Bangladesh launches fresh inquiry into 2009 military uprising

The 2009 Bangladesh mutiny saw BDR forces steal weapons and launch a deadly killing spree within their headquarters

Bangladesh has established a commission to reinvestigate the failed 2009 army mutiny and the subsequent crackdown, focusing on the alleged involvement of "foreign" entities, according to international media reports.

ALM Fazlur Rahman, head of the inquiry commission, announced the probe on Thursday, aiming to uncover the extent of external influence in the events that left scores dead and shook the South Asian nation.

The 2009 mutiny saw members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) paramilitary force steal thousands of weapons from their headquarters and launch a killing spree within the barracks.

The violence escalated as thousands of soldiers joined the mutineers, pledging allegiance before the army crushed the uprising. Scores were arrested, with many handed death sentences or lengthy prison terms in subsequent trials.

A prior investigation attributed the mutiny to long-standing grievances among rank-and-file soldiers, who had reportedly faced poor treatment and stagnant wages.

However, that probe was conducted during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as prime minister, a period now under scrutiny following her ousting in August and subsequent exile to India.

Families of soldiers killed in the mutiny have since pushed for a fresh inquiry, accusing Hasina of using the crisis to weaken the military and consolidate her power.

Protesters have also alleged that India, a close ally of Hasina, played a role in the plot—a claim that could strain already tense relations between Dhaka and New Delhi. India has yet to respond to the allegations.

"We aim to determine whether any foreign entity was involved in the carnage, as allegations of national and international conspiracy have been raised," Rahman stated during a press briefing.

The aftermath of the mutiny saw thousands of soldiers tried in special military courts, with the process drawing criticism from the United Nations for failing to meet international standards. Despite the controversy, Hasina’s government, with backing from India, maintained a firm grip on power.

Now, at 77 years old, Hasina remains in India, further complicating relations between the two neighbors. Earlier this week, Bangladesh formally requested India's assistance in extraditing Hasina to face charges of "massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity.