Violent insurrection in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

[Sarevok]

I know testing is not place for serious stuff but neither is what happens in third world N & P worthy...

So here is the situation in Dhaka city, Bangladesh at present...

Few hours back the BDR paramilitary organization suffered an insurrection. Rebel units took command of BDR headquarters, which due to brilliant third world planning is right in middle of a dense residential/commercial area Hong Kong or Gaza people would feel at home in. Within hours military forces were deployed laying siege to the entire contested city block and probably surroundings too. So it turns out there is actual real gun battles going on, real armored vehicles burning in the streets. I have seen my share of Hollywood violence but watching news images of heavy weapon fire against backdrop of familiar apartment complexes, streets and shopping malls is both bizarre and unreal. Turns out urban combat is more ugly than it is tacticool fun like in video games.

I will try to grab a link and post from actual news sources as I soon as I am able.

[Stark]

I hope you're safe.

[The Grim Squeaker]

TV: Bangladesh's rebel paramilitary soldiers demand amnesty
http://www.chinaview.cn 2009-02-25 15:49:15

DHAKA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) soldiers who staged revolt against their army officers here on Wednesday morning demanded general amnesty by the government, private TV channel ATN reported.

The soldiers staged revolt against their officers deputed from the army at the BDR Headquarters in capital city Dhaka on certain demands in the morning. The gunfights left at least 1 civilian dead and 16 others injured with stray bullets wound, hospital sources said.

The rebel soldiers also demanded withdrawal of the army troops surrounding the headquarters and they want direct talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ATN said.

Local reports said the gunfire erupted at about 8:30 a.m. local time (GMT 0230) as the BDR soldiers put forward their demands in a meeting with the officers. The reports said the soldiers were demanding higher salary and better facilities, saying their demand has been long-time ignored.

Residents close to the BDR Headquarters said they heard big sounds of scores of gun shots and mortar shells in the morning. They also saw smoke coming out of the Headquarters.

Army troops from Dhaka cantonment moved towards the BDR Headquarters in the western part of Dhaka city.

Xinhua reporters at the scene saw hundreds of army troops and police took position outside the BDR Headquarters on high alert while firing still continued intermittently inside the Headquarters.

Hospital sources in Dhaka Medical College Hospital told Xinhua that a rickshaw-puller died of bullet wounds while some of the injured, including university and college students and shop workers who were moving adjacent to the BDR Headquarters, are also suffering from stray bullets wounds.

Earlier, Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR), the military press wing, said in a press release that Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered talks with rebel soldiers.

The ISPR said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is in charge of the Defence Ministry is ready to listen to the demands of the rebel soldiers.

The ISPR said if the soldiers do not surrender their arms, stern action will be taken against them.

Just on Tuesday, Prime Minister Hasina visited the BDR headquarters and addressed the paramilitary forces on the occasion of BDR Week-2009, praising BDR personnel for their operation to save country's independence and sovereignty.

http://news.google.co.il/news?q=Dhaka%2 ... =en&tab=wn

[Sarevok]

I am safe since I live in the other side of the town which is about 20 km away. What worries me is how long will the curfew last and whether it will lead to excesses committed in name of maintaining peace and order. Frankly speaking I am more afraid of law enforcement due to their low accountability and tendency to randomly harass people. I have class tomorrow at uni and prospect of crossing the police checkpoints that exist on the route does scare me a little.

[rhoenix]

My thoughts are with you, Sarevok. Be safe.

[Bounty]

Why is this in Testing?

BBC News: on casualty so far

One person has been killed and at least six people have been wounded in a mutiny at border guards headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh, reports say.

Heavy fighting started at 0330 GMT and is still going on. An army helicopter patrolling above the barracks was fired at, and mortar rounds were also fired.

One soldier was heard addressing the mutineers by megaphone, saying they should fight the army "by any means".

It comes a day after PM Sheikh Hasina visited the HQ to hand out medals.

She is featured in photographs on the front page of some local newspapers, saluting the border guards.

Local media have speculated that the revolt is over pay and working conditions.

There is a heavy army and police presence at the scene, in the centre of the capital. The streets have been cleared and shops have been closed.

There has been no indication that this is a coup, says the BBC's correspondent in Dhaka, Mark Dummett, who is at the scene.

A government source told the BBC that a curfew would be announced later.

Complex sealed

One soldier was heard over a loud megaphone, saying: "Brothers, let's stay together. The army is trying to come in, and we will stop them by any means."

Officials at Dhaka's Medical College Hospital said one civilian had been killed. At least six people have also been wounded, although it is not clear whether any of them are soldiers.

A large plume of smoke can be seen rising above a conference room inside the barracks in the Pilkhana area of Dhaka, our correspondent says.

Local media reports say that is where the mutineers have locked up their officers.

Police were not being allowed to enter the complex.

There were reports that troops also stormed out of the complex and seized the nearby shopping centre.

The government is said to have urged the mutineers to lay down their arms.

[weemadando]

Stay safe man, and this is N&P worthy - after all this is a big regional issue for some of us.

[Ford Prefect]

Seriously Sarevok, don't somehow get shot.

[Surlethe]

Moved to N&P; I think this is newsworthy. But I forgot to change the title first ... .

Changed the title. - Lagmonster

[K. A. Pital]

Yeah, it's rather uncomfortable when people are shooting anywhere near where you live. I know what it's like, I hope you stay safe.

[Netko]

My thoughts are with you - like Stas, I'm unfortunately familiar with the phenomenon (see location). Stay inside and stay safe!

[Aratech]

I'll echo what the others say. Stay safe, man. Good luck.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Why the mutiny? Pay? Stupid officers? Disgruntled men hating the government? Also, how many of them?

[TithonusSyndrome]

I just got off Facebook with a friend of mine who attends North South University. Apparently he knew the families who were killed.

Best wishes to all Bangladeshi users, including you Sarevok.

[Dartzap]

Why the mutiny? Pay? Stupid officers? Disgruntled men hating the government? Also, how many of them?

Duff rations was something I heard earlier.

[Sarevok]

Why the mutiny? Pay? Stupid officers? Disgruntled men hating the government? Also, how many of them?

BDR is made of people who struggle to feed their families while a Bangladesh army officer can easily earn tens of thousands of dollars yearly. The BDR is however seen is a hardworking honest force while army has plenty of scandals and multiple coup records. Because of this BDR does not like being chained to command of regular army. What happened yesterday is not clear
yet. But word of mouth says during the reunion event taking place when many BDR from across Bangladesh arrived they presented some proposal for improving living conditions and salaries. The army staff in charge was apparently bit of an ass and got into heated arguments followed by gunshots. After that situation spiralled out of control.

Regarding numbers it is not clear. There is a lot of misinformation in the air and government seem to be pressuring media to keep an air of normalcy. Not a single mobile phone company sent a single SMS warning people even they spam shit ton of advertisements on every occasion. TV was mostly normal programming too. Many people were not aware that the Dhanmondi area turned into a warzone untill they literally drove into fighting several hours later.

[Sarevok]

I just got off Facebook with a friend of mine who attends North South University. Apparently he knew the families who were killed.

Best wishes to all Bangladeshi users, including you Sarevok.

I go to North South too. Turns out we are all taken by surprise. Even though it started at 8:30 am many students were oblivious upto mid day. People had no warnings and I dread to imagine how all the unlucky students living in the affected areas managed to return home.

[TithonusSyndrome]

Just goes to show how much we all take for granted here.

Way-out long shot here, but I may as well ask; you don't know Turjo, do you?

[Darth Yoshi]

Regarding numbers it is not clear. There is a lot of misinformation in the air and government seem to be pressuring media to keep an air of normalcy. Not a single mobile phone company sent a single SMS warning people even they spam shit ton of advertisements on every occasion. TV was mostly normal programming too. Many people were not aware that the Dhanmondi area turned into a warzone untill they literally drove into fighting several hours later.

Seriously? Holy shit, that's just criminal. I hope no one blunders into the fighting and killed.

[FSTargetDrone]

The mutiny is apparently over:

Page last updated at 17:14 GMT, Thursday, 26 February 2009

Bangladesh guard mutiny 'is over'

Bangladeshi border guards have ended their mutiny, surrendering weapons and freeing hostages, the government says.

A government spokesman, speaking from inside the compound in the capital, Dhaka, where the troops had been holding out, said the crisis was over.

The statement came after tanks surrounded the guards' barracks and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina threatened tough action unless they surrendered.

The mutiny began in Dhaka on Wednesday and spread around the country.

"All the rebel troops have surrendered with their arms and the process has been completed," Sheikh Hasina's spokesman Abul Kalam Azad said of the Dhaka mutineers.

He urged rebel troops outside the capital to lay down their arms as well.

The bodies of nine army officers have been recovered, apparently killed by the mutineers - military officials say many more officers are unaccounted for.

Nearly 50 people are thought to have died on Wednesday in clashes involving the regular army at the border guards' Dhaka headquarters.

The mutiny is believed to have been triggered by anger over pay and conditions.

Grievances

Earlier on Thursday, in a televised address to the nation, the prime minister called on the border guards in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) to abandon what she called their "suicidal action".

"Lay down your guns immediately and go back to barracks," she said.

"Do not force me to take tough actions or push my patience," she said.

The government offered the border guards a general amnesty, and the prime minister promised to look into the soldiers' grievances.

The BDR has nearly 70,000 men stationed at 42 camps across the country, including 40,000 on the borders.

The crisis began on Wednesday at about 0930 local time (0330 GMT) with heavy fighting. An army helicopter patrolling above the barracks was shot at and mortar rounds were also fired.

Spreading mutiny

By early Thursday, border guards in at least 12 different towns and cities were reported to have seized control of their barracks.

There were unconfirmed reports of gunfire in the main port city of Chittagong, at Feni, on the eastern border with India, in Rajshahi in the north west, and Sylhet in the north.

Similar incidents were reported in Chittagong, Cox's Bazaar, Feni and Khulna in the south.

The police chief in the north-eastern Moulivibazar district told the AFP news agency that the border guards were "firing indiscriminately".

In some cases, the border guards took their officers hostage, and in others they forced them to leave, reports said.

Some guards had begun laying down their arms on Thursday at their barracks in the Pilkhana area of Dhaka when heavy gunfire resumed.

Schools in the surrounding area were closed for the day and mobile phone service was suspended across the country in a bid to stop the rebellion spreading.

Indian border officials told the BBC that all the posts on the West Bengal border were closed, as were posts in the north-eastern state of Tripura.

[FSTargetDrone]

Just a quick follow-up story, there are quite a few bodies and not all have been found. Some may never be identified if their remains are found.

Page last updated at 15:37 GMT, Saturday, 28 February 2009

New Bangladesh graves discovered

A series of small graves have been found in Bangladesh at the scene of a mutiny by border guards this week which left scores of people dead and missing.

The army made the discovery in the border guards' headquarters in the capital, Dhaka, as they continued the search for dozens of missing officers.

It follows the discovery on Friday of a mass grave, thought to hold the bodies of 58 officers killed by the mutineers.

The mutiny ended when the government threatened to quell it by force.

With about 70 officers still unaccounted for, the death toll is uncertain.

The army has postponed the funerals of those who died until all the bodies have been found. The bodies of nine military officers and one woman, believed to the wife of the border force's commanding officer, were found on Saturday in a series of shallow graves inside the 5-sq-km headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles [BDR].

Many of the bodies had been badly burnt and were difficult to identify.

Teams of firefighters are looking for patches of freshly dug earth and the smell of dead bodies in the rose gardens, vegetable gardens and even the small zoo of the barracks in central Dhaka.

Navy divers with ropes tied around their waists were climbing down into the sewers where several bodies were earlier discovered.

One officer told the BBC that human remains had been found in a fire, raising concerns that many of the corpses might have been burnt.

He also said that most of the guardsmen, said to number several thousand, had been able to escape before their surrender on Thursday night, says the BBC's Mark Dummett at the compound.

Piles of uniforms, boots and helmets were dumped by the boundary walls. They either belonged to mutineers or to men who did not want anything to do with the mutiny, our correspondent added.

'Grisly acts'

At least 200 suspected mutineers have been arrested. They were held while trying to escape dressed in civilian clothes from the barracks.

Lt Gen MA Mubin, the army's second-in-command, said the killers would be punished.

"The BDR troops who took part in these barbaric and grisly acts cannot be pardoned and will not be pardoned," he said in a televised address, AFP reported.

"They will be given exemplary and quick punishment by a special tribunal. The martyrs will be buried with state honours."

The mutiny was reportedly triggered by a spontaneous row over pay and conditions, although some officials say the revolt may have been planned.

Late on Friday, the head of Bangladesh's armed forces pledged support for the government, despite reports of discontent among the military about the way authorities had handled the mutiny.

Three days of official mourning is being observed until midnight on Sunday.

Sounds like a goddamn nightmare:

Hunt for Bangladesh mutiny dead a grisly task

18 hours ago

DHAKA (AFP) — Bangladesh firefighter Arif Ullah reaches for a handkerchief and retches, overcome by a thick stench of bodies, as he combs a sprawling military compound for victims of a deadly mutiny by border guards.

The 25-year-old has worked on some grim jobs in his seven-year career as a firefighter in the Bangladeshi capital, but this is by far the most grisly task he has ever carried out.

"It's hot and it stinks," Ullah said, as flies buzzed around the flaps of green khaki tents erected over two mass graves into which many bodies had been hurled by the mutineers.

"But we've got to keep going. It's been three days since these guys were buried. They're badly decomposed."

Ullah is one of hundreds of firefighters, navy divers and soldiers searching the grounds of the headquarters of the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) after rank-and-file soldiers opened fire on senior army officers inside the compound on Wednesday in a revolt over pay.

The 33-hour standoff ended Thursday night with 137 officers missing.

Since then, a total of 76 bodies have been found.

Rescuers found dozens of corpses stuffed inside manholes, drains and sewers while 48 bodies were discovered buried in two graves that each measured about 20 feet by 10 (six metres by three metres).

One grave found Friday was deep and concealed by leaves. The other -- discovered Saturday -- was shallow and located in a tranquil, shaded garden plot.

Sheikh Mohammad Shahjalal, operations chief for fire services and civil defence, said the rescuers' difficulties have been compounded by the heat, with the mercury hovering around 30 degrees Celsius in the humid capital.

"We have to exercise extreme caution when removing these bodies because so many are disfigured," he said, as naval divers wrenched off manhole covers, checking for human remains in the sewers.

"Many bodies are mutilated," he said. "It's not just a matter of shovelling them out."

The killings erupted after long-simmering discontent among the BDR ranks over wages and working conditions boiled over. An average trooper earns about 70 dollars a month -- the equivalent to a lowly government clerk.

With a total force of nearly 70,000 troops, the BDR's main role is to patrol and secure Bangladesh's long, porous borders with India and Myanmar.

But Shahjalal, a hardened veteran of rescue operations in the impoverished Muslim-majority country that has been often hit by disasters -- natural and man-made -- says he is at a loss to explain the savagery of the killings.

"It's beyond comprehension how one human being could have done this to another. They not only shot them dead but some of the bodies were badly mutilated with bayonets."

Among the dead was Major General Shakil Ahmed, the head of the BDR who was gunned down in the compound's main Durbar Hall on Wednesday as he prepared to present troops with medals for bravery.

No prizes were handed out -- instead the room now is a scene of mayhem with trophies and medals lying on a blood-stained table, some punctured with bullet holes, and chairs and tables overturned.

Shahjalal promised to leave no stone unturned until all the missing are accounted for so a joint state funeral can be held.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

I could have almost sworn that someone could have egged the troops to the point of revolt, only to justify army intervention to get rid of the guards, or maybe to lead on to a coup...

But that's just my paranoia working here.

[ray245]

And to think I am supposed to go to Bangladesh for the Asian competition. Sigh, really wish things would be safe enough for the school to send us there.