AL Found Organisationally Involved in BDR Carnage: Taposh Key Coordinator

The National Independent Inquiry Commission, formed to investigate the brutal killings carried out in the name of the BDR mutiny handed over its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guesthouse Jamuna.

The National Independent Inquiry Commission, tasked with investigating the brutal killings during the BDR mutiny, has submitted its report to the government, concluding that the Awami League (AL) was organisationally involved in the carnage.

The report revealed that the massacre was pre-planned, with Member of Parliament Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh acting as the principal coordinator, and the incident occurred with the ‘green signal’ of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Commission head Major General (retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman and other members handed over the report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guesthouse Jamuna. Other members include Major General (retd) Md Jahangir Kabir Talukder, Brigadier General (retd) Md Saidur Rahman Bir Protik, former Joint Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, former DIG Dr M Akbar Ali, DU Political Science Associate Professor Md Shariful Islam, and JnU IER Assistant Professor Md Shahnewaz Khan Chandon.

Fazlur Rahman said the Commission maintained maximum professionalism to ensure fairness, accuracy, and neutrality.

“When we began, much evidence from this 16-year-old incident had been destroyed, and many involved had left the country,” he said.

The Commission conducted detailed interviews, sometimes up to 8 hours per witness, and reviewed investigation reports and other materials. “We attempted to answer every public question, including why the army remained inactive during the incident,” Fazlur Rahman added.

The investigation found strong evidence of direct involvement of external forces as well as the then-ruling party in the BDR carnage.

Commission member Jahangir Kabir Talukder said the Commission uncovered external and internal causes behind the incident. “The massacre was pre-planned, and MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh acted as the principal coordinator,” he added.

Jahangir noted that local AL leaders helped protect those involved, citing that 20–25 people entered Pilkhana but came out with more than 200. He also stated that the incident occurred with the approval of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Responsibility for the massacre, he said, lies with the then head of government and the army chief, while police, RAB, and intelligence agencies failed to act effectively.

The Commission also found that some media outlets and journalists played unprofessional roles, and proper records were not kept of BDR personnel who met Sheikh Hasina at the State Guesthouse during the incident.

The report includes recommendations to prevent similar incidents and ensure justice for victims.

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus praised the Commission’s work, saying, “For long, the nation remained in the dark about the BDR killings. This report contains many lessons and will remain a valuable national asset.”

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Hafiz, and Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani were present at the submission.