ANKARA

Bangladesh announced Thursday that it would probe a botched 2009 army mutiny, including the role of alleged “foreign” backers, according to the English language Dhaka Tribune newspaper.

The chairman of the newly-formed National Independent Commission, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Fazlur Rahman, said his commission is committed to "thoroughly" investigating the Feb. 25, 2009, mutiny.

The mutineers stole thousands of weapons from the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles, a paramilitary force, before embarking on a killing spree in the barracks.

The mutiny ended with the army crushing the mutineers, leaving 74 dead, including 57 army officials.

Thousands were also arrested and tried in special military courts after the mutiny.

Many were sentenced to death.

"This is a national issue, an event of unprecedented magnitude. The scale of the tragedy is unparalleled, and we are committed to ensuring a comprehensive investigation into the events of that fateful day," Rahman told reporters after the commission's first meeting in Dhaka.

The commission's primary task is to uncover domestic and foreign conspiracies surrounding the mutiny.

The commission has been given a three-month timeframe to wrap up the investigation, which was ordered following new protests by the families of soldiers killed in the violence.

Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina following a student uprising in August, the families have been campaigning to reopen the investigation.

A previous official investigation conducted during Hasina's tenure blamed years of anger among soldiers as their perpetual demand for pay rises and better treatment were ignored.​​​​​​​

"We will use our intellect and dedication to complete the investigation within the given period," said Rahman.

"We aim to address the plight of those who were killed, tortured, and deprived in the aftermath. With compassion and sincerity, we will endeavour to heal their wounds," he added.​​​​​​​