One of the darkest and most bloody chapters in Bangladesh’s political history unfolded during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In particular, the rule of military dictator General Ziaur Rahman (1975–1981) was defined by relentless, bloody conflict within the armed forces. In recent times, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, ICT Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, cast fresh light upon this long-standing political and historical ambiguity. In an extensive review, he asserted that at least 26 coups or coup attempts occurred within the military during Zia’s tenure, resulting in the loss of nearly two and a half thousand military officers and soldiers.
Hidden behind this grim reality lies not only the extreme brutality of the ruling regime of that era, but also a calculated conspiracy to erase historical evidence.
Table of Contents
1. A Relentless Succession of Coups and Bloodshed (1975–1981)
Historians and researchers hold varying perspectives regarding the precise number of military coups that transpired during Ziaur Rahman’s regime. While several historical accounts place the figure at 26, certain researchers estimate it at 21. Nevertheless, minor numerical discrepancies cannot obscure the grim reality.
Among this long procession of coups, the largest and most far-reaching incident occurred on 2nd October 1977. History preserves the most extensive documentation regarding this single coup and the sheer savagery unleashed under the guise of its suppression. The remaining 20 to 25 coups remain shrouded to this day behind a veil of mysterious ambiguity.
On that bloody day in October 1977, over a hundred military officers lost their lives on the spot. Many fell in direct combat while attempting to quell the uprising. Yet the most horrific tragedy unfolded in the days following the coup’s suppression. Under the guise of justice, farcical tribunals were convened, resulting in the summary execution of hundreds of military personnel. Synthesizing data from various reliable sources and research, the collective death toll approaches nearly two and a half thousand.
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Over 1,300 Military Personnel and Soldiers: Executed with swift brutality purely through hanging or firing squads.
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The Remaining 1,200+ Personnel: No documentary evidence or official record of their deaths survives in state archives today. From that time to the present, they remain classified by their families simply as ‘missing’.
After a lapse of 45 years, on 16th September of last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the compilation of a comprehensive list of military officers killed during Zia’s regime in her closing address at the 14th session of the National Parliament. Yet questions have arisen: to what extent is it possible to compile a flawless list after so many years? Most eye-witnesses of that era are no longer alive, and allegations regarding the destruction of state documentary evidence are long-standing.
2. Erasing Historical Evidence: Destruction and Burning of Documents
The primary challenge surrounding the mass executions and extrajudicial killings of Zia’s regime lies in the paucity of evidence—largely because subsequent ruling regimes systematically wiped these records from state archives.
Renowned journalist and researcher Zayeul Ahsan Pintu conducted an extensive investigation into this matter. In his view, while the task is formidable, it is by no means impossible. Drawing from his years of research, he notes:
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Uncovering 19 Coups: Through personal investigations spanning five years, he uncovered specific details regarding at least 19 distinct coups. However, no single consolidated list of the deceased was maintained within any single department; the records remain scattered.
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Conspiracy to Destroy Records: Across both the Zia and subsequent Ershad regimes, documents and archives detailing these extrajudicial killings and culture of impunity were deliberately burned and destroyed. Nevertheless, possibilities remain that certain documentary evidence survives in private collections or forgotten archives.
According to Zayeul Ahsan Pintu, now is the opportune moment to establish a high-powered ‘Fact-Finding Commission’. Alongside combing through records, this commission would record primary testimony and oral accounts from surviving eye-witnesses and families of the martyrs.
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An independent commission headed by a former Chief Justice or Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, comprising former police officials, lawyers, journalists, and researchers.
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A powerful Parliamentary Committee.
However, this commission must be vested with extraordinary legal powers (High-Powered), enabling it to subpoena any influential figure, former Chief of Army Staff, or former Prime Minister for information, compelling them to remain accountable.
3. Prolonged Neglect and Assessments by Researchers
A long-standing apathy has persisted within political and intellectual circles regarding this national tragedy. Author and journalist Anwar Kabir lamented that demands for an independent commission of inquiry into the mass purges and executions within the armed forces during Zia’s rule are far from new. When the Awami League assumed office in 1996 after a prolonged hiatus, this demand was raised in the National Parliament. Subsequently, drawing upon his published works, Members of Parliament raised the issue on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, to this day, no commission has been constituted, nor has any official list or state recognition been accorded to the sacrifices of those ill-fated soldiers.
Renowned author and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad, however, offered a more hopeful perspective. In his view, if the government demonstrates genuine political willpower, compiling a comprehensive list will not prove insurmountable. His reasoning holds:
“Records of virtually every single incident remain preserved within various intelligence agencies or government departments. In particular, for those who were executed by hanging, specific death records ought to exist within the country’s central jails (such as Dhaka, Bogura, Cumilla, and Rajshahi Central Jails). Should the government desire, consolidating this information into a single repository is entirely achievable.”
Shattering the Culture of Impunity
Executing or making thousands of soldiers disappear in the dead of night within the armed forces of an independent, sovereign state—devoid of due process and purely to retain power—remains a profound stain upon civilized society. Unmasking the true architects behind the 26 coups of Ziaur Rahman’s era, as well as distinguishing those who were innocent victims of political machinations, remains an urgent necessity.
Delayed though it may be, if a robust ‘Fact-Finding Commission’ is not constituted now, even the final surviving witnesses to this history will vanish within the next decade. To present authentic history to future generations and to preserve the armed forces above controversy for all time, prosecuting these ‘military purges’ and publishing a comprehensive roster stands as an imperative of our time.