Today is the epoch of the infernal massacre in Peelkhana

News Desk: Today marks the epicenter of the infernal massacre at the Peelkhana, the headquarters of the Bangladesh Border Security Force (BGB). On February 25, 2009, misguided rebel BDR soldiers brutally killed 84 people, including 57 army officers. On this black day of history, Peelkhana is shaken by the roar of heavy weapons and bullets.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the three-day Rifles Week on February 24, 2009. The annual Durbar will be held on February 25 at 9 am at the Peelkhana Darbar. The Durbar Hall was then full of BDR jawans, JCOs, NCOs, and a large number of members from all over the country. On the stage of the hall, the then BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, Deputy Director General (DDG) Brigadier General MA Bari, officers of different units, and members of various positions of BDR. According to the report of the government investigation committee, 2,560 people were present in the court on that day.

BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed was speaking in a joyous atmosphere after the start of the court. During the speech of the director-general, at 9:26 am, two rebel soldiers entered the stage from behind the left side of the stage. Sepoy Moin pointed a gun barrel in front of the DG. Trembling with fear, the killer could not fire but the other jawans started firing randomly. The carnage began. The sound of gunfire was coming from outside the Durbar Hall. After a while, the rebel soldiers wearing red and green cloths tied their noses and mouths and started firing around the Durbar Hall.

They keep firing like rain. They also took control of the arsenal. At around 10:30 am, the rebel soldiers lined up the officers from the court hall. As soon as the DG-led officers set foot outside the Durbar Hall, they fired at the four DGs wearing yellow robes and helmets. A few more officers were killed after the DG. The misguided rebels became involved in the infernal massacre. Within moments, the revolt spread to other BDR battalions in the country. Then the rebel soldiers started patrolling inside the Peelkhana with weapons. After brutally killing army officers, the bodies were dumped in the drain.

The bodies of several army officers were recovered from the surrounding area. Army officers and many members of their families were released a few hours later. Two cases, including one for murder and one under the Explosives Act, were filed in the incident. In the murder case, the lower court sentenced 152 BDR jawans to death, 162 to life imprisonment, and 256 to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. As the allegations were not proved, 26 people were acquitted from the case. The accused appealed against the verdict. In 2016, a larger bench of the High Court sentenced 139 out of 152 jawans to death.

165 people were given life imprisonment. More than 200 people were sentenced to different terms. 45 people were released. An appeal is pending against the High Court's verdict in the Peelkhana murder case. The case under the Explosives Act is pending in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court. There are 634 accused in this case. After this infernal murder, the BGB was sorted out. From January 23, 2011, the name of BDR was officially changed to BGB. Army uniforms, badges, and flags were changed. Besides, Border Guard Bangladesh Bill 2010 was passed in Parliament on 7 December 2010.

Various changes were made in the new Border Guard Act, including changing the name of the Border Guard Force of Bangladesh and providing for stricter punishment for mutiny. Today (Thursday) the BGB will celebrate the anniversary of that incident. The program of the day includes the management of all regions, sectors, institutions, and units of the BGB including Peelkhana. Representatives of the President and Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chiefs of the three Armed Forces (jointly), Home Secretary, and Director General of BGB (together) will lay a wreath at the Martyrs' Memorial at Banani Military Cemetery under the management of Bangladesh Army at 9 am.

Besides, BGB flags will be hoisted at all BGB installations on the occasion of the day and all BGB members will wear black badges. A special prayer and Milad mahfil will be held at BGB Central Mosque, Dhaka Sector Mosque and Border Guard Hospital Mosque in Peelkhana on Friday (February 28) after Jumu'ah to seek forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs.