Are More Than 150 Officers of the Bangladesh Army Facing Charges?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 150 officers are under investigation by the ICT.
- Charges include enforced disappearances and killings.
- Potential warrants may be issued soon.
- Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is named as a principal accused.
- Radicalized factions within the military are reportedly plotting further actions.
New Delhi, Oct 12 (NationPress) In a significant development for the Bangladesh Army, over 150 current and former officers are now under investigation by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for their alleged involvement in violence against students and dissenters, including enforced disappearances and murders, potentially leading to penal consequences shortly.
Sources indicate that a fresh charge sheet will be introduced against these officers, with potential warrants expected to be issued between Tuesday and Thursday.
As per ICT insiders, accusations will also be directed at all Army chiefs who have served between 2009 and 2025.
During the protests occurring in July-August of the previous year against the former Sheikh Hasina administration, security forces were implicated in the deaths of numerous students and civilians, with sniper rifles reportedly utilized from helicopters. Consequently, the chief of the Bangladesh Air Force and several senior officials may also be included in the charge sheet.
Another source revealed that the current investigation has widened its scope to include high-ranking officials from the Bangladesh Army, the BAF Chief, and select officers from the Bangladesh Navy who held critical roles during Sheikh Hasina's governance (including positions within DGFI, NSI, RAB, SSF, PGR, and the Prime Minister's and President's offices), with possible dismissals or forced retirements anticipated. This group also encompasses members of the Awami League family, families of freedom fighters, and officers from religious and ethnic minority groups.
Furthermore, reports have surfaced that two mid-level undercover agents from the Pakistani ISI arrived in Bangladesh in August to collaborate with ICT and other influential figures, including pro-Pakistan Lt Gen S.M. Kamrul Hasan (Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division), Khalilur Rahman (National Security Advisor), Adilur Rahman Khan (interim government advisor), Brig Gen (Retd) Abdullahil Amaan Azmi (son of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Azam), Asif Nazrul (legal advisor), and Tajul Islam (Jamaat-e-Islami leader and current Chief Prosecutor of ICT) to finalize the list of accused and charges against the 150 military officers.
It is further reported that several pro-Jamaat officers within the Bangladesh Army, BAF, and Bangladesh Navy are acting as a pressure group to compel Army Chief General Waker Uz Zaman to comply with directives from the Yunus government. Additionally, they are preparing to establish the 'Islamic Revolutionary Army' (IRA) immediately following the removal of the current Army Chief.
According to sources, these radicalized junior military officers with Jamaat affiliations are even scheming a potential massacre within various military bases in Bangladesh, targeting 'pro-AL' and 'pro-India' officers and soldiers.
On Thursday, ICT investigators submitted a charge sheet accusing 11 senior army officers—including eight generals—of committing 'crimes against humanity', which are punishable by death.
Notably, the charge sheet also names former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a principal accused in this case.