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Bangladesh:Gunfight at BDR headquarters

In that case Generals should be punished too for making huge Bucks out of these men's share.Otherwise it would be unfair.

ofcourse yes. But the moment it happened they should have been treated with a mighty kick.
 
Bangladesh's first line of defence

Bangladeshi border guards have mutinied at their headquarters in the capital, Dhaka. Local media have speculated that the revolt is over pay and working conditions. The BBC's Subir Bhaumik reports on the origins of the force.

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The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) is said to be the country's first line of defence. It is meant to patrol the borders, check smuggling and cross-border crime and establish the government's authority in remote areas.

In times of war, it is supposed to provide support to the army.

The Bangladesh Rifles originated from the East Pakistan Rifles - a force set up in undivided Pakistan - and came into existence shortly after the country's independence in 1972.

The original batch of 9,000 troops were mostly East Pakistan Rifles deserters who revolted against the Pakistani officers.

But when Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, wanted to merge the Bangladesh Rifles with the national militia Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini, the BDR stiffly opposed the move.

But that was the first and last time the border force witnessed a situation close to mutiny.

"Though the Bangladesh army has a turbulent history of mutinies and revolts, specially between 1975 and 1984, the BDR has been remarkably free from indiscipline," says Bangladesh security analyst, retired major Shamsul Arefin.

"Its soldiers have severe resentment about pay and perks and they have angrily represented them from time to time, but they have never revolted.

"So it has to be seen whether there's a conspiracy to use the disaffection to destabilise the new government,"
he said, referring to Wednesday's mutiny at the BDR's Dhaka headquarters.

Major role

By 1973 a vigorous recruiting campaign had swelled the Bangladesh Rifles ranks to about 20,000 personnel. Its current strength is around 70,000.

The BDR is under the Home Ministry, but the army plays a major role in staffing, training and directing the force. Most Bangladesh Rifles officers are seconded from the regular army.

Disputes over pay could have laid to the mutiny
For instance, the army chief of staff, Lt Gen Atiqur Rahman, served as director general of the Bangladesh Rifles for four and a half years before taking over as army chief.

In addition, retired junior commissioned officers and those below them are often assigned to the Bangladesh Rifles in recognition of long years of service.

"That's the problem. The army fellows don't take up our cause. We are paid very poorly," one BDR soldier, who did not want to be named, told the BBC.

Although Bangladesh Rifles units can be called upon to assist the police in putting down domestic disturbances, their primary role is to guard the nation's frontiers.

The force is organised into battalions along military lines.

During war time or national emergencies, the president as commander in chief can authorise the military to assume direct control over all paramilitary and police forces.

The present BDR chief, Shakil Ahmed, who is said to have been attacked by his irate troops on Wednesday, has promised to work closely with India countering terrorist groups active along the borders.

Indian Border Security Force officials talk of him as a "very friendly person always willing to co-operate".

BBC NEWS | South Asia | In pictures: Dhaka mutiny
 
I think everyone knew that it was not justice to the dead to give BDR amnesty, but killing the mutiny is a must.

I'm sure they would be kicked out of the Army in due time and will pay in one way or the other.

As long as the people of Bangladesh do not make them heroes now.

Sir, if you were in Bangladesh you would understand the situation... The nation is on the side of the BDR... and the "killing" was just an accident and its natural to be killed in a war zone and the people often warned by the army and even by the BDR personnels via speakers...
 
His term expires by middle of this year but he has backing from enemy. Not sure if Hasina can overcome that.

But Hasina sould,

Think that she is elected by people, her source of power is people and not neighbor country. Therefore she should pursue people interest rather than neighbor interest.

Address the nation and declare BDR Amnesty and removal of army from scene.

Create special pay grade and benefit for BDR on par with army.

Immediately send army officers who command BDR to special sensitivity training. Long term commanding BDR can be addressed many ways later.

Court martial Moeen U and is gang of officers.

Gradual removal of Bangladesh armed forces from UN mission.

I don't think court martial of General Moeen is possible.Then we might witness a coup.

Serving in UN missions does not have anything to do with this.
 
Sir, if you were in Bangladesh you would understand the situation... The nation is on the side of the BDR... and the "killing" was just an accident and its natural to be killed in a war zone and the people often warned by the army and even by the BDR personnels via speakers...

I beg to differ brother.I don't support their act but do support their cause.

This is no way of proving their point.You will see how many people were killed today as time passes.This is unacceptable.

I think mutiny is in our blood,I mean Bengali blood.Looking back at history,from 1857 to 2009...
 
I don't think court martial of General Moeen is possible.Then we might witness a coup.

Serving in UN missions does not have anything to do with this.

It may seem out of context but untold inside details that are not available does requires elimination of UN mission in long term.

btw, Moeen U does not have that many loyals.
 
10 army officers freed
Star Online Report

Ten army officers, who were held hostages by mutinous BDR jawans since morning, were freed from the BDR headquarters this evening.

They were taken to hospital for treatment shortly after they were freed, source said.

The Daily Star - Details News
 
Tension runs high as BDR mutineers still immovable
Star Online Report

Despite the prime minister's assurance to meet their demands, mutinous BDR members did not move from their position as army was not withdrawn from the BDR headquarters.

The BDR jawans did not let in State Minister for LGRD Ministry Jahnagir Kabir Nanak, who went to the BDR headquarters along with chiefs of RAB and police to settle the matter by arranging arms surrenders.

They would not surrender their arms on the basis of a verbal assurance.

The mutineers demanded the army cordon around the BDR headquarters be withdrawn immediately.

They demanded the matter be discussed in the parliament immediately.

Different private television stations reported that the BDR jawans were preparing for a video conference with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=15246

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This is not over yet.:tsk:
 
a bunch of soldiers killing their own for paychecks? no wonder east pakistan split, mutiny is the norm in that country...

It wasn't only for paychecks,read previous posts to get a better view.

And don't bring 1971 here,If you look at it,you will find many similarities with this incident with 1971.Don't want to elaborate because that would derail the thread.
 
Without threat of attack from Army is removed it will be difficult for BDR to lay down their arms.

As night passing things are getting even more critical. Govt should tap ex army officer like Fazlur Rahman who can help defuse the situation.

Rest of it who guilty on what degree and what to do with them will come later.
 
As night passing things are getting even more critical. Govt should tap ex army officer like Fazlur Rahman who can help defuse the situation.

Gen. Fazlur Rahman would not be the first choice for AL since he led the BDR counter-attack on the 2001 BSF incursion into BD killing 19 of them. The Indians certainly would not approve of making him a hero.
 
Gen. Fazlur Rahman would not be the first choice for AL since he led the BDR counter-attack on the 2001 BSF incursion into BD killing 19 of them. The Indians certainly would not approve of making him a hero.

You are 100% correct but that's where Hasina's leadership will be tested once again.
 
Gen. Fazlur Rahman would not be the first choice for AL since he led the BDR counter-attack on the 2001 BSF incursion into BD killing 19 of them. The Indians certainly would not approve of making him a hero.
Why would you care about the Indians?
 
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