[🇧🇩] BDR Mutiny---An Irreparable Damage to Bangladesh's First Line of Defense

[Saif]

Dr. Moyen talks about BDR Mutiny.

 

[Saif]

Pinaki Bhattacharya Talks about BDR Killings---Part-1​

 

[Saif]

Pinaki Bhattacharya Talks about BDR Killings---Part-2​

 

[Saif]

Pilkhana carnage: BNP raises questions over lengthy judicial procedure

BNP today expressed concern over the prolonged legal proceedings in the Pilkhana mutiny case

www.thedailystar.net

Pilkhana carnage: BNP raises questions over lengthy judicial procedure​

BNP today expressed concern over the prolonged legal proceedings in the Pilkhana mutiny case.

A BNP delegation led by its standing comittee member Abdul Moyeen Khan paid homage to those killed in the mutiny at the Banani Military graveyard in the morning.

"We have heard about the judgment in the Pilkhana carnage case, but what is the status of the judgment? Has there been any appeal, and why has the hearing not completed in 15 years? Furthermore, another explosive case was filed in 2011... Why is the trial of the case still lingering?" he said.

"Today, we will say only one thing, every citizen of Bangladesh should get justice... That's what we expect. "

On February 25, 2009, several hundred Bangladesh Rifles (now BGB) men staged an armed revolt at the Darbar Hall of the force's Pilkhana headquarters during the three-day "BDR Week".

A total of 74 people, including 57 Army officers, were killed in the massacre beginning on this day.

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.
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[Saif]

In my opinion, the Indian army moved its para commando brigade from Agra to West Bengal to give a strong signal to Bangladesh army that if Sheikh Hasina was harmed due to BDR revolt, the Indian army will launch an attack on Bangladesh to save Sheikh Hasina. I think this is clear enough that both India and Awami League were the masterminds of BDR revolt.

Bangladesh mutiny: India moves more troops to WB | India News - Times of India

India News: India has airlifted "elements'' of its para-brigade based in Agra to West Bengal to deal with any contingency which arises due to the internal turmoil

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Bangladesh mutiny: India moves more troops to WB

New Delhi: India has air lifted "elements" of its para brigade based in Agra to Kalaikunda in West Bengal to deal with any contingency which arises due to the internal turmoil in Bangladesh.

Sources said, over a battalion strength (over 1000 soldiers) of the 50m independent Parachute Brigade was moved on Sunday from Agra to Kalaikunda, which has a large IAF base.

"Depending on the situation, more could follow. With Bangladesh army progressively taking over from the paramilitary BDR in posts along the Indo-Bangladesh border, it's a precautionary move," said a source.

With India keen on securing Bangladesh's firm cooperation in rooting out anti-Indian terror and insurgent outfits operating from its soil, the armies from the two countries recently came together to hold their first ever counter terrorism exercise in February-March.

Over the last couple of years, New Delhi has actively worked towards bolstering ties with Dhaka- which included forging links with Bangladesh army chief General Moeen U Ahmed, who took over the country's reins in early in 2007 with one of the main objectives being the need for both countries to "resolutely" tackle terrorism together.

New Delhi wants Dhaka tom act decisively against the over 100 suspected terror training camps and hide-outs of North-East insurgent outfits within its borders, apart from a hard crackdown on Harkat-Ul-Jihad-Islami (HuJI), which has left its imprints in several terror attacks in India.​

 

[Saif]

The IAF was put on stand by mode to rescue Hasina and her cohorts who were involved in BDR mutiny. First they moved para commando brigade from Agra to West Bengal and then put IAF on stand by mode. These events clearly show the Indian involvement in BDR mutiny.

IAF on stand-by, ready to help Bangladesh

With Bangladesh caught in a bloody turmoil after the two-day mutiny by a disgruntled border security force last week, the Indian Air Force has been put on standby to render assistance to the neighbouring country, if required, reports Rahul Singh.

www.hindustantimes.com

IAF on stand-by, ready to help Bangladesh​

Hindustan Times | ByRahul Singh, New Delhi
Mar 02, 2009 01:20 AM IST
​

With Bangladesh caught in a bloody turmoil after the two-day mutiny by a disgruntled border security force last week, the Indian Air Force has been put on standby to render assistance to the neighbouring country, if required, reports Rahul Singh.​

With Bangladesh caught in a bloody turmoil after the two-day mutiny by a disgruntled border security force last week, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been put on standby to render assistance to the neighbouring country, if required.

The IAF’s transport bases, equipped with IL-76 heavy-lift and AN-32 medium-lift aircraft, have been asked to stay prepared for any commitment to Bangladesh whose fragile civilian government is coming to terms with the rebellion by the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).

A senior IAF official, who refused to be identified, told HT on Sunday the force was ready to provide logistics as well as humanitarian help.

“We follow some drills whenever there is any instability or calamity in neighbourhood. Bangladesh returned to democratic rule barely two months ago,” a source in the air headquarters said.

The IAF had flown relief supplies to Bangladesh in November 2007, under Operation Sahayta, after a devastating cyclone tore through the country’s western coast leaving thousands dead and millions homeless.

In a stand-by scenario, the air force prioritises its commitments to make sure that assets are available at any given time for speedy deployment. The focus was on conserving assets to deal with any eventuality, said another official. It could also entail curbing leave temporarily to ensure availability of air crews.

The IAF’s transport base at Jorhat in Assam is the closest to Bangladesh. It is also one of the biggest transport bases of the force.

The mutinous guards went on a shooting spree at BDR’s officer corps at an annual meeting where troops were supposed to discuss grievances with the seniors. The rebels wanted among other things better pay, change in the command and control structure and permission to be part of lucrative UN peacekeeping missions.​

 

[Old School]

What you have witnessed and those that appeared in various media during the few days around 25 February 2009 are only "reactionary activities" to some 'still unknown' actions. To find those " unknown actions," you must return about six months before 25 February 2009. I am specifically talking about the last half of 2008. A few things happened in those six months that triggered this tragedy at Pilkhana.
Look for significant activities and developments within the Bangladesh Army in the last half of 2008. If you don't know about those last six months, try to find out as much as possible.
Bangladeshi media was under the Emergency rule in those last six months, and BD government intelligence services heavily censored them. I haven't seen any Bangladeshi/foreign big talker talking about those six months because General Moeen/Fakhruddin's hybrid emergency government ultimately kept them in the darkness during that period. You will be amazed if you fully understand and follow my suggestion.

 

[Saif]

Let me share an article I wrote in 2009 right after the BDR mutiny. My article was published in some online media.

BDR Revolt: A Deadly Strategic Game Plan
By Saif​

Introduction

Since the independence, Bangladesh Rifles, the first line of defense, have been combating smuggling, human trafficking, drug trafficking and other illegal activities along the border and have made supreme sacrifices to protect the lives and properties of the people from enemy invasion with great courage and valor. Bangladesh Rifles have earned worldwide recognition for its determination, patriotism, and professionalism when they successfully repelled a large invasion by Indian border security force at Roumari point in 2001.

Despite its performance and patriotism, the members of Bangladesh Rifles got little attention from successive governments to alleviate the problem of poor pay and benefit structures allowed for them. Nevertheless, they continued to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and took part in all nation building activities maintaining professionalism and discipline.

On 25th Feb, 2009, the nation was shocked at the news that some BDR members had revolted and killed many officers, who were on deputation from Bangladesh army, to protest against poor pay and benefit structures, and alleged corruption by the late Director General.

The mutineers asked the government to implement a set of demands on a priority basis to address the problems of the members of Bangladesh Rifles. Some of these demands[1] are as follows:

1. withdrawing army officers from all command posts of BDR and recruiting new officers from BCS cadres
2. allowing full rationing for BDR members
3. sending BDR personnel to U.N. peacekeeping missions
4. revamping salary structures and promotion procedures
5. allowing defense allowances for BDR members
6. procuring more transportation vehicles to guard the long porous border with India and Myanmar
7. increasing the quality of food and
8. improving educational and medical facilities for family members of the soldiers

Because of defense strategy, BDR is considered 2nd line of defense and embedded in the army, so it will not be possible to withdraw army officers from the command posts of BDR, but the rest of the demands deserve due consideration because these are logical and should have been given to the BDR members a long time ago for they put their lives in danger to safeguard the frontiers of the country.

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It is, therefore, hoped that the government will take appropriate measures to remove the grievances of the BDR members to stop the occurrences of similar incidents in the future.

Now, let us examine whether there were any political motivations behind this unfortunate incident that shocked the entire nation.