View exchanges with retired army officers and family members of martyrs in Pilkhana massacreTarique pledges to restore 'BDR' name

Tarique Rahman has promised to rename the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) if the BNP comes to power.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman made the promise at a view-exchange meeting with retired army officers and family members of the martyrs in Pilkhana at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel on Saturday evening.

The Armed Forces Affairs Sub-Committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized this event on the occasion of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election-2026.

The programme was attended by military officers dismissed during the Awami League regime, retired army members who took part in the July Uprising and family members of those killed in the Pilkhana BDR carnage.

At the beginning of his speech, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman expressed his gratitude to the organizers for inviting him and his wife Zubaida Rahman to such an event.

He said, "After the BDR Pilkhana massacre in 2009, the 'fallen, defeated, fugitive, expelled fascist evil forces' changed the name of the BDR, which is intertwined with the memory of the Liberation War. Even their uniforms have been changed."

"I want to share a personal feeling with you. If BNP gets the responsibility of running the state by the people's verdict, I want to restore the name of BDR, which is intertwined with the memories of the Liberation War. In order to ensure that such incidents never happen again in the future, we have a plan to discuss with the army and declare the day of the Pilkhana army massacre as 'Martyr Army Day' or 'Army Massacre Day' or 'National Mourning Day'."

Tarique Rahman said, "The people of Bangladesh consider the army as a reliable force for the country's independence and sovereignty. I believe that if the army is attached to other tasks, the main purpose of the army is disrupted."

Recommendations will be implemented for the welfare of the army

Tarique Rahman said, "Before holding a meeting with you; some former military officers presented several recommendations to me for the welfare of army officers and personasl."

In this context, he said, "I personally think that these recommendations, including the formation of a National Security Council and the revision or reform of some provisions of the Army Act, are certainly important."

He said, "At this moment, I can only say this much: if, by the grace of God, the BNP gets the responsibility of running the country in the upcoming February 12 national election, by the people's vote, we have planned to form a committee consisting of former and current army officers to implement your recommendations."

"We intend to examine the demands and implement each recommendation in stages, as recommended by this committee."

He said, "One rank, one pay was a demand of former officers and members of the army. I would like to inform you with great pleasure that we have already included 'One rank, one pay' in the BNP election manifesto and we have already presented the announcement of its implementation to the nation."

"InshaAllah, if BNP forms the government, we will implement this as quickly as possible in the elections on the 12th."

Zia family has 'soul ties' with the army

Speaking about the 'spiritual relationship' with the army, Tarique Rahman said, "My wife and I are truly nostalgic during the exchange of views with you. I have always felt or we feel that the army or the armed forces are a larger family to me."

Reminiscing about his childhood, he said, "Maybe the reason for this is that my family and I grew up in the cantonment. We lost our father at a very young age. However, growing up, I saw that my mother, the late Khaleda Zia, also had a kind of trust and respect for the army. My mother always believed that Bangladesh must have a strong army for the country's independence and sovereignty."

'The army will not be allowed to be used for political gain'

Tarique Rahman announced that a special committee will be formed to fairly investigate all the irregularities that have occurred in the army in the past.

He emphasized the responsibility of the army to protect the dignity of the armed forces. At the same time, he also said that BNP will work positively to build a modern military force.

Tarique Rahman said, "I don't want to say that the army's lost glory will be restored. Rather, glory cannot be restored, it is a matter of earning glory, a matter of retaining glory."

He said, "The army must protect the glory of the army. The army must be vigilant and aware of its own honor and dignity."

At this time, he said, "My words may be a bit off-beat...but I have tried to present the matter to you as I believe it, as I see it. However, as a political party, as a member of a political party, I can say this much: if the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is able to form the government by the verdict of the people, the army will definitely be kept free from controversy and will not be allowed to be used for political interests in any way."

He said, "BNP has never done anything like this in the past, is not doing it now, and God willing, will not do it in the future. Because BNP has always been a force in favor of Bangladesh's independence. As a political party, if BNP is strong in the political arena, Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty will also be strong."

He said, "The glory and dignity of the army will also remain intact, God willing. The army will definitely be aware of politics. However, it should not get absorbed in politics."

He also said, "It is important for all officers and members of the army to be very aware that professionalism is not covered by the cloak of politics."

Earlier, Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka after participating in election campaigns and public rally in three districts of North Bengal and joined the event. Upon entering the venue, he walked and exchanged greetings with all the retired army officers present at the event.

At that time, Tarique Rahman was accompanied by Colonel (retd) Harunur Rashid Khan, ADC of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, Major (retd) Syed Abu Bakr Siddique, Major (retd) Jamal Haider, Rakin Ahmed, son of former BDR Director General (DG) Major General Shakil Ahmed, and many others.

Earlier, The event began with recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers led by Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Naeem. After this, special prayers were offered seeking forgiveness for the souls of all martyrs, including the late Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia.

The view-exchange meeting was chaired by BNP Chairman's Defense Advisor Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar.

In his welcome speech, he said, "The history of Bangladesh is deeply intertwined with the history of the armed forces. We want the armed forces to regain their glory."

Fazle Elahi also said, "We want justice for the Peelkhana BDR massacre, the killing of Major Sinha, and the torture of the officers who were dismissed from service. We only want justice. We want to ensure that our members and children are never humiliated again in the future."

He highlighted the contribution of martyred President Ziaur Rahman in the Liberation war, Bangladesh's post-independence politics and the history of BNP. He also shed light on the 44-year political history of the late Begum Khaleda Zia.

At the end of his speech, Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi highlighted Khaleda Zia's important role and contribution in resolving various political crises in the past and in the country's many critical times.

Afterwards, Major (Retd.) Mizanur Rahman told the retired officers present at the event that everyone who believes in nationalism will support Tarique Rahman from their respective positions in the next election. He urged them to choose the democratic path.

Addressing Tarique Rahman, Major (Retd.) Mizanur Rahman said, "It is difficult to express in words the oppression and torture he has been subjected to in the last 17 years. He mentioned that the trauma of the incident of his being taken from his Gulshan home in front of his wife and children has not yet passed."

Expressing his hope for a safe Bangladesh, Mizan said, "I believe that if Tarique Rahman is firm, it is possible for everyone to build a desired Bangladesh together." Later, Tarique Rahman attended a dinner in honor of retired army officers.