DHAKA: Gunfights took place inside the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters here Wednesday morning in which 20 people were killed, a media report said.
A rebellion broke out in paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Headquarters in Pilkhana area in Dhaka with witnesses reporting heavy gun battle among the troops at their main barracks.
According to the reports, revolt erupted over pay and perks.
Many army officers have been held hostage by border guards. Director General of Bangladesh Rifles has also been killed in the firing. Civilians are being evacuated from areas near Bangladesh Rifles Headquarters.
Bangladesh Rifles soldiers have taken control of a mall near the headquarters
Officials said that army was called out to crush the rebellion as witnesses reported movement of military convoys and hovering of air force helicopters over the sky of the Pilkhana barracks.
Smoke could be seen coming from the complex, with security forces sealing the area off.
Re: 20 dead in Bangladesh security headquarters
The Rifles seem to have a long and proud traditional now of mutiny and butchering their officers. West Pakistani officers in the past; Bengali officers today.
43 officers' corpses have now been found.
Hasina promised the BDR amnesty; the army is now braying for their blood to avenge the dead officers. Interesting times ahead for Hasina. Does she keep her word and risk the wrath of the army that killed her father?
Or does she retract her promised amnesty now that the BDR have surrendered, and appease the army?