Dhaka, Feb. 8 -- BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced that his party would restore the name Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) if voted to power, saying the force's historic identity linked to the Liberation War was unjustly removed after the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy.

"After the brutal massacre of army officers at BDR headquarters in Pilkhana in 2009, the fallen, defeated, fugitive and ousted fascist forces changed the name of the Bangladesh Rifles, an institution deeply linked to the memories of our Liberation War," he said.

While addressing a views-exchange meeting with retired army officers and family members of those killed in the 2009 BDR mutiny at a city hotel, Tarique bemoaned that even the traditional uniform of the BDR was alter...