Homage paid to army officers 

killed in Peelkhana carnage

UNB, Dhaka

Wreaths were placed on behalf of President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a memorial at Banani army graveyard Thursday morning to pay respects to the martyred army officers slain during last year's BDR mutiny on the first anniversary of the Tragedy.
Fifty-seven brilliant army officers who were deputed to the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles as commanders were killed by rebel BDR jawans at the BDR HQs at Pilkhana on February 25-26, 2009. Of the 57 martyred army officers, 48 were buried at the army graveyard.
Asst Military Secretary to the President Lt Col Zakir Hossain and Military Secretary to the Prime Minister Brig Gen Salahuddin Miaji placed the wreaths at the memorial about 9:15am in state homage to the martyrs.
Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for Home Shamsul Huq Tuku and Chiefs of the three services also placed wreaths at the memorial, observed one-minute silence and offered Fateha seeking peace and salvation for the departed souls.
Later, Leader of the Opposition and ex-PM Khaleda Zia paid floral tributes to the late army officers by placing a wreath at the memorial. Family members of the martyred army officers also visited the graveyard, placed wreaths and offered fateha.
"A heartrending scene was created at the time as some family members burst into tears remembering the tragic deaths of their kith and kin. Some prayed to almighty Allah for the punishment of the killers," says a firsthand report.
Meanwhile, the home Minister attended a milad Mahfil at the central mosque of Pilkhana after Johr prayers.
Director-General of BDR Maj Gen Mainul Islam, senior BDR officers and jawans were present in the praying function. Talking to reporters after the Milad, the Home Minister said, "The bright sons of the soil (slain army officers) were brutally killed, which is an irreparable loss for the nation."
Home Minister Advocate Sahara told her audience at the haunted BDR headquarters that they are moving forward so that "the killers are brought under fair trial." She mentioned that the trial of mutineers already started and the trial of killers will be started "as early as possible" on completion of the investigation.