Bangladesh holds state funeral for 49 army officers slain in border guard mutiny

Bangladeshi people hold candles during a remembrance gathering for people killed during the recent mutiny at the Bangaldesh Rifles heaquarters in Dhaka. (AFP PHOTO)

Published Monday, March 02, 2009

By AP

Bangladesh held a mass state funeral for 49 army officers and a family member slain in a two-day mutiny by border guards in the capital that left as many as 148 people dead or missing.

President Zillur Rahman and army chief Gen. Moeen U Ahmed led thousands of mourners on Monday at Muslim funeral prayers at a national parade ground in Dhaka. Air Force jets flew overhead in salute.

Flag-draped coffins, including two with remains of border guards Chief Maj. Gen. Shakil Ahmed and his wife, Nazneen, were later carried away for burial near military headquarters.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has said it planned to form a tribunal to try those who organized the mutiny, which she called ‘a planned massacre’ that may have received outside help.

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