Committed to ensuring that no incident like Feb 25, 2009 is ever repeated: Army chief

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has called on the nation to remain united to ensure that no incident like the February 25, 2009 Pilkhana massacre ever recurs in this country.

Speaking at the National Martyred Army Day Iftar 2026 on Wednesday at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment, the army chief described the killings as a “stain” in the country’s history.

“We are committed to ensuring that no incident like February 25, 2009 is repeated in our national life,” said General Waker.

On that day in 2009, 74 people, including 57 army officers, were brutally murdered by renegade members of the then Bangladesh Rifles, he mentioned, while addressing the prime minister, home minister, state minister for defence, chiefs of the navy and air force, families of the martyrs, and serving and retired officials.

General Waker prayed for the martyrs’ eternal peace and conveyed condolences to their families.

He said the day was being observed in this form for the first time under the prime minister’s directive, with an iftar arranged for the families.

He acknowledged the struggles faced by the families since 2009. Children of the martyrs were deprived of the affection and care of their fathers or parents while building their lives, he said.

“Every child of the martyrs is our child,” he said, pledging that the Bangladesh Army would continue to support them.

General Waker highlighted the historic bond between the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh, forged during the Liberation War, and said both forces are working jointly to safeguard independence and sovereignty. He stressed that unity is essential to prevent any recurrence of such tragedies and to build a prosperous Bangladesh.

He added that the prime minister’s presence at the programme had instilled confidence and hope among the families.

He also thanked the Adjutant General’s Branch and all organisers for arranging the event.