Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has described the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy as an attempt to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty and emphasized the need to commemorate it with state honor. Speaking on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at a discussion in Dhaka Cantonment marking National Martyred Soldiers Day, he said that failing to give the events of February 25 and 26 due state recognition would be an injustice to history and future generations.

Rahman paid tribute to the 74 people, including 57 army officers, who were killed in the 2009 incident, calling it a deep wound in the nation’s history. He also recalled the sacrifices of martyrs from the Liberation War, the 1990 mass movement, and the 2024 uprising. The prime minister said the government would work with the armed forces to preserve the memory of the tragedy and ensure long-term welfare for the victims’ families.

He further stated that the Pilkhana incident exposed weaknesses in national security and pledged to modernize and strengthen the country’s defense structure to align with global standards.