List of 200 Pakistani ‘war criminals’ released

A list of Pakistani soldiers, who are believed to have committed war crimes in 1971, has been prepared by the International War Crimes Mass Trial Movement (IWCMTM).

The organisation, formed while the trials of Bangladeshi collaborators were underway, placed the list containing 200 names at a press conference on Tuesday.    

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Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan was instrumental in its formation after Pakistan began opposing the trials and execution of convicts. 

Altogether 195 Pakistani Army personnel had been accused of war crimes in 1971, but Khan explained the presence of five more names.

“The plan was to release 195 names, but we found five more individuals; so the list has 200 names.”

The organisation has received more information, he said. “More lists will be made public after verifying the information.” 

Sixty-eight army men named in the list have been accused of planning war crimes and leading their execution. 

Charges of genocide, rape, looting and arson have been levelled against 118. Another 14 have been accused of committing genocide on a massive scale.

The list names a lieutenant general, five major generals, five colonels, 20 brigadiers, 39 lieutenant colonels, 45 captains, 81 majors, two lieutenants, three air force personnel and three Navy personnel.

The IWCMTM members will march in a procession and appeal to the speaker to have the issue raised in parliament. 

Journalist Abed Khan, film director Kazi Hayat, freedom fighter Ismat Kadir Gama, professor Abdul Mannan Chowdhury and actress Rokeya Prachi were present at the press meet. 

Shahriar Kabir, executive president of Ghatak Dalam Nirmul Committee, is against the IWCMTM move.