DHAKA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh on Wednesday observed the National Martyred Army Day to commemorate scores of army officers killed during a mutiny inside the headquarters of the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh, previously known as Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid homage to the martyrs of the 2009 BDR carnage by placing wreaths at a military graveyard in the capital Dhaka.
After placing wreaths, the president and the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time, showing their respect for the slain military officers.
Special prayers and programs were held in cantonments and their associated offices and organizations in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.
The Bangladeshi interim government in February last year declared Feb. 25 as National Martyred Army Day to commemorate the slain army officers.
A total of 74 people, including 57 army officials, were killed at BDR's headquarters on Feb. 25-26 in 2009.
On the first day of the two-day mutiny, the then-head of BDR, Major General Shakil Ahmed, was shot dead by mutineers. ■