On February 23, 2025, the government officially decided to recognize February 25 as "National Martyred Soldiers' Day" to commemorate the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, in which 57 army officers and 74 others were killed. A gazette notification declaring the day will be issued today.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid confirmed the news to the media, stating that this year will mark the first observance of the day. However, it will not be a public holiday.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense sent a letter to the Cabinet Secretary requesting approval to observe February 25 as National Martyred Soldiers' Day. The letter, signed by Deputy Secretary Raheena Islam, mentioned that the Defense and Chief Advisor, Dr Muhammad Yunus, had given the go-ahead for the observance.
An official mentioned that only the gazette notification is left to be issued. The families of the soldiers killed in the Pilkhana massacre have welcomed the government's decision.
In addition to the declaration of February 25 as National Martyred Soldiers' Day, the families of the victims have long been advocating for several demands.
Advocate Sakib Rahman, the son of Colonel Kudrat Ilahi, who was killed in the massacre, shared with the media: "Since 2013, we, the families of the martyrs, have been asking for two things: one is the formation of an independent investigation commission to reveal the conspirators behind the incident and bring them to justice, and the other is the declaration of a Martyrs' Day in honour of the fallen officers."
He further expressed, "If the government declares the day as a national observance, I believe that, after years of struggle, we, the families of the martyrs, have won half of our battle."
