Bangladesh News

An investigation committee of the army, led by Quarter Master General Lt Gen Mohammad Jahangir Alam Choudhury, will start probing the BDR mutiny at Pilkhana today.

Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army Lt Gen Sina Ibn Jamali told a press briefing at the army headquarters last night that the probe body has six to seven members and if necessary more members will be co-opted into the body.

The committee will visit the BDR headquarters today and continue its probe until its investigation ends.

Asked how the BDR mutineers managed to flee their headquarters, he said after investigation it will be clear. He said those BDR jawans who failed to report back will be considered deserters.

Brig Gen Syed Imam Hossain and Brig Gen Mohammad Abdul Hakim were present at the press briefing.

He said those who were involved in the mutiny will be brought to justice fast by the government after they are identified and tracked down. He also said vested quarters are spreading rumours to deteriorate the situation. He called upon all to be alert.

He said the government will form a special tribunal to try the culprits and if required a bill will be passed in parliament in this regard. Legal punitive measures will be taken against the perpetrators.

Asked whether the prime minister’s visit and address to army officers will reduce the pent-up anger in the army, Sina said, “Of course, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina heard of our pain and grief attentively, gave us consolation and courage. She assured us of taking quick action in all matters. We officers are grateful to her.”

Replying to a query whether intelligence failed to collect information on the mutiny beforehand, he said the BDR has a very small intelligence unit with only one or two officers and the rest are soldiers who remain scattered across the country.

He also said other intelligence agencies including Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) are always busy with state security.

It will be clear after investigation whether the intelligence actually failed.

Replying to a question, he said the mutiny suggests that there is a need for remodelling intelligence agencies, including the DGFI, so that they are more modern and effective.

Lt Gen Sina also said the government has decided, in principal, to change the name Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and restructure the paramilitary force. “Different names of the force are under consideration.”

“We are sure that seven of our officers who were in the BDR headquarters during the mutiny are yet to be traced,” said Lt Gen Sina Ibn Jamali.

He said their search and rescue operations are still going on.

However, sources in the army late last night said the figure of missing officers actually stands at six, not seven.

Lt Gen Sina said they have so far retrieved 56 bodies of army officers and their family members. Moreover, three unidentified bodies are waiting DNA tests for identification.

Forty officers survived the mutiny.