Military plot to overthrow Hasina foiled: Army

[Oracle]

A "heinous" plot to overthrow the Awami League-led government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina [ Images ] by some serving military officers has been foiled and two former officers have been arrested, the Bangladesh army said on Thursday.

"Specific information (evidence) has been unearthed that some officers in active military service have been involved in the conspiracy to topple the system of democratic governance through the army," army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Masud Razzak said.

"Some unruly and derailed military officers have been actively engaged in the execution of the heinous conspiracy through maintaining contacts with fugitive Maj Zia (Syed Mohammad Ziaul Huq) by mobile phones and Internet," the spokesman told reporters at a crowded press conference in Dhaka.

Brigadier Razzak said that 14 to 16 officers were under vigil as investigations were underway on the their suspected involvement while the detained two former officers "bluntly admitted their role in the plot".

"Stringent legal measures will be taken against the persons involved in the conspiracy after proper investigation," he said.

He declined to comment on the details of the plot or the suspects but said they all were officers of "middle level".

The officer on the run was a major and of the arrested two, one was a former lieutenant colonel and another was a major.

The Awami League led by Hasina assumed power in 2009 after the landmark victory in the 2008 December general elections. The spokesman said the initial investigations found non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) link to the plot while at least one of the officers, the fugitive major, was linked to banned Hizbut Tahrir.

Bangladesh has a long history of coups and counter coups while the country was under direct or pseudo military rules for over a decade, since August 15, 1975, when the country's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family members.

Razzak said banking on the army in the past, "different evil forces availed political gains and made abortive attempts to do so but as an institution, military still has to bear the stigma".

The alleged plot to overthrow the Awami League-led government came more than year after five military officers were sentenced to five years of imprisonment in a court-martial for their "involvement" in attempted murder of Fazle Noor Taposh, the influential nephew of Hasina, after the bloody 2009 mutiny by the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) frontier force in 2009.

Rediff

 

[The Messiah]

They should be hanged for treason.

 

[Ray]

The legacy of the Pakistan Army will continue to haunt Bangladesh!

 

[ejazr]

Bangladesh army 'foils coup' against Sheikh Hasina

BBC News - Bangladesh army 'foils coup' against Sheikh Hasina

The Bangladesh army says it has foiled a coup planned against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Military spokesman Masud Razzaq said in a statement that the attempt had been thwarted by the "whole-hearted efforts of army soldiers".

He said the officers planning the coup were in active military service and had "extreme religious views".

Bangladesh has a history of military governments. The army ran the country for 15 years until 1990.

Sheikh Hasina took over power from a military-backed caretaker government in early 2009. Officials say she has since faced threats from Islamists and other radical groups.

The BBC's Ethirajan Anbarasan in Dhaka says that this could prove to be the first major challenge to the government of Sheikh Hasina since the revolt by Bangladeshi border guards in February 2009.

'Heinous conspiracy'

"A band of fanatic officers had been trying to oust the politically established government. Their attempt has been foiled," Brig Gen Razzaq said.

He said that "specific information has been unearthed" that some officers in military service - who had been identified - were involved in the December conspiracy.

He said that a group of up to 16 hardline Islamist military officers - including at least two retired officers - were involved.

Some had been detained, he said, and would be presented before a military court.

Brig Gen Razzaq said that the "heinous conspiracy" was instigated by Bangladeshi conspirators living abroad.

In 2009, Bangladeshi paramilitary forces staged a revolt soon after Sheikh Hasina took office. It began in Dhaka and spread to other cities.

More than 70 people were killed, including 51 army officers, before it was crushed.

Correspondents say that last year's changes to the constitution - to make it more secular - by the government of Sheikh Hasina angered hardliners, even though Islam was retained as the state religion.

The move sparked a series of angry demonstrations by Islamist activists.

 

[Sridhar]

Islamist link to foiled anti-India coup plot in Bangladesh?

NEW DELHI: In what sent shockwaves in both Bangladesh and the Indian security establishment, the army in India's neighbouring state claimed to have foiled an attempt by some of its officers, apparently driven by religious considerations, to overthrow Sheikh Hasina's government.

Government sources here confirmed that those held for the attempted coup were "anti-India'' and wanted to undo the changes effected by the Hasina government last year in the Constitution to make it more secular.

Indian agencies have had inputs about a possible coup in Bangladesh for the past few days.

While two retired officers, Lt Col Ehsan Yusuf and Major Zakir, have been arrested, some of the main conspirators are believed to be based abroad, said agency reports from Bangladesh. They are said to have links with the 2009 mutiny, only two months after Hasina took over, by Bangladesh Rifles which first exposed the stray extremist elements in the army.

Brig Gen Muhammed Masud Razzaq told a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday that the military had specific evidence that up to 16 current and former Bangladeshi officers were involved in the conspiracy, said an AP report.

The foiled coup bid in Bangladesh which came to light on Thursday is worrying for India as it has again brought to light simmering discontent among the Islamists against the friendly Sheikh Hasina government. India not only managed to sign a landmark agreement for complete demarcation of the land boundary last year but, under Hasina, Dhaka has also tried to ensure that its territory is not used to carry out terror strikes against New Delhi.

"Stringent legal measures will be taken against persons involved in the conspiracy after proper investigations," Brig Gen Muhammed Masud Razzaq told a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday. "Banking on the army in the past, different evil forces availed political gains and made abortive attempts to do so but as an institution, military still has to bear the stigma," he added.

Razzak told reporters that "some unruly and derailed military officers have been actively engaged in the execution of the heinous conspiracy through maintaining contacts with fugitive Maj Zia (Syed Mohammad Ziaul Huq) by mobile phones and internet". He said the initial investigations found non-resident Bangladeshis' (NRB) link to the plot while at least one of the officers, the fugitive major, was linked to banned Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir. Brigadier Razzak said that 14 to 16 officers were under vigil as investigations were underway on the suspected involvement while the detained two former officers "bluntly admitted their role in the plot".

Hasina had banned Islamic militant groups after taking office in 2009 and has warned in recent speeches that such groups are "conspiring against her elected government. Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy since 1990, has witnessed two presidents slain in military coups and 19 other failed coup attempts.

Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in the country's first military coup in 1975.
Growing bonhomie

India and Bangladesh last year signed a landmark agreement, paving the way for complete demarcation of land boundary and also managed to resolve the vexed issue of enclaves

There is greater trade and investment, with India too being more generous with tariffs

The sore point remains the Teesta river agreement that has failed to materialize because of opposition from West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee.



BSF formally handed over a list of 46 Indian insurgent camps in Bangladesh to Dhaka and security agencies maintain that Bangladesh has been positive in addressing India's security concerns

Hasina expressed her government's readiness to set up power plants in India's north-east and boost trade with India, Nepal and Bhutan

Hasina announced Bangladesh would allow India to use Chittagong and Mongla sea ports as it wanted to improve all types of communication facilities

Islamist link to foiled anti-India coup plot in Bangladesh? - The Times of India

 

[ejazr]

I would be almost certain that the Pakistani Army / ISI would certainly have had some sort of hand or atleast prior knowledge of this happening.

The fact that it has been foiled is good news but Sheikh Hasina would be redoubling her efforst to maintain her hold on the Army

 

[Bhadra]

Firstly, why does Bangladesh require such big Army? A defence pact with India is good enough and sufficiently large Army to act as the ultimate instrument of state for Internal Tasks. Even if they have fears from India, they do not required such big Army of Tanks heavy guns etc unless it is meant to supplement Indian efforts in Siliguri Corridor (or for that matter the Chinese efforts). They have only a minor dispute with Myanmar.

I think Bangladeshi generals need to think over it.

Secondly, Bangldesh needs to strengthen roots of democracy and liberalism and stem the rot set in by the Jamaities.

 

[Bhadra]

How come Army is making headlines in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh !! Of Course for different reasons.

 

[Oracle]

Bangladesh Nationalist Party behind coup plot: Hasina

Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has accused the "desperate" opposition of "plotting" against her government after the army foiled a coup plot by some "fanatic" serving and retired military officers.
Criticising Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the ruling Awami League president said the opposition was plotting against her government. "They are desperate to spoil the democratic process on the pretext of movement. They are threatening the government to protect the war criminals," bdnews24 quoted Hasina as saying.

Zia is pressing Hasina to reinstate the caretaker government system to oversee elections, scrapped last year by the government through a constitution amendment in line with a Supreme Court verdict. But Hasina warned, "Making threats will not help much. The government will not bow before their threats."

Hasina said hundreds of people had to die in the politics of coups and murder. "I don't want to hear mothers crying [over losing their children]. I want democracy and peace," she said during a meeting with her party's Khagrachhari district unit leaders at at her official residence in the city.

Her remarks came soon after the Bangladesh army on Thursday said, "A band of fanatic officers had been trying to oust the politically established government. Their attempt has been foiled."

The report comes as the government begins trial against alleged mastermind of war crimes suspect and former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam and other top leaders of the party, which is a crucial ally of the main opposition BNP.

Hasina's government, which came to power in early 2009, has faced repeated threats from hardline groups.

Bangladesh has a long history of coups and counter coups. The country was under direct or pseudo military rules for over a decade, since August 15, 1975, when the country's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family members. Hasina said after the assassination of the father of the nation in 1975, elements in the army had staged around 18 to 19 coups, in which thousands of people had to die, Daily Star reported.

"Who are the beneficiary of the politics of killings and coups?" questioned Hasina. It is mainly the armed forces officers and soldiers who were killed in those coups, said Hasina.

Rediff

 

[Ray]

Too many Islamists and pro Pakistani elements and the remnants of the Pakistan Army are there!

While Owasssi criticises India and its democratic liberalism as being unfair to the Muslims, he may like to look at the Islamic countries, where secularism, even advocated by Muslims is not tolerated.

An eye opener that should be a lesson to all!

In majority, it is Islam all the way.

In minority, demand rights, privileges and so on!

 

[Oracle]

I actually saw it coming!

BNP and the Jaamat-e-Islami have many overseas supporters who fund in money and radicalism into Bangladesh, having seen some myself. Religious fundamentalists to the core.

 

[ejazr]

The coup plot seem pretty amateur and why do they allow Hizb - ut Tahrir members in the Bangladeshi army anyways? The organisation is well known for its extremist political Islamic thought and would be a red herring. Its banned even in Pakistan and almost all Arab countries.

BNP or JI don't seem to have any idea of this according to this report.


Delhi "tip-off" helped foil coup
New Delhi, Jan. 20: Tip-offs from Indian intelligence helped foil the coup plot in Bangladesh, sources in Dhaka said today as police arrested five members of banned Islamic group Hizb-ut-Tahrir, accused of supporting the army conspirators.

Officials in Delhi refused to confirm the claim.

The Dhaka sources said India had been keenly watching the developments in Bangladesh, especially because of indications that Sheikh Hasina's government could be on a sticky wicket in the end-2013 general election.

It was a raft of anti-government posts on social networking sites put up by the alleged coup mastermind, Major Syed Mohammad Ziaul Huq, which apparently alerted Indian intelligence.

"Delhi is bound to go on high alert if the web buzzes with the dissent of army officers in a neighbouring state. It is in India's interests that Hasina stays in power," a political analyst in Dhaka said.

Delhi reacted quickly and Dhaka was even quicker. Although news of the plot, hatched by mid-level retired and serving army officers, became public only yesterday, several key plotters had been nabbed by mid-December.

Ziaul was detained but fled, apparently after two days, and posted his account of his interrogation and "torture" on Facebook and other sites, exhorting fellow officers to help oust the government.

In an email sent to people known to him, Ziaul has claimed that intelligence officials abducted him from Savar and "took me to an unknown place where foreign intelligence officials were present".

The Hizb-ut-Tahrir was meanwhile distributing leaflets on the "Tale of Maj. Ziaul Huq" that said: "Patriotic army officers, the incumbent government has killed your colleagues." Today, the police's elite Rapid Action Battalion arrested five Tahrir members from Dhaka.

Sources close to Hasina said the Awami League leader, who has survived two attempts on her life, was calm when she was briefed about the plot.

"She is a survivor. She knew all along what was happening but spoke to us just like any other day," said a journalist and close friend of the Premier. "Of course, her security has been beefed up at home and at her office, but she has maintained her usual routine. She is happy that the army is still pro-democracy."

 

[Ray]

Notwithstanding, Islamists sponsored by Pakistan and funded by the Saudis are at work!

The atrocities of the Pakistan army is fading since the young have not experienced it.

Religion, as always, is being used to isolate Bangladesh from the world realities and deepen the schism.

Does not sound PC, but that is the unfortunate reality that is reinforced by the virulent Wahhabism that is gripping the Islamic world with the Saudi endless largesse!

It is teh Wahhabis who are at work!

India is also at fault.

India must go the mile, if they don't want the Wahhabis dominating Bangladesh!

 

[Galaxy]

According to Bangladeshi online posters, Hasina will lose the election in 2013 general election very badly because she is pro-India and BNP + Jamaat will come in power.

So, In any case......Hasina is not permanently ruling the country. What will happen when BNP, Jamaat will be in power ?

 

[Oracle]

According to Bangladeshi online posters, Hasina will lose the election in 2013 general election very badly because she is pro-India and BNP + Jamaat will come in power.

So, In any case......Hasina is not permanently ruling the country. What will happen when BNP, Jamaat will be in power ?

Nothing. The world will keep on moving. No one gives a damn about an island sized country.

With respect to India, the Indian security establishment will be edgy and cautious. And even if Khaleda Zia comes to power, she would have a lot to prove in terms of development to the younger generation of Bangladesh. She cannot always run to China, Pakistan is a lost case in terms of economic development/investment, and thereby in time would tone down when it comes to India. The truth is, everybody wants a piece of the pie and not want to be seen lagging in terms of development.

 

[Ray]

The US is keenly observing Bangladesh and are not comfortable with the rise of Wahhabism there.

The US is also not too shy about ensuring that their own 'favourite' is the head of a country. One has to see the various Colour, Flower revolutions that have happened and the Spring Revolution that is underway.

Due to the moderate form of Islamic belief that is prevalent in Bangladesh, the country is valued for its "strong secular and democratic heritage" and is a key state in Asia where the United States can try to engage the Muslim world in its struggle against militant Islamists.4 Bangladesh and the
United States have a common interest in working to counter extremist Islamists and their ideology.

Bangladesh is situated at the northern extreme of the Bay of Bengal and could potentially be a state of increasing interest in the evolving strategic dynamics between India and China. This importance could be accentuated by the development of Bangladesh's energy reserves and by
regional energy and trade routes to China and India.

Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has established a reputation as a largely moderate and democratic majority Muslim country. This status has, however, been under threat. When in opposition, both parties have sought to regain control of the government through demonstrations, labor strikes, and transport blockades. The BNP likely will increasingly use such tactics, as it lacks sufficient representation in parliament at present to mount any substantial opposition to the government in that body. This makes continued control of the military a key aspect of stability for the AL in order to maintain control of the streets.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41194.pdf

 

[JAISWAL]

India tip-off foils coup to dislodge Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

the old thread on bengladesh coup foiled by army is not accepting any new post thats why i had created this thread.
Old Thread~~~ http://defenceforumindia.com/intern...litary-plot-overthrow-hasina-foiled-army.html
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Please mearze them.
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Sheikh Hasina: India tip-off foils coup to dislodge Bangladesh Prime Minister | Mail Online .
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India tip-off foils coup to dislodge Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Attempt by rebels to oust Sheikh Hasina is thwarted

By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury
20th January 2012


India has helped Bangladesh avert what could have been reminiscent of the bloody military takeover in the wake of the assassination of the country's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, more than 36 years ago.

An attempt by rebels in the Bangladesh army, with the help of 'a foreign power', to stage a coup to dislodge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was foiled.

Though the news of the failed attempt was made public on Thursday, the plot is believed to have been unearthed last month. A military court of inquiry was set up on December.

The Bangladesh army has assured stern legal measures against all masterminds and conspirators.
Senior minister and Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam has vowed to punish the conspirators.

Sources said a reported tip-off from India helped the army preempt the bid by middle-ranking serving officers with active support from retired armymen.

It is believed that New Delhi alerted the Hasina government, which enabled the Bangladesh army to trace the plotters by tracking the cell phone call records.

Acting swiftly, the government arrested retired officers Lt-Col Ehsan Yusuf and Major Zakir. Army spokesperson Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq said the duo had 'admitted to their role in the plot'.

The army is also pointing to the role of banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut- Tahrir. But the key plotter, Major Syed Mohammad Ziaul Huq alias Zia, a serving officer, is absconding.
He was allegedly in touch with the serving officers through cell phone and internet to hatch the conspiracy.The role of Major- General Kamruzzman is also under the scanner. He may have been put under house arrest.

Brigadier Razzaq said at the instigation of some nonresident Bangladeshis, some serving as well as retired officers with 'extreme religious views have tried to create disorder in the army riding on the religious sentiments of other officers'.'Such heinous attempts are being foiled by the army,' he stressed at a press conference on Thursday. Brigadier Razzaq said Major Zia tried to provoke a 'senior officer into using the army against the state and democracy'.

The officer informed the appropriate authorities and Zias leave and transfer order was cancelled.

But he did not return to work and is still engaged in trying to organise subversive activities.

As many as 14 to 16 people are believed to be linked to the coup attempt.Though the army did not name the 'foreign power' that is suspected to have a hand, it is understood that Bangladesh is closely monitoring the recent visit of a senior Pakistani diplomat to Kolkata.

Hardliners and Islamists in Bangladesh and their supporters in the army are believed to be wary of the countrys close relations with India since Hasinas return to power in 2009.

Sources said the ongoing war crime trial of top Jamaat-e-Islami leadership, who collaborated with the Pakistan army in 1971, could also be a reason behind the coup attempt.The Jamaats link with Pakistan is no secret.

 

[lemontree]

If the Indian intelligence agencies assisted in alerting the Bangla govt, then it is a sign that our chaps are not sleeping. The changed BD relationship towards India is very important and should be safeguarded. Although the initial blame will vector towards the ISI-Jamat-e-Islami, but ultimately this would have initiation from China.

Good job done by our spooks.:thumb:

 

[Iamanidiot]

If the Indian intelligence agencies assisted in alerting the Bangla govt, then it is a sign that our chaps are not sleeping. The changed BD relationship towards India is very important and should be safeguarded. Although the initial blame will vector towards the ISI-Jamat-e-Islami, but ultimately this would have initiation from China.

Good job done by our spooks.:thumb:

@Lemontree sir

Sisir-Gupta of Hindustan times who writes the Insider story coloumn is saying that India was quite unaware of the coup and was caught offguard

 

[Yusuf]

I always thought RAW was behind it. We have quite a lot at stake in BD.