Widely known as IKB, Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan served as Army chief from Jun 25, 2012 to Jun 25, 2015 during the Awami League government. In his testimony, he said: “The culture of killing existed in the Army from before; the culture of enforced disappearance developed later. Operation Clean Heart was conducted from Oct 16, 2002 to Jan 9, 2003 by joint forces after the BNP-Jamaat alliance came to power. On Feb 24, 2003, the government enacted the Joint Drive Indemnity Act, 2003, granting legal protection to those involved. Human Rights Watch estimated that about 50 BDR members died under torture by RAB and military personnel during interrogation.

Source: bd News24 February 08, 2026 13:48 UTC