The Bangladesh Army has strongly rejected a report published by The Economic Times, an Indian English-language newspaper, which claimed an attempted coup within the army ranks. The report alleged that Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman, a supposed supporter of Pakistan and Jamaat-e-Islami, attempted to overthrow the current Chief of Army Staff, General Waqar-uz-Zaman. However, Bangladesh’s military authorities have dismissed these claims as baseless and misleading.
On Tuesday night, Bangladesh’s Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) issued a statement condemning the report, calling it “completely baseless” and a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation to destabilize the country.
“The Bangladesh Army has seen baseless reports in some media outlets of India. This report claims a possible coup within the army,” the ISPR statement said.
“This report is completely baseless and has been published with the aim of deliberately spreading misinformation to destabilize Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Army is strongly united and committed to its constitutional obligations under the leadership of the current Army Chief.”
The ISPR urged Indian media to follow the principles of responsible journalism and avoid publishing unverified information.
In its report, The Economic Times alleged that General Faizur Rahman was placed under surveillance by the Bangladesh Military Intelligence Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) after attempting to gauge his support within the army for a coup. The report stated that a meeting had taken place at the army headquarters, where Rahman tried to consolidate power, but due to a lack of senior officer attendance, the plan failed.
The report further claimed that at least 10 high-ranking officers, including Major General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman of the 24th Infantry Division and Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq of the 33rd Infantry Division, were allegedly involved in the conspiracy. According to The Economic Times, these officers were pushing for promotions and supporting Rahman’s alleged coup attempt.
Additionally, the report described General Waqar-uz-Zaman as a moderate leader with pro-India leanings. It highlighted his role in ensuring the safety of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during violent protests led by Islamist groups on August 5 last year.
In response to the report, the Bangladesh Army clarified that there was no internal conflict within its ranks and reaffirmed its commitment to national security and stability.
“It is a matter of concern for us that The Economic Times is continuously spreading such misinformation. There is no internal conflict of any kind in the Bangladesh Army,” the statement from ISPR read.
The military emphasized that it remains loyal to its constitutional responsibilities and that any claims of unrest within its ranks were entirely unfounded.
The allegations come amid ongoing political instability in Bangladesh. In recent months, tensions between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and opposition forces, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, have escalated. Violent protests have shaken the country, with opposition leaders accusing Hasina’s government of suppressing dissent and rigging elections.
On August 5 last year, Islamist-led protests turned violent, forcing Prime Minister Hasina to temporarily take refuge in India. Since then, trust between the two neighbors has been strained, with many in Bangladesh viewing India’s involvement in the country’s affairs with suspicion.
The Bangladesh Army has historically played a significant role in the country’s politics, with multiple military coups shaping the nation’s leadership since its independence in 1971. However, in recent years, the military has largely stayed out of direct political interventions, instead focusing on national security and counterterrorism efforts.
General Waqar-uz-Zaman, in a speech last month, had warned political leaders about the dangers of internal division.
“If you do not rise above your differences and keep fighting among yourselves, then the unity and integrity of our country will be in danger. If you keep throwing mud at each other, then nothing is going to be achieved from this,” General Zaman had stated.
His comments were widely interpreted as a warning against political instability, though they did not indicate any immediate military intervention in politics.
The controversy surrounding The Economic Times report also underscores the fragile relationship between India and Bangladesh. While the two countries share strong economic and strategic ties, distrust has grown, particularly since the August 5 incident that saw Hasina take shelter in India.
Bangladesh is geographically dependent on India, with 94% of its border touching Indian territory. Trade, security cooperation, and regional politics are deeply intertwined. However, recent political developments have fueled concerns about Bangladesh’s growing engagement with pro-Pakistan and Islamist factions, which could shift the country’s foreign policy orientation.
In an interview with Bangladesh’s leading newspaper Prothom Alo in January, General Waqar-uz-Zaman spoke about Bangladesh’s relationship with India.
“India is an important neighboring country. We are dependent on India in many matters. On the other hand, India also gets many types of facilities from us. A large number of people from India work in Bangladesh. These workers of India do permanent jobs along with daily wages,” he had said.
He also emphasized the need for a balanced relationship, stating:
“Any country wants to benefit from another country. I don’t think there is anything wrong with this. There are still good relations between the two countries on the basis of equality. People should not think that India has dominance over us. If this happens, it will be against our interests.”
Another key concern raised by the report is the potential resurgence of pro-Pakistan elements within Bangladesh’s political and military establishments. The Economic Times suggested that after Hasina’s temporary absence from power, pro-Pakistan leaders gained influence, particularly through Jamaat-e-Islami.
Jamaat-e-Islami, historically aligned with Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War, has always been a controversial force in Bangladesh. The party has faced crackdowns under Hasina’s government, with many of its leaders convicted for war crimes. However, its influence remains strong, particularly among Islamist groups and conservative political factions.
In a recent interview with Prothom Alo, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman defended the party’s past stance against Bangladesh’s independence.
“In 1971, our stand was based on principle. We did not want an independent country for the benefit of India. We wanted Pakistanis to be forced to give us the right to vote,” he said.
He further criticized what he described as foreign interference in Bangladesh’s politics.
“Why should we get to hear that a particular country does not like a particular party? If a particular country does not want it, then a particular party cannot come to power. Is this the attitude of an independent country? The youth of Bangladesh no longer like to listen to all this,” Rahman added.
The rejection of The Economic Times report by the Bangladesh Army highlights the ongoing battle over narratives in South Asia. While Bangladesh’s military remains firm in its denial of any internal strife, the report’s claims reflect deeper political tensions and power struggles within the country.
The timing of the report, amid growing political uncertainty and Bangladesh’s shifting geopolitical alignments, raises questions about its motivations. Was it an attempt to expose a real threat, or a strategic move to influence public perception?
