By IANS,
New Delhi : Three separate investigations were on into the Feb 26 mutiny, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) chief Major General Mohammed Mainul Islam said here Wednesday, adding that only the probe will reveal if Pakistan’s spy agency was invovled in it.
“Three separate investigations – judicial, administrative and other – are underway to probe the mutiny,” Islam said here at the conclusion of the India-Bangladesh Border Coordination conference.
Asked if Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-State Services (ISI) was behind the mutiny, Islam said: “It cannot be said before the investigations get completed.”
BDR personnel mutinied against their commanding officers deputed from the army at the BDR headquarters in Dhaka Feb 25. The mutiny, which ended the next day evening, left more than 80 people, including BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed and 54 Bangladesh Army officers, dead.
Islam described the mutiny as “saddest episode ever happened in Bangladesh”.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the mutiny was part of a conspiracy to bring down her new government. Hundreds of guardsmen have been arrested in this connection but hundreds more are still sought.
US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and British Scotland Yard are also assisting the Bangladesh agencies in their investigations.
Islam praised the role of the Indian government for its “prudence” and “wisdom” during the crisis.
“The Indian government, especially the BSF (Border Security Force), has shown its prudence and wisdom during the crisis. We expect them to do so in the future as well,” Islam added.
Islam said during their three-day visit, he and his colleagues shared common concern with their Indian counterparts. “We hope in near future and under the guidance of the new political government, we will solve many problems.”
Islam assured India that Dhaka will not allow on its soil any criminals or terrorists who harm Bangladesh or other countries.
Border Security Force (BSF) Director General M.L. Kumawat said “recalcitrant elements” of the BDR will not be allowed to enter the country. “If anyone attempts to come to our side, we will capture them and hand over to BDR. But so far, no such incident has been reported.”
Kumawat also offered all possible help in restructuring the BDR.