National Martyred Army Day is being observed

National Martyred Army Day is being observed today, with tributes paid to the victims of the 2009 Pilkhana massacre.

On the eve of the occasion, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued a message on Tuesday, praying for the eternal peace of the martyrs and expressing deep sympathy and solidarity with their bereaved families.

He recalled that on February 25, 2009, a brutal massacre took place at the then BDR—now Border Guard Bangladesh—headquarters in Pilkhana.

The prime minister noted that 74 people, including 57 army officers, were martyred in the carnage at the Pilkhana BDR headquarters in Dhaka.

He said the day was not observed with due importance in the years following 2009, adding that since 2024, after the country’s liberation from fascism, it has been officially observed as “Martyred Army Day.”

The premier again prayed for the eternal peace of those who lost their lives in the Pilkhana massacre.

“The trial over the Pilkhana killings is ongoing. As the matter is sub judice, there is no scope for detailed comments. However, as a citizen, I believe it is important to recognize that forces hostile to the country’s independence and sovereignty were involved behind this massacre,” he said.

He further stated that following the incident, there were attempts to mislead the public through falsehoods and misinformation.

But in a fascism-free Bangladesh, he said, the people now understand the underlying causes of the Pilkhana killings.

Describing the armed forces as a symbol of the honour, bravery and pride of an independent nation, Tarique Rahman said, “Today, we must renew our pledge so that no one can ever again conspire against the armed forces. Let this be our commitment on Martyred Army Day—that we will stand united against any conspiracy that goes against the interests of the country and its people.”