The 2001 Boraibari massacre: When Bangladeshi troops brutally tortured and killed Indian jawans, mutilated their bodies

[Black_cats]

The 2001 Boraibari massacre: When Bangladeshi troops brutally tortured and killed Indian jawans, mutilated their bodies​

• Dibakar Dutta | 18 April, 2022

BSF jawans brutalised and killed by Bangladesh Rifles, images via India Today

On the fateful day of April 18, 2001, about 16 jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) were brutally killed by the troops of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and a frenzied mob of locals. The incident took place in the Boraibari village in Kurigram district in the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh.

The Indian jawans were tortured, and their bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. The body of one of the BSF officers was hung from a pole, tied with ropes and ferried around like a dead animal. Some of them were shot through their eyes.

When the bodies of the BSF jawans were handed over to the Indian authorities, they showed visible signs of mutilation and torture. Most of them were shot dead at point-blank range.

The adventurism of Bangladesh Rifles in Indian territory​

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km long border, which was marked by the presence of large enclaves (Chitmohols) and counter enclaves until the historic Land Boundary Agreement of 2015.

Till then, India was in possession of 71 Bangladeshi enclaves while Bangladesh was in possession of 102 Indian enclaves. The two sides had disputes over the territorial rights of some of the enclaves and stretches of land alongside the border.

Bangladesh had staked its claim on the Indian village of Pyrdiwah (also called Padua), which is located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. While border skirmishes between the BSF and BDR (now Border Guards Bangladesh) were not a new phenomenon, things spiralled out of control on April 15, 2001.

About 1000 troops of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles intruded into the Indian territory in the hopes of capturing Pyrdiwah. Although the act of aggression took the Indian Border Security Forces by surprise, the contingent of 31 jawans posted at the site held their ground.

In a day’s time, three additional companies (more than 300 BSF personnel) were deployed in Pyrdiwah. Despite a flag meeting, the Bangladeshi troops refused to recede and demanded that the BSF show proof that the village belonged to India.

When the Indian side showed them the papers, the BDR escalated their demands and sought original documents. All the while, the Bangladesh Rifles made it clear that were carrying out orders from Dhaka.

Screengrab of the magazine excerpt of India Today

While speaking to The New Age about the Bangladeshi adventurism in Pyrdiwah, the then BDR Director-General Falzlur Rahman had said, “During the liberation war in 1971 we had a training camp in Padua in Sylhet which Indian forces occupied until 2001.”

He had claimed, “BSF was constructing a road linkage between their Padua camp in our land and another camp of theirs 10 kilometres away during 2001, through the no man’s land and lands in our possession. I started sending ‘situation reports’ to the home ministry, but did not get any response.”

“I went through the laws and found that BDR can construct temporary operational camps in the sovereign lands of the country. Having no response from the government, our soldiers went there to acquire possession of the land by setting up three temporary camps to cordon BSF’s Padua camp on April 15 and 16 of 2001,” Rahman had informed.

Indian response and the ‘unplanned’ Boraibari siege​

“Hundreds of people living in villages around the Meghalaya-Assam-Bangladesh trijunction, who had left their homes following the clashes, are yet to return. Meghalaya Chief Minister Mowlong said that the State shared a long border with Bangladesh and its people often suffered owing to disturbances on the border. An end to this problem was essential, he said. The Meghalaya government is providing food and relief materials to villagers who had to leave their homes because of the border disturbances,” the Frontline had reported.

Patrolling was increased in the immediate aftermath of the Bangladeshi troops’ intrusion into the Indian territory. Gurbachan Jagat, who was the then Director-General of BSF, had issued an alert and said, “If they could suddenly get belligerent in Pyrdiwah, there was no way of ruling out similar incidents elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force was chalking out plans to retaliate and capture a post located, deep within the Bangladeshi territory in Boraibari. A contingent of 50-60 BSF personnel, belonging to the 118 Battalion, entered the Boraibari village on April 18, 2001. They were led by Deputy Commandant BR Mondol.

India Today had reported that the choice of the post was wrong, given that Boraibari was not an ‘adverse possession’. Although the village was inhabited primarily by Indians, the Borabari residents were said to be antagonistic to India over alleged civilian killings.

“The BSF’s relationship with local residents is poor as they come in the way of smuggling, a prime source of livelihood for villagers on both sides of the border. Besides, most families in that area are part of a single extended family, separated by a line on the map which is difficult to define. To them, those guarding the ‘border’ are keeping families apart. The Indian side is certainly more vigilant in this matter and in the last five years almost a hundred villagers have died in BDR-BSF conflicts,” wrote Afsan Chowdhury in Himalmag.


Injured Bangladeshi soldier, image via BBC
The village had no clear demarcations unlike Pyrdiwah and lay next to the Assam border, separated by only a fence. Whether 118 Battalion Deputy Commandant BR Mondal was taking orders from the Ministry or acting on his own still remains unclear.

In the words of Gurbachan Jagat, “I asked for intensive patrolling. Crossing the fence was not part of the brief.” Reportedly, Mondol split the BSF contingent into 3 groups and led only one of them. His contingent had a total of 16 men. The 118 Batallion did not anticipate the chain of events that followed.

“Mondol had neither the numerical strength nor the firepower or the communication back-up that is crucial to counter-attacks. Mondol and the party walked through a gate along the fence and took a nullah to reach Boraibari. They were totally unprepared for what followed,” read a report in India Today.

The brutal killings of Indian jawans​

The Indian jawans were discovered by the residents of Boraibari village. Announcements were made on loudspeakers by the local mosque that the villagers were in danger at the hands of the Indian forces.

The mosque authorities had incited the locals to gather, which in no time surrounded the BSF personnel. Aided by Bangladesh Rifles, the locals snatched away the wireless sets and weapons from the jawans.

According to BSF Director-General Gurbachan Jagat, the BSF personnel could have fired in self-defence but they are trained to not attack civilians. It is believed that Mondol felt that he could handle the situation, given that he was a Bengali.

India Today had reported, “But the rule changes if there is a life-endangering situation like the one in which the BSF men found themselves. Why did the party not try and send out a wireless message to warn their seniors? “Mondol probably felt that being a Bengali, he could handle it himself,” says a BSF officer.”



BSF jawans martyred in Boraibari massacre, image via Twitter/LestWeForgetIndia

According to a report in the Frontline, the BSF opened fire on a BDR camp while the latter gave the impression that none was stationed at the camp. “But they struck when the BSF moved closer to the camp. With the help of quick reinforcements from nearby border posts and the support of the people of the village, the BDR launched a full-scale counterattack.”, it said.

“Heavy exchange of fire continued for more than two days, forcing nearly 10,000 people to flee their homes. The bodies of BSF men were lying in the paddy fields for more than two days as the fight continued. The people recovered several bodies from the fields and handed them over to the BDR later. Two injured BSF men were flown to Dhaka by helicopter for treatment,” the report added.

The Indian jawans were brutalised and tortured in an inhumane manner and their bodies were mutilated and paraded like animals. Following the diplomatic intervention, Bangladesh Rifles withdrew from Pyrdiwah village on April 19, 2001, and handed over the bodies of martyred BSF Jawans on April 20 of that year.

India’s response to the Boraibari massacre​

In the aftermath of the Boraibari massacre, the Indian government’s angst was directed toward the Bangladesh Rifles instead of the Sheikh Hasina government. The then Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh had remarked, ”It is now up to the government of Bangladesh to act against the perpetrators of these crimes and restore confidence and trust.”

Given that the Hasina government had been historically friendly to India and general elections in Bangladesh were near, New Delhi was cautious about its criticism of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

This, however, gave an opportunity for Sheikh Hasina to downplay the Borabari massacre and claim that the Bangladesh Rifles killed the Indian troops in self-defence. While she avoided tendering an apology over the brutal killing of Indian jawans, she had claimed to conduct an independent probe into the matter.

“It is well within our rights to review the relationship (between the two countries) if Bangladesh does not punish the perpetrators within a reasonable time,” Minister for State ID Swami had said.

Former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, G. Parthasarthy, had even hinted at the Pakistani hand in the matter. “It could be Pakistan’s plan to open another front on India’s eastern sector in order to divert Indian troops from Kashmir where the passes will be opening shortly,” he told India Today.

The Indian government paid homage to the martyred BSF jawans and announced ₹10,000 to every family affected by the intrusion of Bangladesh Rifles in Pyrdiwah, ₹2 lakh for the reconstruction of the village church and school. At the same time, the government also announced new 15 TV sets for BSF posts on the border with Bangladesh.

Boraibari: When Bangladesh Rifles killed BSF jawans with impunity in 2001

Given that the Hasina government had been historically friendly to India and general elections in Bangladesh were near, New Delhi was cautious about its criticism of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. | OpIndia News

www.opindia.com

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Good job by BDR.

 

[firohot4321]

The 2001 Boraibari massacre: When Bangladeshi troops brutally tortured and killed Indian jawans, mutilated their bodies​

• Dibakar Dutta | 18 April, 2022

BSF jawans brutalised and killed by Bangladesh Rifles, images via India Today

On the fateful day of April 18, 2001, about 16 jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) were brutally killed by the troops of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and a frenzied mob of locals. The incident took place in the Boraibari village in Kurigram district in the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh.

The Indian jawans were tortured, and their bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. The body of one of the BSF officers was hung from a pole, tied with ropes and ferried around like a dead animal. Some of them were shot through their eyes.

When the bodies of the BSF jawans were handed over to the Indian authorities, they showed visible signs of mutilation and torture. Most of them were shot dead at point-blank range.

The adventurism of Bangladesh Rifles in Indian territory​

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km long border, which was marked by the presence of large enclaves (Chitmohols) and counter enclaves until the historic Land Boundary Agreement of 2015.

Till then, India was in possession of 71 Bangladeshi enclaves while Bangladesh was in possession of 102 Indian enclaves. The two sides had disputes over the territorial rights of some of the enclaves and stretches of land alongside the border.

Bangladesh had staked its claim on the Indian village of Pyrdiwah (also called Padua), which is located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. While border skirmishes between the BSF and BDR (now Border Guards Bangladesh) were not a new phenomenon, things spiralled out of control on April 15, 2001.

About 1000 troops of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles intruded into the Indian territory in the hopes of capturing Pyrdiwah. Although the act of aggression took the Indian Border Security Forces by surprise, the contingent of 31 jawans posted at the site held their ground.

In a day’s time, three additional companies (more than 300 BSF personnel) were deployed in Pyrdiwah. Despite a flag meeting, the Bangladeshi troops refused to recede and demanded that the BSF show proof that the village belonged to India.

When the Indian side showed them the papers, the BDR escalated their demands and sought original documents. All the while, the Bangladesh Rifles made it clear that were carrying out orders from Dhaka.

Screengrab of the magazine excerpt of India Today

While speaking to The New Age about the Bangladeshi adventurism in Pyrdiwah, the then BDR Director-General Falzlur Rahman had said, “During the liberation war in 1971 we had a training camp in Padua in Sylhet which Indian forces occupied until 2001.”

He had claimed, “BSF was constructing a road linkage between their Padua camp in our land and another camp of theirs 10 kilometres away during 2001, through the no man’s land and lands in our possession. I started sending ‘situation reports’ to the home ministry, but did not get any response.”

“I went through the laws and found that BDR can construct temporary operational camps in the sovereign lands of the country. Having no response from the government, our soldiers went there to acquire possession of the land by setting up three temporary camps to cordon BSF’s Padua camp on April 15 and 16 of 2001,” Rahman had informed.

Indian response and the ‘unplanned’ Boraibari siege​

“Hundreds of people living in villages around the Meghalaya-Assam-Bangladesh trijunction, who had left their homes following the clashes, are yet to return. Meghalaya Chief Minister Mowlong said that the State shared a long border with Bangladesh and its people often suffered owing to disturbances on the border. An end to this problem was essential, he said. The Meghalaya government is providing food and relief materials to villagers who had to leave their homes because of the border disturbances,” the Frontline had reported.

Patrolling was increased in the immediate aftermath of the Bangladeshi troops’ intrusion into the Indian territory. Gurbachan Jagat, who was the then Director-General of BSF, had issued an alert and said, “If they could suddenly get belligerent in Pyrdiwah, there was no way of ruling out similar incidents elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force was chalking out plans to retaliate and capture a post located, deep within the Bangladeshi territory in Boraibari. A contingent of 50-60 BSF personnel, belonging to the 118 Battalion, entered the Boraibari village on April 18, 2001. They were led by Deputy Commandant BR Mondol.

India Today had reported that the choice of the post was wrong, given that Boraibari was not an ‘adverse possession’. Although the village was inhabited primarily by Indians, the Borabari residents were said to be antagonistic to India over alleged civilian killings.

“The BSF’s relationship with local residents is poor as they come in the way of smuggling, a prime source of livelihood for villagers on both sides of the border. Besides, most families in that area are part of a single extended family, separated by a line on the map which is difficult to define. To them, those guarding the ‘border’ are keeping families apart. The Indian side is certainly more vigilant in this matter and in the last five years almost a hundred villagers have died in BDR-BSF conflicts,” wrote Afsan Chowdhury in Himalmag.


Injured Bangladeshi soldier, image via BBC
The village had no clear demarcations unlike Pyrdiwah and lay next to the Assam border, separated by only a fence. Whether 118 Battalion Deputy Commandant BR Mondal was taking orders from the Ministry or acting on his own still remains unclear.

In the words of Gurbachan Jagat, “I asked for intensive patrolling. Crossing the fence was not part of the brief.” Reportedly, Mondol split the BSF contingent into 3 groups and led only one of them. His contingent had a total of 16 men. The 118 Batallion did not anticipate the chain of events that followed.

“Mondol had neither the numerical strength nor the firepower or the communication back-up that is crucial to counter-attacks. Mondol and the party walked through a gate along the fence and took a nullah to reach Boraibari. They were totally unprepared for what followed,” read a report in India Today.

The brutal killings of Indian jawans​

The Indian jawans were discovered by the residents of Boraibari village. Announcements were made on loudspeakers by the local mosque that the villagers were in danger at the hands of the Indian forces.

The mosque authorities had incited the locals to gather, which in no time surrounded the BSF personnel. Aided by Bangladesh Rifles, the locals snatched away the wireless sets and weapons from the jawans.

According to BSF Director-General Gurbachan Jagat, the BSF personnel could have fired in self-defence but they are trained to not attack civilians. It is believed that Mondol felt that he could handle the situation, given that he was a Bengali.

India Today had reported, “But the rule changes if there is a life-endangering situation like the one in which the BSF men found themselves. Why did the party not try and send out a wireless message to warn their seniors? “Mondol probably felt that being a Bengali, he could handle it himself,” says a BSF officer.”



BSF jawans martyred in Boraibari massacre, image via Twitter/LestWeForgetIndia

According to a report in the Frontline, the BSF opened fire on a BDR camp while the latter gave the impression that none was stationed at the camp. “But they struck when the BSF moved closer to the camp. With the help of quick reinforcements from nearby border posts and the support of the people of the village, the BDR launched a full-scale counterattack.”, it said.

“Heavy exchange of fire continued for more than two days, forcing nearly 10,000 people to flee their homes. The bodies of BSF men were lying in the paddy fields for more than two days as the fight continued. The people recovered several bodies from the fields and handed them over to the BDR later. Two injured BSF men were flown to Dhaka by helicopter for treatment,” the report added.

The Indian jawans were brutalised and tortured in an inhumane manner and their bodies were mutilated and paraded like animals. Following the diplomatic intervention, Bangladesh Rifles withdrew from Pyrdiwah village on April 19, 2001, and handed over the bodies of martyred BSF Jawans on April 20 of that year.

India’s response to the Boraibari massacre​

In the aftermath of the Boraibari massacre, the Indian government’s angst was directed toward the Bangladesh Rifles instead of the Sheikh Hasina government. The then Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh had remarked, ”It is now up to the government of Bangladesh to act against the perpetrators of these crimes and restore confidence and trust.”

Given that the Hasina government had been historically friendly to India and general elections in Bangladesh were near, New Delhi was cautious about its criticism of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

This, however, gave an opportunity for Sheikh Hasina to downplay the Borabari massacre and claim that the Bangladesh Rifles killed the Indian troops in self-defence. While she avoided tendering an apology over the brutal killing of Indian jawans, she had claimed to conduct an independent probe into the matter.

“It is well within our rights to review the relationship (between the two countries) if Bangladesh does not punish the perpetrators within a reasonable time,” Minister for State ID Swami had said.

Former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, G. Parthasarthy, had even hinted at the Pakistani hand in the matter. “It could be Pakistan’s plan to open another front on India’s eastern sector in order to divert Indian troops from Kashmir where the passes will be opening shortly,” he told India Today.

The Indian government paid homage to the martyred BSF jawans and announced ₹10,000 to every family affected by the intrusion of Bangladesh Rifles in Pyrdiwah, ₹2 lakh for the reconstruction of the village church and school. At the same time, the government also announced new 15 TV sets for BSF posts on the border with Bangladesh.

Boraibari: When Bangladesh Rifles killed BSF jawans with impunity in 2001

Given that the Hasina government had been historically friendly to India and general elections in Bangladesh were near, New Delhi was cautious about its criticism of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. | OpIndia News

www.opindia.com

Former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, G. Parthasarthy, had even hinted at the Pakistani hand in the matter. “It could be Pakistan’s plan to open another front on India’s eastern sector in order to divert Indian troops from Kashmir where the passes will be opening shortly,” he told India Today.

They even suspect Pakistan behind their women pregnancies

 

[AmiEktaKharapChele]

 

[lastofthepatriots]

Did Hasina apologize for this yet?

 

[bluesky]

Did Hasina apologize for this yet?

No, she did not apologize but probably she expressed her regret.

But, when she came back to power again she conspired to kill 56 military officers in Pilkhana working with the BDR. It is military officers who killed her father and family. It was military officers who created problem with her mentor India by fighting and killing IA troops.

So, she eliminated many of them and injected fear among the officers not to repeat the same.

 

[Black_cats]

Did Hasina apologize for this yet?

I don’t think she apologized but the land captured by BGB handed over to India if I am not mistaken. Someone can correct me I am wrong. This is an article from 2001 after the incident.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina uses goodwill with India to downplay massacre of BSF troops

In many ways, Sheikh Hasina is walking a tightrope, using the goodwill with India to downplay the incident and at the same time making an effort to belie accusations of a sellout.

www.indiatoday.in

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina uses goodwill with India to downplay massacre of BSF troops​

In many ways, Sheikh Hasina is walking a tightrope, using the goodwill with India to downplay the incident and at the same time making an effort to belie accusations of a sellout.​

Almas ZakiuddinMay 7, 2001 ISSUE DATE: May 7, 2001UPDATED: November 1, 2012 13:33 IST

Sheikh Hasina
The Bangladeshi side of the story has taken time to emerge, and is, to a great extent, influenced not only by the passionate and angry reaction on the Indian side, but also by the diplomatic offensive mounted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She has been quick to defuse the tension, but has held back from offering an apology. In many ways, she is walking a tightrope, using the goodwill with India to downplay the incident and at the same time making an effort to belie accusations of a sellout.

With parliamentary elections due this year, the retreat from Pyrdiwah, or Padua as Bangladesh calls it, was considered a let down. The External Affairs Ministry was quick to deny any such setback. "We will continue to negotiate on Padua through diplomatic channels and at flag meetings," said Foreign Secretary Syed Muazzam Ali. But was the episode over? "We can't do magic. Millions of people in the border areas need to feel safe again. It will take time," he said.

It will also take time to heal the sense of resentment that Bangladeshis in general feel about the manner in which the Indian Government and the media have been quick to blame atrocities on the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).

Hasina's statement that in the Boraibari encounter the BDR acted in self defence after it was attacked by the BSF, a fact that is being borne out in India now, has added to the feeling of anger. And Banglades his, though horrified by pictures of an Indian soldier's body hung on a pole, are satisfied by the official explanation that the corpses of BSF soldiers were not mutilated by the BDR but were a result of decomposition.

Speculation that the clash has been motivated by either the Pakistani ISI or the Indian RAW has been touted in some circles but has not gained credence. Nor has the argument that slogans supporting Opposition leader Khaleda Zia were found conveniently placed along side the dead Indians in Boraibari.

"If that indeed were the case, then the Indians themselves planted it," says a garment factory owner in Dhaka. "Why would Zia's followers or the ISI leave a calling card?" he asks. However, internal strife, including four serious bomb explosions that have killed 33 and injured nearly 200 people in the past two years have raised suspicions of the involvement of "vested" quarters.

Hasina's ruling Awami League has been quick to blame fundamentalist groups, particularly after the most recent blast on April 14 in Dhaka's Ramna Park during the Bengali New Year celebration which killed nine and injured 20.

OPPORTUNITY STRIKES: Khaleda Zia has accused Sheikh Hasina of being weak and subservient to India

The rise of the right wing is worrying the Awami League, particularly because the Bangladesh National Party headed by Zia has recently forged what could be a strong electoral alliance with them.

The Jamaat-i-Islami, the strongest among the right wing parties, has a strong grass roots presence, drawing its strength from madarsas across the country and funds from foreign sources. The ruling party's efforts to whip up anger against the Jamaat-i-Islami and other rightist parties have not made much headway.

Fortunately for Hasina, despite the internal strife, economic growth has not flagged. According to the ADB, the economy grew at 5.7 per cent this year and is predicted to grow by 6 per cent next year.Bumpercropsin1999 and 2000 have boosted the agriculture sector while the exports, manufacturing and revenue sectors have also done well.

Hasina's tactic has been to bait Zia on the subject of elections, but to remain unfazed by the strikes and shutdowns. Zia, on the other hand, has remained stubbornly committed to calling strikes. In the process, she has lost much of the public support she once enjoyed.

Although Zia's rhetoric against Hasina's diplomatic moves to defuse tensions with India have not been echoed yet, whether it will be come an issue in the forthcoming polls depends to a great extent on future events.

If the border situation flares up again, and if Bangladeshi lives come under threat or are lost, the sentiment could change. Zia's description of Hasina as being "subservient" to India could be taken far more seriously then. Signs that India may be massing troops on the border are cause for concern.

No one wants to tangle with India. But at the same time, pride in being Bangladeshi rides very high. The assistance given by India in1971will never be for gotten. But Bangladeshis would like their gratitude to be a matter of choice, not of compulsion.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina uses goodwill with India to downplay massacre of BSF troops

In many ways, Sheikh Hasina is walking a tightrope, using the goodwill with India to downplay the incident and at the same time making an effort to belie accusations of a sellout.

www.indiatoday.in

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

No, she did not apologize but probably she expressed her regret.

But, when she came back to power again she conspired to kill 56 military officers in Pilkhana working with the BDR. It is military officers who killed her father and family. It was military officers who created problem with her mentor India by fighting and killing IA troops.

So, she eliminated many of them and injected fear among the officers not to repeat the same.

That was a sad incident. I remember seeing pics of those officers and families. May Allah Pak bless them with high status in Jannah Ameen.
It reminded me of similar incident from 71 by the same EPR aka BDR.

 

[EasyNow]

No, she did not apologize but probably she expressed her regret.

But, when she came back to power again she conspired to kill 56 military officers in Pilkhana working with the BDR. It is military officers who killed her father and family. It was military officers who created problem with her mentor India by fighting and killing IA troops.

So, she eliminated many of them and injected fear among the officers not to repeat the same.

Stop spreading ridiculous gossip as fact on an international forum.

In what world does a PM sanction a mutiny to defeat army officers in BDR ranks and then sentence the same mutineers to death en masse? Hundreds of people are still in prison for this incident.

The events of the time are very well documented, there are hundreds of witness statements if you can be bothered to search for facts. It was a mutiny pure and simple, fanned by years of resentment within BDR.

Hasina resisted pressure from the army to steamroll pilkhana and annihilate the entire BDR cadre and families - saving BD from an unprecedented disaster.

She then managed to assuage the army by punishing the culprits in an exemplary manner. Is the army stupid to allow the architect of the mutiny a free pass like this?

Damningly, Hasina only came into power a month earlier. The army intrusion into BDR hierarchy was started long before her administration. The rebellion was brewing for years, not just in 1 month of AL rule.

 

[bluesky]

Stop spreading ridiculous gossip as fact on an international forum.

In what world does a PM sanction a mutiny to defeat army officers in BDR ranks and then sentence the same mutineers to death en masse? Hundreds of people are still in prison for this incident.

The events of the time are very well documented, there are hundreds of witness statements if you can be bothered to search for facts. It was a mutiny pure and simple, fanned by years of resentment within BDR.

Hasina resisted pressure from the army to steamroll pilkhana and annihilate the entire BDR cadre and families - saving BD from an unprecedented disaster.

She then managed to assuage the army by punishing the culprits in an exemplary manner. Is the army stupid to allow the architect of the mutiny a free pass like this?

Damningly, Hasina only came into power a month earlier. The army intrusion into BDR hierarchy was started long before her administration. The rebellion was brewing for years, not just in 1 month of AL rule.

Don’t worry about this international forum when it is the truth someone says. Now, apart from killing the BA officers in Pilkhana, Hasina Bibi also conspired to kill her own people in a grenade attack. This was needed to raise her dwindling popularity.

Note that Hasina changed the venue of the meeting. How it is possible for others to send killers in such a short time? The bldg. from where the grenades were thrown was just behind the truck she was standing.

How about another one? She conspired with India to send 10 trucks full of weapons to Chittagong Port. Then came an off-duty police officers to locate them. The purpose was to play tricks with the then ruling BNP govt,

Why do you want people to hide the truths. All other gifts know about this Namrudi Begum.

 

[EasyNow]

Don’t worry about this international forum when it is the truth someone says. Now, apart from killing the BA officers in Pilkhana, Hasina Bibi also conspired to kill her own people in a grenade attack. This was needed to raise her dwindling popularity.

Note that Hasina changed the venue of the meeting. How it is possible for others to send killers in such a short time? The bldg. from where the grenades were thrown was just behind the truck she was standing.

How about another one? She conspired with India to send 10 trucks full of weapons to Chittagong Port. Then came an off-duty police officers to locate them. The purpose was to play tricks with the then ruling BNP govt,

Why do you want people to hide the truths. All other gifts know about this Namrudi Begum.

Oh I see that you are complete conspiracy theorist. You will find a way to make reality fit your beliefs in any situation.

There's no point arguing with someone who refuses to use logic.

 

[bluesky]

Oh I see that you are complete conspiracy theorist. You will find a way to make reality fit your beliefs in any situation.

There's no point arguing with someone who refuses to use logic.

Who asks you to believe me? Better you go through the sequences of each events that took place instead of talking "Conspiracy Theory".

Now, Hasina BIbi is not willing to just relinquish the power of the country because she will be sued for all three criminal acts when she or her BAL party is out of power.

I believe, she will then seek your advice how to cope with the Court. Please help her, but don't expect any results. She will be hanged.

 

[PradoTLC]

The 2001 Boraibari massacre: When Bangladeshi troops brutally tortured and killed Indian jawans, mutilated their bodies​

• Dibakar Dutta | 18 April, 2022

BSF jawans brutalised and killed by Bangladesh Rifles, images via India Today

On the fateful day of April 18, 2001, about 16 jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) were brutally killed by the troops of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and a frenzied mob of locals. The incident took place in the Boraibari village in Kurigram district in the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh.

The Indian jawans were tortured, and their bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. The body of one of the BSF officers was hung from a pole, tied with ropes and ferried around like a dead animal. Some of them were shot through their eyes.

When the bodies of the BSF jawans were handed over to the Indian authorities, they showed visible signs of mutilation and torture. Most of them were shot dead at point-blank range.

The adventurism of Bangladesh Rifles in Indian territory​

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km long border, which was marked by the presence of large enclaves (Chitmohols) and counter enclaves until the historic Land Boundary Agreement of 2015.

Till then, India was in possession of 71 Bangladeshi enclaves while Bangladesh was in possession of 102 Indian enclaves. The two sides had disputes over the territorial rights of some of the enclaves and stretches of land alongside the border.

Bangladesh had staked its claim on the Indian village of Pyrdiwah (also called Padua), which is located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. While border skirmishes between the BSF and BDR (now Border Guards Bangladesh) were not a new phenomenon, things spiralled out of control on April 15, 2001.

About 1000 troops of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles intruded into the Indian territory in the hopes of capturing Pyrdiwah. Although the act of aggression took the Indian Border Security Forces by surprise, the contingent of 31 jawans posted at the site held their ground.

In a day’s time, three additional companies (more than 300 BSF personnel) were deployed in Pyrdiwah. Despite a flag meeting, the Bangladeshi troops refused to recede and demanded that the BSF show proof that the village belonged to India.

When the Indian side showed them the papers, the BDR escalated their demands and sought original documents. All the while, the Bangladesh Rifles made it clear that were carrying out orders from Dhaka.

Screengrab of the magazine excerpt of India Today

While speaking to The New Age about the Bangladeshi adventurism in Pyrdiwah, the then BDR Director-General Falzlur Rahman had said, “During the liberation war in 1971 we had a training camp in Padua in Sylhet which Indian forces occupied until 2001.”

He had claimed, “BSF was constructing a road linkage between their Padua camp in our land and another camp of theirs 10 kilometres away during 2001, through the no man’s land and lands in our possession. I started sending ‘situation reports’ to the home ministry, but did not get any response.”

“I went through the laws and found that BDR can construct temporary operational camps in the sovereign lands of the country. Having no response from the government, our soldiers went there to acquire possession of the land by setting up three temporary camps to cordon BSF’s Padua camp on April 15 and 16 of 2001,” Rahman had informed.

Indian response and the ‘unplanned’ Boraibari siege​

“Hundreds of people living in villages around the Meghalaya-Assam-Bangladesh trijunction, who had left their homes following the clashes, are yet to return. Meghalaya Chief Minister Mowlong said that the State shared a long border with Bangladesh and its people often suffered owing to disturbances on the border. An end to this problem was essential, he said. The Meghalaya government is providing food and relief materials to villagers who had to leave their homes because of the border disturbances,” the Frontline had reported.

Patrolling was increased in the immediate aftermath of the Bangladeshi troops’ intrusion into the Indian territory. Gurbachan Jagat, who was the then Director-General of BSF, had issued an alert and said, “If they could suddenly get belligerent in Pyrdiwah, there was no way of ruling out similar incidents elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force was chalking out plans to retaliate and capture a post located, deep within the Bangladeshi territory in Boraibari. A contingent of 50-60 BSF personnel, belonging to the 118 Battalion, entered the Boraibari village on April 18, 2001. They were led by Deputy Commandant BR Mondol.

India Today had reported that the choice of the post was wrong, given that Boraibari was not an ‘adverse possession’. Although the village was inhabited primarily by Indians, the Borabari residents were said to be antagonistic to India over alleged civilian killings.

“The BSF’s relationship with local residents is poor as they come in the way of smuggling, a prime source of livelihood for villagers on both sides of the border. Besides, most families in that area are part of a single extended family, separated by a line on the map which is difficult to define. To them, those guarding the ‘border’ are keeping families apart. The Indian side is certainly more vigilant in this matter and in the last five years almost a hundred villagers have died in BDR-BSF conflicts,” wrote Afsan Chowdhury in Himalmag.


Injured Bangladeshi soldier, image via BBC
The village had no clear demarcations unlike Pyrdiwah and lay next to the Assam border, separated by only a fence. Whether 118 Battalion Deputy Commandant BR Mondal was taking orders from the Ministry or acting on his own still remains unclear.

In the words of Gurbachan Jagat, “I asked for intensive patrolling. Crossing the fence was not part of the brief.” Reportedly, Mondol split the BSF contingent into 3 groups and led only one of them. His contingent had a total of 16 men. The 118 Batallion did not anticipate the chain of events that followed.

“Mondol had neither the numerical strength nor the firepower or the communication back-up that is crucial to counter-attacks. Mondol and the party walked through a gate along the fence and took a nullah to reach Boraibari. They were totally unprepared for what followed,” read a report in India Today.

The brutal killings of Indian jawans​

The Indian jawans were discovered by the residents of Boraibari village. Announcements were made on loudspeakers by the local mosque that the villagers were in danger at the hands of the Indian forces.

The mosque authorities had incited the locals to gather, which in no time surrounded the BSF personnel. Aided by Bangladesh Rifles, the locals snatched away the wireless sets and weapons from the jawans.

According to BSF Director-General Gurbachan Jagat, the BSF personnel could have fired in self-defence but they are trained to not attack civilians. It is believed that Mondol felt that he could handle the situation, given that he was a Bengali.

India Today had reported, “But the rule changes if there is a life-endangering situation like the one in which the BSF men found themselves. Why did the party not try and send out a wireless message to warn their seniors? “Mondol probably felt that being a Bengali, he could handle it himself,” says a BSF officer.”



BSF jawans martyred in Boraibari massacre, image via Twitter/LestWeForgetIndia

According to a report in the Frontline, the BSF opened fire on a BDR camp while the latter gave the impression that none was stationed at the camp. “But they struck when the BSF moved closer to the camp. With the help of quick reinforcements from nearby border posts and the support of the people of the village, the BDR launched a full-scale counterattack.”, it said.

“Heavy exchange of fire continued for more than two days, forcing nearly 10,000 people to flee their homes. The bodies of BSF men were lying in the paddy fields for more than two days as the fight continued. The people recovered several bodies from the fields and handed them over to the BDR later. Two injured BSF men were flown to Dhaka by helicopter for treatment,” the report added.

The Indian jawans were brutalised and tortured in an inhumane manner and their bodies were mutilated and paraded like animals. Following the diplomatic intervention, Bangladesh Rifles withdrew from Pyrdiwah village on April 19, 2001, and handed over the bodies of martyred BSF Jawans on April 20 of that year.

India’s response to the Boraibari massacre​

In the aftermath of the Boraibari massacre, the Indian government’s angst was directed toward the Bangladesh Rifles instead of the Sheikh Hasina government. The then Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh had remarked, ”It is now up to the government of Bangladesh to act against the perpetrators of these crimes and restore confidence and trust.”

Given that the Hasina government had been historically friendly to India and general elections in Bangladesh were near, New Delhi was cautious about its criticism of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

This, however, gave an opportunity for Sheikh Hasina to downplay the Borabari massacre and claim that the Bangladesh Rifles killed the Indian troops in self-defence. While she avoided tendering an apology over the brutal killing of Indian jawans, she had claimed to conduct an independent probe into the matter.

“It is well within our rights to review the relationship (between the two countries) if Bangladesh does not punish the perpetrators within a reasonable time,” Minister for State ID Swami had said.

Former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, G. Parthasarthy, had even hinted at the Pakistani hand in the matter. “It could be Pakistan’s plan to open another front on India’s eastern sector in order to divert Indian troops from Kashmir where the passes will be opening shortly,” he told India Today.

The Indian government paid homage to the martyred BSF jawans and announced ₹10,000 to every family affected by the intrusion of Bangladesh Rifles in Pyrdiwah, ₹2 lakh for the reconstruction of the village church and school. At the same time, the government also announced new 15 TV sets for BSF posts on the border with Bangladesh.

Boraibari: When Bangladesh Rifles killed BSF jawans with impunity in 2001

Given that the Hasina government had been historically friendly to India and general elections in Bangladesh were near, New Delhi was cautious about its criticism of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. | OpIndia News

www.opindia.com

Indian soldiers should wear bangles…

 

[EasyNow]

Who asks you to believe me? Better you go through the sequences of each events that took place instead of talking "Conspiracy Theory".

Now, Hasina BIbi is not willing to just relinquish the power of the country because she will be sued for all three criminal acts when she or her BAL party is out of power.

I believe, she will then seek your advice how to cope with the Court. Please help her, but don't expect any results. She will be hanged.

I don't have to believe you, but do you believe your own words??

You're saying Hasina had her own rally bombed, killing her own supporters for political gain.

She had 13 grenades thrown at her with such precision as to specifically kill 24 people including her bodyguard, her minister and injure 500 people but not hurt her - she planned that?

Maybe opposition should use your theory and throw grenades at their own rallies - you can guarantee their safety.

And this was during BNP rule - in partnership with Jamaat. They had the full power to investigate and expose Hasina but they did nothing. They set up a 1-man commission to investigate the matter.

In fact it was the caretaker govt not AL or BNP who apprehended the guilty party of HUJI terrorists and they accused BNP ministers too. It's all out in the open now so don't bother with your lies.


Once Hasina is out of power, it doesn't matter what happens to her. But what's right is right - you have been proven, with these blatant lies as lacking any integrity.

 

[AmiEktaKharapChele]

I don't have to believe you, but do you believe your own words??

You're saying Hasina had her own rally bombed, killing her own supporters for political gain.

She had 13 grenades thrown at her with such precision as to specifically kill 24 people including her bodyguard, her minister and injure 500 people but not hurt her - she planned that?

Maybe opposition should use your theory and throw grenades at their own rallies - you can guarantee their safety.

And this was during BNP rule - in partnership with Jamaat. They had the full power to investigate but they did nothing. They set up a 1-man commission to investigate the matter.

In fact it was the caretaker govt not AL or BNP who apprehended the guilty party of HUJI terrorists and they accused BNP ministers too. It's all out in the open now so don't bother with your lies.


Once Hasina is out of power, it doesn't matter what happens to her. But what's right is right - you have been proven, with these blatant lies as lacking any integrity.

BNP good, BAL bad.