What Sheikh Hasina said to the army chief on the day of BDR murder

Former army chief Moin U Ahmed gave details about what happened on the day of BDR murder. On Thursday (September 5), Moin U Ahmed shared his commentary on his own YouTube channel. Moin, who is staying abroad, spoke for the first time about the incident.

At the beginning of the video, he prayed for the forgiveness of the victims of July-August and the speedy recovery of the injured, and said that the way the government-students stand by the victims is highly commendable.

Regarding the killing of 57 army officers in Pilkhana, Moin U Ahmed said, “When I order an investigation into the BDR rebellion incident, I am told that when the government is investigating this matter, what do we need?” We did not get the help we needed from the government to conduct this investigation.

The former army chief said that the army's inquiry committee was headed by Lt. Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (current home adviser). He could not do his job properly, because many were in jail, many could not be questioned. He came to me several times and mentioned his problem. I hope, he is now the home adviser. He will be able to reconstitute this investigation committee and find out those involved. I requested him in this regard after forming the government.

Moin Yu said, on that day (25 February 2009) at 7:30 in the morning, the daily work of the headquarters started. In the morning there was an important meeting where some decisions were taken for the next year of the army. In the morning I was preparing to go there. At that time CGS Lieutenant General Sinha came to me and said, we have some mortars, which are not used by the army. Its warehousing and maintenance is difficult for us. BDR uses these. It will benefit us if they take them.

He further said that when I spoke to BDR DG General Shakeel, he agreed to take them. I believe he knew nothing about this rebellion till then. After that I went for another CGS meeting. The meeting started at 9 o'clock. We all got busy there. At 9:30 my Principal Secretary Col. Feroze entered the room and told me that there was a commotion in the pilkhana. You need guidance. After some time I tried to talk to the former prime minister. But their phone is busy.

Moin U Ahmed said, military intelligence then informed me about the situation. Realizing the gravity of the situation, I then ordered another brigade to prepare for the operation without anyone's instructions to save time. They immediately began taking action named Operation Restore Order. PSO FD General Mobin was informed about this.

He further said that DG BDRK was available on phone at 9:47. He told me that during the Durbar two armed soldiers entered and one stood behind me. Then the sound of gunshots came from outside. Immediately the soldiers inside left the court hall. It all seems to be planned and going according to plan. He said, I have sent sector commanders and battalion commanders to bring them back. Then I told him about the operation.

Moin U Ahmed said, I was able to contact the former prime minister on the phone at 9:54. Meanwhile, he got a lot of information about the BDR rebellion. When I told him about the operation, he wanted to know how long it will take to build this brigade? I asked for his permission to send the brigade to Pilkhana on time and he gave permission. In this case, although it took a long time, 46 Brigade started the journey within 1 hour. Under the leadership of the brigade commander, 10 officers and 655 soldiers started the journey.

He said, meanwhile, the rebels deployed rocket launchers, mortars and other weapons to resist the attack in front of the BDR gates. As the first vehicle of 46 Brigade approached the main gate at 11:00 a.m., the insurgents targeted a pickup and launched a rocket attack. The driver died on the spot. According to Lt. Col. Shams, many officers including DG, DDG, Colonel Anis, Colonel Kaiser were shot dead between 10:30 and 11:00. Our team arrives after 11 am.

He criticized that the live media coverage during the incident played a negative role in spreading the BDR rebellion.

The former army chief said that Captain Shafiq reached Pilkhana with 355 RAB members under his leadership before 10 o'clock. At that time, he asked his superior officer for permission to enter the Pilkhana, but he did not get it. Had he been allowed, the situation might have been easier to deal with and not so much damage done.

He said that around 11:45 PSO AfD said that the government is trying to solve this problem politically. The rebels have demanded that the army must withdraw from the area before any talks are held. If there is no agreement with them then military operations will be conducted. He called me at 12 noon and asked me to urgently meet the former Prime Minister at Yamuna. Around 1 pm former Defense Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Whip Mirza Azam went to Pilkhana for discussion.

He also said that the Chief of the Air Force and Navy arrived there an hour after I went to Yamuna. That means they have been asked to call me later. After a long time when they actually got there we were informed that former Defense Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Whip Mirza Azam were coming to Yamuna with a group of rebels and they demanded amnesty. The former prime minister said, if the rebels have something to say, we should tell them. Then I told him, many have been killed. None of their demands will be accepted. You tell them first, officer killings have to stop right now. Second, all those detained must be released immediately. Thirdly, rebels with arms must surrender and fourthly, amnesty is out of the question.

14 rebels arrived at Yamuna at 3:48 PM led by DAD Touhid. They are kept in a big room. I then asked my ADC Junaid to fetch the leader of the rebels. When I asked DAD Tauhid about the situation when he came, he said, “Insurgents locked me in a room at 9 am.” As soon as the lock was unlocked, I was brought in. I don't know anything.

Moin U Ahmed said this is completely false. Then I told him, you don't know, the rest of the people here know. Ask them and let us know.

Moin U Ahmed demanded a fair investigation of the incident in the video. He also said that the book written by him on Bidiya rebellion will be published very soon.

RAR/Sa.A