Bangladesh: Border Guards Revolt, gunfire continuing
Heavy Gunfights continuing inside the Bangladesh Rifles [BDR] Headquarters in the capital from this [Wednesday] morning. Mutinous Bangladesh border guards opened fire at their headquarters in the capital and seized a nearby shopping mall, injuring several people in an insurrection apparently sparked by pay disputes. According to latest information, army may begin heavy offensives at any time. Dozens of army officers held hostage inside Bangladesh Rifles Head Quarters alongwith members of their family, including children.
Artillery and riffles are firing. There is also gun battle between Rapid Action Battalion [RAB] and Bangladesh Riffles. Contingent of Armed Forces moving to control the situation.
Gunshots and mortar shells boomed at the well-guarded complex of the Bangladesh Rifles, surrounded by busy shopping malls, colleges and residential buildings.
At least thirty army officers have been killed and dozens have been held hostage, claimed a source.
Heavy weapons like cannons have been used to damage some buildings, while the soldiers driving armoured vehicles were shooting at any attempt of the Rab or the Bangladesh Army to enter the BDR perimeter. They even fired at some television crews.
With all of its five gates closed, hundreds of soldiers wearing red bandana and partly covering their faces with yellow clothes were seen staging armed processions in front of the gatesletting the people know that they were angry. Thousands of army personnel have encircled the BDR headquarters and are advancing slowly with firing gunshots.
We have been deprived for a long time, we have deep grievances, the soldiers chanted as their slogans.
BDR soldiers came out of their barracks and seized a conference hall where officers were meeting. Soldiers of the Bangladesh Rifles, the official name of the country's border guards, chanted slogans for more pay and better facilities. They are also firing at the helicopters on patrol.
The fighting occurred a day after newly elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the headquarters and addressed the troops, urging them to become "more disciplined and remain ever ready to guard the country's frontiers."
The Bangladesh Rifles [BDR] is a paramilitary force, responsible for primarily guarding the country's borders. The force, more than 65,000-strong, also takes part in other operations, such as monitoring polls. The force's headquarters are in Dhaka, but it has several outposts along the borders.
Scores of civilisnd injured in front of the Bangladesh Riffles headquarters. Fire smoke billowing out of the BDR compound. Helicopters circling above the BDR headquarters.
Our correspondent said, there is strong rumor that the director general of Bangladesh Riffles, Major General Shakil Ahmed Chowdhury was already killed by the revolting troops.
Mobile phone communications within the area snatched. There is indication of imposing curfew in Dhaka city any time.
Ruling party [Awami League] leader Mirza Azam, MP [brother-in-law of Jamaatul-Mujahedin Bangladesh kingpin Shaikh Abdur Rahman's brother-in-law] and Jahangir Kabir Nanak are trying to talk to the revolting BDR troops. But, sensing the presence of Awami League leaders, BDR troops have intensified gunfire.
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