Bangladesh: More facts on February Massacre revealed

by Amanur Rashid
March 6, 2009

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/198/bangladesh-more-facts-on-february-massacre

On the basis of collecting telephonic conversation records of some of the suspects of the February Massacre, which took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh during February 25 and 26, investigators said the February massacre at BDR Pilkhana headquarters might have been planned at least two months back.

They said so far they have collected the last two months' phone records of the suspects.

"Most likely the networking between them had begun much before that. Further investigation will shed light on that," said a high official.

The information obtained in interrogations of the arrested mutineers bears out what has been gleaned from analysis of the phone records, he added. As of Thursday, the investigators have gathered that at least 100 people were involved in the vicious killings of scores of army officials deputed to BDR. "However, this number [of mutineers] could shoot up to 1,000 in the end."

Another investigator the maximum participation was from Rifles Security Unit, intelligence wing of BDR, a certain battalion and Regimental Police [RP] of the paramilitary force.

He said the suspects being grilled have disclosed that plotters who include outsiders had been motivating the border guards against their commanding officers. Particularly, the ones who joined the service around two to three years ago had been more involved.

"Some of the mutineers were told that only a few officers would be killed while others were told that none would be killed. The officers would be taken hostage only to be released after the demands are met," the investigator continued. But as the revolt began, things went beyond their control and an orgy of killings took place.

Investigators said they believe most of the border guards inside the Pilkhana compound knew that something was going to happen.

They said they would not face any major difficulty detecting the BDR troops now that they have access to a database containing details of the 67,000-force.

"Initially, there was no reliable source of information as the mutineers have burnt or destroyed most of the documents at the headquarters," said an investigator.

A member of the Criminal Investigation Department [CID] tasked with investigation of the bloodbath told reporters, they are sure the runaway rebels have taken with them small arms and grenades.

The efforts are on to know the number of missing firearms and grenades.

Asked about reports that some mutineers have managed to flee the country by air and through Comilla border, the investigators said they too have such information, but could not yet confirm if it is correct.

The law enforcement agencies and security forces will bring back the suspected rebels to the capital immediately after capture in the countrywide drive styled 'Operation Rebel Hunt'.

They have a helicopter all ready and waiting to fly the rebels back in the city.

Sources in the Rapid Action Battalion [RAB] said over 200 suspected mutineers have already been held in custody. Besides, they said, they have identified all 14 Bangladesh Riffles personnel who participated in negotiations with the government.

Of the 14, five are deputy assistant directors [DAD], two havilders, two nayeks, one lance nayek and four soldiers. The sources, however, declined to divulge the names that are yet to be known like DAD Syed Touhidul Alam's.

Intelligence agencies and committees formed to probe the carnage are working in coordination to help CID come up with a strong charge sheet after investigation.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka court granted a petition for permission to defuse 17 grenades seized from BDR headquarters. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate AKM Enamul Haque passed the order following a prayer submitted by CID ASP Abdul Kahar Akand, also investigation officer [IO] of the case filed with Lalbagh Police Station in connection with the mass killings at Pilkhana.

Meanwhile, investigators are also checking the fact as to why names and designations of the delegation of mutineers, who met the Prime Minister on February 25, 2009 were not recorded. It is learnt from a reliable source that, a number of extremely influential figures in the government verbally instructed the security personnel at Prime Minister's residence [where she met the mutineers] of not registering the names of the 14-member delegation.

Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation Department officer, Abdul Kahhar Akhand, who is the IO of this extremely important case hinted to a television channel that the investigation report shall be submitted within next few days.

"We are almost done with the collection of evidence. We are quizzing people arrested at various places," Akhand said.

Akhand said they were trying to find out if any other group in addition to the BDR members was tied to the incident.

He said it would take time to get more details about the incident.

It is learnt from CID sources that, since his appointment as the Investigation Officer of the case, Kahhar Akhand is constantly consulting with high-ups in the government on the progress and strategy of the investigation.

It may be mentioned here that, Kahhar Akhand is known in police service as a Awami League loyalist who joined the service in 1973.

There had been confusions on the credibility and capability of Abdul Kahhar Akhand in investigating this case. Earlier, he was criticized by the Higher Judiciary in connection to jail murder case, for lack of experience and negligence.

Meanwhile, an army team was digging deep for the position of the BDR personnel as part of its investigation.

While the investigation is continuing, a section of Bangladeshi press are trying to re-begin anti-army campaign in the name of either sensionalizing the issue of reported BDR men or by bringing other related issues, with the ulterior motive of creating division inside the armed forces.

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