World

Gun battle in Bangladesh capital

by nehalarya | February 24, 2009 at 10:09 pm

586 views | 55 Recommendations | 12 comments

A gun battle has broken out inside the headquarters of the Bangladesh border guards in the capital, Dhaka, police and TV reports say.

An intense gunbattle broke out Wednesday morning inside the headquarters of Bangladesh's border security force in the capital, Dhaka, after several security personnel apparently staged a rebellion against the head of the force, officials said.

It was not immediately clear whether the gunfire resulted in casualties, the country's information ministry said.

The director general of the Bangladesh Rifles, Maj. Shakil Ahmed, was conducting a roll call inside the force's headquarters when the gunfire began, the ministry said.

"It's a serious, serious incident," said Mohammed Sajjad Haider, spokesman for the ministry. "Some soldiers have decided to rebel. The gunfire coming from inside is so heavy that no one has been able to go inside."

Dhaka, Feb 25: Heavy gun battle broke out between Bangladesh Rifles troops and Army officers at BDR Headquarters in Dhaka on Wednesday, resulting in the death of several BDR officers, including the Director General. The gunfight at BDR Headquarters prompted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to call an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.

According to reports, a meeting between the officers and soldiers over salaries and other amenities was scheduled for this morning. Sources said that when the officers came to attend the meeting, soldiers confined them to the room and asked them to meet their demands pertaining to pay and other benefits.
According to police officials, at least 20 people have been killed in the gun battle while other reports put the figure at 50.

3 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

KaushiK™

at 02:09 on February 25th, 2009

Update @ 2:45 pm Indian Std. Time:-

News correspondent of "Jugantar" of Dhaka says one of the BDR soldiers had demanded the Prime Minister & Home Minister must visit their headquarters ON FOOT, i.e., they must walk from Parliament to BDR HQ and sit on talks. Meanwhile, the Commerce Minister of Bangladesh has expressed that the BDR's demands are very minor in nature and can be settled through talks.

However, General Shankar Roychoudhury, retd. army chief of India has said in a Kolkata local TV channel that why these minors demands were not met for so long, specially when there was a non-political caretaker government in power for 2 years; why wasn't anyone looking at the armed forces' demands - we don't have the answer, but eastern border of India has been put to high alert following these developments in neighbouring country.

Update @ 2:51 pm Indian Std. Time:-
Two personnel sent by the Prime Minister has begun negotiations on the mike, while the rest of the armed forces are ordering the surrender, and PM is still in a cricual meeting abt this issue.

Update @ 3:27 pm Indian Std. Time:-
- BDR chief Shakeel Ahmed has got a bullet injury
- Negotiations on way
- Death toll up to 50, nearly 250 injured

Update @ 3:36 pm Indian Std. Time:-
- 15 member BDR team reached Prime Minister's residence to talk on demands
- 4 member parliamentary committee team already holding talks at BDR HQ

Sanjay Jha

at 22:48 on February 24th, 2009

Thanks for bringing it to us so quickly. After independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh has had a history of coups and counter-coups. So let's hope this is not a army coup.

Sanjay Jha

at 23:05 on February 24th, 2009

Latest information coming from Dhaka says that at least four army officers have been killed and dozens have been held hostage.

KaushiK™

at 02:50 on February 25th, 2009

Update @ 4:12 pm Indian Std. Time:-
~ Trouble as expected:- Indian Border Security Forces are right now experiencing gun battle in Sylhet & Chittagong borders areas with the Bangladesh Rifles
~ West Bengal's state Home department thru' Chief Secretary has directed all Superintendents of Police and District Magistrates of border districts to remain on high alert; meanwhile the Indian BSF chief has doubled the patrolling of his forces on border; Kolkata city Police Commissioner also put to high alert in case of emergencies

Ravi Dixit

at 23:00 on February 24th, 2009

Seems like an isolated incidence, let see how it plays out!

Paschen

at 23:07 on February 24th, 2009

That country has been through more then most could endure already.

KaushiK™

at 01:21 on February 25th, 2009

In a country where even the United Nations employees face delay in their salary as many as 2 to 3 times in a year (highest delay I heard was 105 days delay in 2007), what else do you expect to happen with government departments in that country?

Barry Artiste

at 01:38 on February 25th, 2009

Well Coup de Doo!

Sanjay Jha

at 02:13 on February 25th, 2009

Thanks Kaushik for your constant update. Really appreciated.

nehalarya

at 02:17 on February 25th, 2009

Thanks Kaushik for your update

KaushiK™

at 21:07 on February 25th, 2009

Update @ 10:35 Indian Std. Time 26-02-2009:-
~ After Sylhet & Chittagong, violence now spreading to Jessore & Rajshahi BDR offices
~ Government in the middle of BDR & Army, both angry over each other