Six Coffins Wrapped in Red and Green Flag En Route to Dhaka from Sudan

The bodies of six Bangladesh Army personnel, who were tragically killed during a terrorist drone attack while serving in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan, are being brought to Dhaka on Saturday, December 20. The fallen soldiers will be honored with proper state funeral ceremonies upon their return to their homeland.

According to sources, the plane carrying the bodies of the six martyrs departed from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda on Friday, December 19, at 7 PM Bangladesh time. The plane is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 11:15 AM on Saturday, December 20.

The attack, which occurred on December 13, targeted the UN peacekeeping base in the Abyei region of Sudan. A drone attack by separatist armed groups struck the base between 3:40 PM and 3:50 PM local time, resulting in the immediate deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

The six martyrs are: Corporal Md. Masud Rana (Natore), Soldier Md. Mominul Islam (Kurigram), Soldier Shanto Mondal (Kurigram), Soldier Shamim Reza (Rajbari), Mess Waiter Mohammad Jahangir Alam (Kishoreganj), and Laundry Worker Md. Shobuj Mia (Gaibandha).

Injured Peacekeepers
Eight other peacekeepers were injured in the attack and have been transferred to the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, for advanced treatment. The injured personnel are Lt. Colonel Khondakar Khalekuzzaman (Kushtia), Sergeant Md. Mostakim Hossain (Dinajpur), Corporal Afroza Parveen Ity (Dhaka), Lance Corporal Mohibul Islam (Barguna), Soldier Md. Mezbaul Kabir (Kurigram), Soldier Musa Umme Hani Akter (Rangpur), Soldier Chumki Akter (Manikganj), and Soldier Md. Manazir Ahsan (Noakhali).

One of the injured, Soldier Md. Mezbaul Kabir, underwent successful surgery and is currently under intensive care. The rest of the injured are in stable condition, with one of them already discharged from the hospital.

Condemnation and Grief from Bangladesh Army
The Bangladesh Army strongly condemned the brutal terrorist attack. In a statement of condolence, the army said that the sacrifice of the martyrs will forever stand as a testament to Bangladesh’s commitment to world peace. The army extended its deepest sympathies to the grieving families of the fallen soldiers.

The History of Peace Written in Blood
Bangladesh’s involvement in UN peacekeeping missions began in 1988 with just 15 soldiers. Today, Bangladesh is the highest contributor of peacekeepers, providing personnel to 119 countries. However, the path of peace has not always been smooth. To date, 168 brave members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police have sacrificed their lives for global peace. The six lives lost in Sudan add a new chapter to this legacy, further honoring the Bangladesh flag on the international stage.