Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid tribute to the BDR martyrs at the Banani Military Graveyard in Dhaka on Wednesday, marking National Martyred Army Day and reaffirming the state’s recognition of the army officers killed in the 2009 BDR carnage.
Tarique Rahman placed a wreath at the graves of the martyred officers at 10:12 am, observing the official programme commemorating those who were killed during the mutiny at the then Bangladesh Rifles headquarters in Pilkhana on February 25–26, 2009. The observance highlighted the government’s policy stance on preserving institutional discipline, national security and respect for the armed forces.
In a statement issued on the occasion, the Prime Minister’s Office said, “The government remains firmly committed to upholding discipline within the armed forces and ensuring justice for the martyrs of the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, whose sacrifice strengthened the nation’s resolve to protect constitutional order and sovereignty.”
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, a one-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the fallen officers. Fateha and Doa were offered seeking forgiveness, divine blessings and eternal peace for the departed souls. Prayers were also made for continued peace, stability and welfare of Bangladesh and its people.
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President Mohammed Shahabuddin separately paid tribute at around 10:00am at the same venue, according to the President’s Office. After placing a wreath, he stood in silence to honour the martyrs. Special prayers were later offered for the departed officers and for national well-being.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and the chiefs of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force were present during the ceremony, reflecting coordinated state participation at the highest levels of political and security leadership.
The government on February 23, 2025, formally declared February 25 as National Martyred Army Day to honour the sacrifices of army officers killed in the Pilkhana tragedy. A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed during the carnage at the Pilkhana headquarters of the then Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh) in 2009.
Following the 2009 BDR carnage, the government undertook significant legal and institutional measures. The mutiny trials were conducted under both criminal and military laws, resulting in convictions and sentences delivered by the courts. The Bangladesh Rifles was subsequently restructured and renamed Border Guard Bangladesh under the Border Guard Bangladesh Act, 2010, introducing administrative, disciplinary and command reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, operational accountability and national border security management. The policy overhaul was presented as a decisive step to restore institutional stability and reinforce state authority.
The annual observance at Banani Military Graveyard in Dhaka remains a key state event, reinforcing the government’s institutional commitment to the armed forces, rule of law and national stability.
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