Pilkhana Massacre Remembered on National Martyred Army Day as Justice Questions Persist After 17 Years

Dhaka: Today, 25 February, Bangladesh observes National Martyred Army Day, marking the anniversary of the brutal killings at the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Pilkhana in 2009. On this day seventeen years ago, a horrific massacre took place in the name of a mutiny, claiming the lives of 57 army officers, including BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed.

Despite the passage of nearly two decades, serious questions remain over whether all the planners and masterminds behind the massacre have been brought to justice. The unresolved nature of the case continues to haunt the nation, particularly the families of the slain officers and members of the armed forces.

On the occasion, the President and the Prime Minister paid state tributes to the martyred officers at the Banani Military Graveyard in the capital on Wednesday morning. The day has been observed officially by the state since last year, dedicated to remembrance, prayers, and honouring the sacrifice of the fallen army officers.

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, an independent national investigation commission submitted its report on the Pilkhana massacre, revealing information about those involved and identifying alleged masterminds behind the killings. Although the interim government initiated legal proceedings against individuals named in the report, the judicial process has yet to reach completion.

In a message issued on the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that in a fascism-free Bangladesh, the underlying causes of the Pilkhana massacre have now become clearer. He noted that as the matter remains under judicial process, detailed comments were not appropriate. However, he emphasized that the killings involved activities hostile to the country’s independence and sovereignty, a reality that citizens must acknowledge. He also stated that efforts had been made after the massacre to mislead the public through misinformation and false narratives.

Earlier this week, Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed said that in line with electoral commitments, the government would either re-investigate the Pilkhana killings or take action based on the existing commission’s report. He reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring justice.

Barrister Sakib Rahman, son of slain army officer Colonel Qudrat-e-Elahi, said that most families of the martyrs are satisfied with the findings of the independent investigation commission. He expressed hope that the current government would initiate the judicial process strictly based on the commission’s recommendations.

Meanwhile, opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited the graves of the martyred officers on Wednesday morning. Speaking to journalists, he said the nation still lacks full clarity on who carried out the heinous killings. He demanded an immediate, impartial investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Addressing the issue further, Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has no plan to form a new investigation commission. He explained that the interim government had already established a competent commission, and the focus now is on completing the judicial processes related to ongoing cases and implementing the remaining recommendations in phases. Assuring the families of the martyrs, he said justice would be delivered to prevent such tragedies from recurring. He added that the massacre was an attempt to weaken the armed forces, an act that could only be carried out by forces opposed to the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The blood-stained chapter of Pilkhana remains a deep scar in Bangladesh’s military and political history. Each year, National Martyred Army Day renews the collective memory of grief, sacrifice, and the enduring demand for complete justice.