Dhaka, Dec 21 (V7N)- The funeral prayers of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were killed in a drone attack on a United Nations peacekeeping base in Sudan were held at the Central Mosque of Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday morning.

The janaza was held after 9:15 am. Following the funeral prayers, the President and the Chief Advisor paid their respects to the bodies of the fallen soldiers. Senior officials of the Army, Navy, and Air Force also paid tribute by placing wreaths on the coffins of the martyrs.

After the state honors, the bodies of the six deceased peacekeepers were sent to their respective home districts by helicopter for burial.

Before the funeral, the biographies of the martyred soldiers were read out, and special prayers were offered seeking forgiveness and eternal peace for their departed souls.

The six Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives are:

  • Corporal Md. Masud Rana (Natore)
  • Soldier Md. Mominul Islam (Kurigram)
  • Soldier Shanto Mandal (Kurigram)
  • Soldier Shamim Reza (Rajbari)
  • Mess Waiter Mohammad Jahangir Alam (Kishoreganj)
  • Laundry Worker Md. Sabuj Mia (Gaibandha)

Earlier, a special Emirates Airlines flight carrying the bodies of the martyrs arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday morning (December 20). The bodies were received by Bangladesh Army Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim.

The tragic incident occurred on December 13, when a separatist armed group carried out a drone attack on the Kadugli Logistics Base under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Abyei region of Sudan. Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed on duty, while eight others were injured in the attack.

The injured personnel are:

  • Lieutenant Colonel Khondaker Khalequzzaman (Kushtia)
  • Sergeant Md. Mostakim Hossain (Dinajpur)
  • Corporal Afroza Parvin Iti (Dhaka)
  • Lance Corporal Mohibul Islam (Barguna)
  • Soldier Md. Mejbaul Kabir (Kurigram)
  • Soldier Mosa Umme Hani Akhter (Rangpur)
  • Soldier Chumki Akhter (Manikganj)
  • Soldier Md. Manazir Ahsan (Noakhali)

Bangladesh has long been one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, and the nation mourns the loss of its brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the service of global peace.

END/SMA/AJ