Military Coups in the Bangladesh till 2024

As Bangladesh continues to face protests, with Army Chief of Staff General Waq-Uzizaman recently announcing Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister, we must reflect on how the country has evolved since its independence in 1971. From the first uprising in August 1975 to the most recent attempted uprising in December 2011, Bangladesh has seen 29 military coups, demonstrating a turbulent history of constant upheavals and shifting power dynamics.

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Bangladesh Military Coup 2024

As mentioned above, there have been as many as 29 military coups in the history of Bangladesh, some successful and some unsuccessful. The following is a list of the major military coups that have taken place in the history of Bangladesh:

date

event

detail

August 15, 1975

Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

A military coup was launched by mid-level military officers, replacing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Kandak Mushtaq Ahmed. Sheikh Mujib and most of his family were killed.

November 3, 1975

Removal of Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad

Brigadier General Khalid Musharraf organized a coup and overthrew Kondak Mushtaq Ahmed from power.

November 7, 1975

Left-wing military personnel stage a coup

Left-wing army personnel and National Socialist Party politicians staged a coup, killing Khalid Musharraf and releasing Ziaur Rahman.

September 30 – October 2, 1977

Failed coup

There were multiple assassination attempts on Ziaur Rahman, including one triggered by the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 472.

May 30, 1981

Ziaur Rahman assassinated

Ziaur Rahman was assassinated by army officers in Chittagong.

March 24, 1982

Hussein Mohammad Ershad’s coup

Ershad removed President Sattar from office, appointed himself chief military administrator, and suspended the constitution.

May 19, 1996

Lieutenant General Abu Saleh Mohammed Nasim attempted a coup

Nasim launched an unsuccessful coup to overthrow the caretaker government, was arrested and allowed to formally retire.

January 11, 2007

Lieutenant General Moeen U. Ahmed launches military coup

The army chief of staff staged a coup and installed a military-backed caretaker government that collapsed after the 2008 elections.

February 25-26, 2009

Bengal Rifles Rebellion

A mutiny broke out in the Bangladesh Rifles, resulting in the death of the Director General of the Bangladesh Rifles, 56 other officers and 17 civilians.

January 11-12, 2012

Thwarted coup attempt

The coup was aimed at establishing Islamic law in Bangladesh but was prevented by the Bangladeshi army.

In summary, Bangladesh’s history is marked by a series of turbulent coups, each of which has shaped its political landscape. From the 1975 coup that led to the ouster of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the rise of Kandak Mushtaq Ahmed, to the violent Bangladesh Rifles uprising in 2009, and the coup attempt in 2011, these events reflect an ongoing struggle over governance and power. Each coup and coup attempt highlights the complex interplay of military, political, and social forces in shaping Bangladesh’s modern history.

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