As the main session began at the “Darbar Hall” auditorium, a number of jawans spoke against the higher ranked army officials, while the BDR Director General Shakil Ahmed was making a speech.
They demanded the removal of Army officials from the BDR command and equal rights for the BDR soldiers. Soon they took the Director General and other senior officials as hostages inside the auditorium and later opened fire on them.
They also prepared heavy weaponry at the main entrance gates of the headquarters. The Bangladesh Army and the Rapid Action Battalion moved in and took up strong positions surrounding the BDR headquarters.
The Director General of the BDR, Major General Shakil Ahmed, was killed early during the first day of the revolt along with dozens of other senior commanders of the BDR.
The rebels also attacked the residences of the officers and killed the wife of the DG. They also raided the house of the DG and looted valuables.
The nation amidst call for justice by their beloved family members paid rich tributes to the army officers killed in the 2009 mutiny
The family members demanded justice and sought blessings for the departed souls .
Special prayers were offered at mosques at Dhaka Cantonment and Pilkhana headquarters for their salvation . Hundreds of BGB officials, soldiers and family members and relatives of the slain army officials joined the prayers. (Source:banglanews24.com)
