President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Banani Military Cemetery on Wednesday morning, marking National Martyrs’ Day. They placed floral wreaths separately after 10 a.m. and observed a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs. A smart contingent of the armed forces rendered a formal salute, accompanied by the sound of the bugle, followed by a special prayer seeking eternal peace for the departed souls.

National Martyrs’ Day, observed on February 25, commemorates the tragic events of 2009 when 57 army officers, including then Border Guard Bangladesh (formerly BDR) Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, were brutally killed during a mutiny at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka. Several civilians, including Shakil Ahmed’s wife, were also murdered during the two-day violence.

The day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces and civilians during the Pilkhana tragedy, with national leaders continuing to honor their memory annually.