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Published : 03 Jul 2025, 07:07 PM
The Bangladesh Army has pledged to take "strict action" if any serving or former member of the army is found to have been involved in enforced disappearances during the tenure of the previous government.
Col Md Shafiqul Islam, colonel staff at the Directorate of Military Operations, made the statement during a press conference at the cantonment officers' mess on Thursday.
He said the Army has been cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the disappearances and will continue to do so.
"Personnel on deputation operate outside the Army’s direct command," Shafiqul said.
"Allegations have been raised against some of them, and an investigation is under way. If evidence emerges of their involvement, the Army will definitely take legal action."
He also assured the families of the victims that the military stands ready to provide assistance if approached.
In August 2024, the government formed a commission led by retired justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances involving law enforcing agencies during the Awami League administration.
The commission submitted its second interim report on Jun 4.
The report said most disappearances were carried out by the police and several intelligence agencies.
Victims, their families, and witnesses identified personnel from the police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the Detective Branch (DB), and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit as the principal actors.
The commission also cited evidence pointing to the involvement of officials from the Directorate General of Defence Intelligence (DGFI), the National Security Intelligence (NSI), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
According to the report, DGFI operated several secret detention sites, including “Aynaghor,” where detainees were allegedly held in isolation and subjected to severe torture.
On Feb 12, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus visited three of these clandestine facilities, which became widely known during the previous administration under the name "Aynaghor".
In June, Grazyna Baranovska, vice chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances, met Army Chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman.
She raised concerns regarding the alleged involvement of former army personnel who had served in several agencies such as the RAB, DGFI, and BGB.
Gen Waker responded by noting that such personnel operated under the authority of the respective organisations to which they had been deputed.
He reiterated the army's commitment to human rights and the justice process, both nationally and internationally.
Earlier, on Jan 19, at a press briefing of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, Moinul said the DGFI functioned under the Ministry of Defense and reported directly to the defense minister — a role typically held by the prime minister.
“NSI was also under the direct control of the prime minister, although not institutionally part of the Ministry of Defense,” he said.
“It is true. However, the officers leading the DGFI, NSI, and RAB, including the ADG Operations of RAB, were often military officers appointed on deputation.”
“These officers came from the Army, Air Force, or Navy, but their operational command was different,” he added.
Commission member Nur Khan said, “A former army chief has publicly said that two officers sought refuge with him because they did not want to be involved in such actions”.
“Given that, it cannot be said they were unaware.”
The chairman echoed this, and said: “As an institution, the Army was not officially involved.”
