Bangladesh Army detains 15 officers after war crimes warrants issued against 30 for enforced disappearances and torture during the Awami League regime, including ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and top DGFI officials, as tribunal probes crimes against humanity.
The Bangladesh Army announced on Saturday that it has taken 15 of its officers into custody following arrest warrants issued against a total of 30 individuals accused of involvement in enforced disappearances, torture, and other crimes against humanity. The warrants, issued by the International Crimes Tribunal earlier this week, mark one of the most significant military-related investigations in the country’s recent history.
Adjutant General Maj Gen Md Hakimuzzaman confirmed the development during a media briefing at Army Headquarters, saying the arrests followed the tribunal’s acceptance of prosecution charges in two separate cases. These cases involve allegations of abduction and torture of political dissidents during the previous Awami League regime.
According to tribunal sources, 17 of the accused were allegedly linked to torture at the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) Taskforce Interrogation (TFI) Cell, while 13 others were implicated in abuses at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) — both notorious for their roles in detentions during politically turbulent periods.
Among those charged are several high-profile figures, including deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her former defence and security adviser retired Maj Gen Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and five former heads of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). The inclusion of such senior figures has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh’s political and military circles, raising questions about the depth of accountability and the army’s cooperation with the judicial process.
Maj Gen Hakimuzzaman revealed that 25 of the 30 accused are serving or former army officers, while nine are retired, one is on post-retirement leave (LPR), and 15 remain in active service. “After the chargesheets were filed on October 8, 16 personnel in service or on LPR were instructed to report to Army Headquarters,” he said. “Notices were issued for their appearance by October 9.”
He confirmed that 15 officers complied with the directive and were taken into military custody. “They have been separated from their families and placed under supervision,” Hakimuzzaman stated. However, one officer, Maj Gen Kabir Ahmed, has reportedly gone missing.
“Maj Gen Kabir Ahmed left home on the morning of October 9, saying he was going to consult a lawyer, but has not returned since. His phone remains unreachable,” Hakimuzzaman explained. “Except for Maj Gen Kabir Ahmed, the remaining 15 officers complied and were taken into custody.”
Kabir Ahmed, who previously served as director of both the Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau (CTIB) and DGFI, is now considered “illegally absent” by the army. The military has launched an extensive manhunt, with alerts sent to intelligence agencies and border authorities.
“After learning of his disappearance, we contacted his family and alerted all relevant agencies — including DGFI, NSI, BGB, and airport and seaport authorities — to ensure he does not leave the country illegally,” Hakimuzzaman said. “We have also sent personnel to his home district in Netrokona to trace him.”
The Adjutant General emphasized that the Bangladesh Army was committed to upholding justice and cooperating fully with the International Crimes Tribunal. “These allegations are grave. The institution will not shield anyone proven guilty of crimes against humanity,” he said.
Observers note that this is the first time in recent memory that so many military officers have been simultaneously taken into custody by their own institution in connection with crimes against humanity. The move reflects a rare moment of transparency and accountability within Bangladesh’s armed forces, though it also highlights deep divisions within the power structures that once supported the Awami League government.
The International Crimes Tribunal, established to investigate historical and recent abuses, has intensified its scrutiny of alleged human rights violations that took place under previous regimes. Legal experts say the cases could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape and redefine the army’s relationship with civilian governance.
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As the investigation unfolds, attention now turns to whether the tribunal will move swiftly to prosecute the accused and how the army’s internal disciplinary process will interact with the judicial proceedings. For now, 15 officers remain under military custody, 15 others are being sought, and one — Maj Gen Kabir Ahmed — is still missing.
