Sohel Taj brought cloth from Peelkhana to make clothes for Indian killers

February 25, 2009, 9:00 AM.
On this day, one of the most brutal events in the country’s history took place.

That morning, a meeting began at the Darbar Hall of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka. At the start of the program, BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed began his speech.

At one point during the speech, before anyone could understand what was happening, some rogue members of the BDR launched a sudden attack inside the Darbar Hall.

In that day’s attack by the misguided members, 74 people were killed, including 57 army officers.

However, the incident was said to have been pre-planned. Planning allegedly began back in 2008. On the day of the incident, BDR members started a rebellion with several demands. It is claimed that the then Awami League government took advantage of the situation for political gain and that the killing of 57 skilled army officers was part of a broader plan to prolong their power. According to the narration, such information has recently appeared in an independent investigation commission’s report.

Meetings were allegedly held involving Awami League leaders, including Torab Ali, Sheikh Selim, and Fazle Noor Taposh, regarding how the officers would be killed.

Expatriate journalist Ilias Hossain also provided explosive claims about former State Minister for Home Affairs Sohel Taj’s alleged involvement in the Pilkhana incident. He made these statements during a live broadcast on his personal YouTube channel on Thursday.

According to him, two vehicles from the Ministry of Home Affairs came to Pilkhana and took nine bundles of cloth allocated for BDR soldiers’ uniforms. When Subedar Ishaq from the storehouse was asked where the cloth was being taken, he replied that it was going to the Home Ministry. He allegedly advised others not to look upward but to keep their heads down.

It was further claimed that, in the presence of Sohel Taj and Sheikh Selim, a meeting took place with a 24-member killer group from the Indian intelligence agency RAW. Ilias stated that plans with BDR soldiers were made together with Sheikh Selim, initially to take officers hostage. Later, it was alleged that Fazle Noor Taposh was assigned the responsibility of ensuring safe escape routes for the killers and BDR members. Former Awami League MPs Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mirza Azam, Fazle Noor Taposh, Sheikh Selim, Leather Liton, and Torab Ali were also claimed to be present at the meeting.

Journalist Ilias further alleged that in early February 2009, two vehicles arrived at the Pilkhana storehouse and took nine rolls of uniform cloth that had not yet been issued to soldiers. The vehicles reportedly identified themselves as coming from the Home Ministry. Two civilian officers spoke with the duty officer, after which Subedar Ishaq handed over the cloth, which had originally been brought for a parade.

Havildar Jasim, another member responsible for the storehouse, reportedly expressed surprise at the unusual incident and asked where the cloth was being taken. Ishaq replied that it was going to the Home Ministry so they could wear BDR uniforms and attend the parade.

Ilias also claimed that on February 17, Sohel Taj brought a tailor from Pilkhana to make a uniform for himself and provided his body measurements. He allegedly instructed Major Mostaq of the Sadar Rifles Battalion regarding the uniform. DAD Touhid Akash, said to have played an important role, was taken to Sohel Taj’s office for this purpose, and later delivered the uniform to him. The uniform reportedly had no rank attached, only a deep sign, which created curiosity among other officers when they saw it.

According to the narration, after news of alleged involvement in the Pilkhana killings surfaced, Sohel Taj attempted to leave the country but was sent back from the airport.

Repoter: Matiaullah, Bangla Edition