Heartbreaking Loss: Six Brave Peacekeepers Arrive for Final Farewell

The nation mourns as the bodies of six valiant Bangladeshi peacekeepers, martyred in a brutal drone attack, have returned home. The tragic incident occurred at a United Nations peacekeeping base in Abyei, Sudan, when a terrorist drone strike targeted the Kadugli Logistics Base on 13th December. These heroes, serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Abyei (UNISFA), paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

On Saturday, their remains were flown back to Bangladesh aboard an Emirates Airlines flight, landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Receiving the fallen were Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim, Chief of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army, alongside senior military and civilian officials, including the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Acting UN Resident Representative in Bangladesh, representatives of the UNISFA Force Commander in Abyei, the Chief Community Liaison Officer, the Director General (UN) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Director of Overseas Operations at Army Headquarters.

During the solemn reception, all attendees observed a minute of silence in respect and honour for the six fallen soldiers. Military personnel then performed a Guard of Honour as a mark of tribute to their supreme sacrifice. The Bangladesh Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the funeral prayers will be held today at the Central Mosque of Dhaka Cantonment. Following the Janaza, the bodies will be flown by helicopter to their respective home districts for burial with full military honours.

The six martyrs have been identified as Corporal Md. Masud Rana of Natore, Soldiers Md. Mominul Islam and Shanto Mondol of Kurigram, Soldier Shamim Reza of Rajbari, Mess Waiter Mohammad Jahangir Alam of Kishoreganj, and Laundry Staff Md. Sabuj Mia of Gaibandha. Several colleagues were injured in the attack, including Lieutenant Colonel Khondkar Khalekuzzaman of Kushtia, Sergeant Md. Mostakim Hossain of Dinajpur, Corporal Afroza Parvin Iti of Dhaka, Lance Corporal Mohibul Islam of Barguna, Soldier Md. Mezboul Kabir of Kurigram, Soldier Mosa Umme Hani Akhtar of Rangpur, Soldier Chumki Akhtar of Manikganj, and Soldier Md. Manazir Ahsan of Noakhali.

The incident has cast a sombre shadow over the nation, underlining the dangers faced by Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving abroad. As the country honours its fallen heroes, their families, friends, and the armed forces unite in grief and reverence for their sacrifice, symbolising the unwavering commitment of Bangladesh to global peace and stability.