Retired army officer Major Khandaker Mohammad Sajjadul Islam told International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday that he witnessed the killing of a detainee during a RAB operation on July 11, 2011, his first night after joining the force. He alleged that after the convoy stopped at a bridge reached via Tongi’s Ahsanullah Master Flyover, Ziaul Ahsan held a blindfolded and hand-bound detainee against the railing, shot him from behind in the head and threw him below.

Sajjad testified as the sixth witness in the crimes against humanity case against dismissed army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan, concerning allegations of enforced disappearances, torture and killings during the Awami League’s roughly 15-year rule. He said he had been transferred to RAB on July 5, 2011, and that RAB-3 commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Rafiqul Islam told him to join the night operation on Ziaul Ahsan’s instructions.

According to Sajjad, the convoy stopped at two further locations. At the second stop, he was told to conduct an anti-terror operation, but Ziaul Ahsan allegedly rebuked him after he asked who the terrorists were and what their offences were. Sajjad said he was transferred back to the army the next day, and newspapers later reported three bullet-hit bodies in Gazipur’s Joydebpur area.