Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim, Bir Bikrom
is a former Chief of the Bangladesh Army
. He participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War
and was awarded Bir Bikrom
for valor by the government in 1971. He was injured in one leg during this war. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff
by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party
government led by prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in 1993. He studied at the Faujdarhat Cadet College
.
He is famous for his bloodless and failed Coup de Eta attempt in 1996 during the time of an interim caretaker government. He was arrested, placed under house arrest and subsequently dismissed from service. However, the newly elected government reverted the decision to an honorable discharge later on.
, the erstwhile President of Bangladesh
, ordered Nasim to force the retirement of two senior army officers. The President believed that they were involved in political activities with opposition parties. Nasim refused to comply. The next day, Biswas sacked him and sent soldiers to state radio and television stations. On noon that day Nasim ordered soldiers of Bogra
, Jessore and Mymensing Division to march towards Dhaka
.
The Ninth Division's General Officer Commanding Major General Imamuzzaman, Bir Protik
, commanding the division situated nearest to Dhaka
, decided to be loyal to the President. He removed all boats and ferries from Jamuna River in Aricha
port, so that Bogra
and Jessore Divisions could not cross the river to reach Dhaka. He also sent another contingent of troops with tanks to make a blockade at Dhaka-Mymenshing highway. This blockade prevented Mymensing Division Army from entering Dhaka
district. In the meantime, Major General Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Bir Protik
, General Officer Commanding of the 33rd Infantry Division located in Comilla
also decided to upheld the constitution and came to an aid of the President Abdur Rahman Biswas
. He mobilized a fully geared 101 Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. Shah Ikram (later Maj. Gen.) to Dhaka to fortify Banga Bhaban, the Presidential palace. Another Deployment was made by the 33rd Division using an Infantry Battalion and a company of tanks from the 7th Horse Armored Battalion at the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to create a blockade against the 24th Infantry Division located in Chittagong which happens to be the largest, most powerful and strongest Division in the country. This Blockade was materialized due to the reason that the General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division Major General Md Azizur Rahman, Bir Uttam was dedicated to Nasim and probable retaliation was not out of prospect. However, General Aziz during that time was on leave in Sylhet and decided to remain away from this episode. Announcements in State Radio and TV broadcast continuously asked all soldiers to stay at their own cantonment. After some hours Mymensing Division soldiers returned to their barracks and the Chittagong Division, being demoralized by the brawny blockade on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway near Chouddogram, never made an attempt to mobilize towards Dhaka. The General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division also realized that this military coup is highly unlikely to succeed. That night Nasim was interviewed by the BBC
and, in reference to troop movements, he answered that as Army Chief he could move troops anytime he wanted.
Nasim was arrested by the Brigade Commander of 14 Independent Engineers Brigade and put under house arrest in the Army Mess behind Army Central Library, Staff road, Dhaka Cantonment. Later the Awami League government granted him a formal retirement. Since then he has remained a private citizen.
Though it is yet questionable about the May incidents. No one yet confirmed he really did it or not.
Bir Bikrom
Bir Bikrom is the third highest gallantry award in Bangladesh. Like the other gallantry awards, this was introduced immediately after the Bangladeshi Liberation War. Bir Bikrom was awarded to 175 fighters.-Recipients:...
is a former Chief of the Bangladesh Army
Bangladesh Army
The Bangladesh Army is the land forces branch and the largest of the three uniformed service of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to provide necessary forces and capabilities in support of Bangladesh's security and defense strategies including defense of the nation's...
. He participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
and was awarded Bir Bikrom
Bir Bikrom
Bir Bikrom is the third highest gallantry award in Bangladesh. Like the other gallantry awards, this was introduced immediately after the Bangladeshi Liberation War. Bir Bikrom was awarded to 175 fighters.-Recipients:...
for valor by the government in 1971. He was injured in one leg during this war. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff
Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army
The Chief of the Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army is the professional head of the Bangladesh Army. By virtue of the eminence of the Bangladesh Army amongst the military forces of Bangladesh, he is also regarded as the senior-most defence official in the country...
by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Bangladesh Nationalist Party
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party , commonly referred to as the BNP, is the mainstream center-right political party in Bangladesh. BNP ruled Bangladesh total 18 years since her independence, the longest than any other party in Bangladesh...
government led by prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in 1993. He studied at the Faujdarhat Cadet College
Faujdarhat Cadet College
Faujdarhat Cadet College, is a selective high school , modeled after public schools in the UK , financed partially by the Bangladesh Army, located at Faujdarhat, near Chittagong, in Bangladesh....
.
He is famous for his bloodless and failed Coup de Eta attempt in 1996 during the time of an interim caretaker government. He was arrested, placed under house arrest and subsequently dismissed from service. However, the newly elected government reverted the decision to an honorable discharge later on.
Coup in 1996
Nasim came into the limelight when he staged an abortive military coup in 1996. On 19 May 1996, Abdur Rahman BiswasAbdur Rahman Biswas
Abdur Rahman Biswas was the President of Bangladesh between 1991 and 1996.-Early life:...
, the erstwhile President of Bangladesh
President of Bangladesh
Since 1991, the President of Bangladesh is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament. Since 1996, the President's role becomes more important after the term of the government has finished, when his executive authority is enhanced as laid down in the constitution of the...
, ordered Nasim to force the retirement of two senior army officers. The President believed that they were involved in political activities with opposition parties. Nasim refused to comply. The next day, Biswas sacked him and sent soldiers to state radio and television stations. On noon that day Nasim ordered soldiers of Bogra
Bogra
Bogra is a town, and one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh. It is a centre of commerce and trade within the Bogra District and located under the Rajshahi Division. Bogra is sometimes described as the nerve centre of Northern Bangladesh. Amongst many notable activities, it has been hosting...
, Jessore and Mymensing Division to march towards Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
.
The Ninth Division's General Officer Commanding Major General Imamuzzaman, Bir Protik
Bir Protik
Bir Protik is the fourth highest gallantry award in Bangladesh .-Recipients:This award was declared on 15 December 1973...
, commanding the division situated nearest to Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, decided to be loyal to the President. He removed all boats and ferries from Jamuna River in Aricha
Aricha
Aricha is a small village located in the extreme south of Tlemcen Province in Northwestern Algeria. It lies at the intersection of Tlemcen Province in the north, the Wilaya de Sidi Bel Abbes to the east and south Wilaya of Naama to the west the Moroccan border.-Geography and climate :34 ° 13'19...
port, so that Bogra
Bogra
Bogra is a town, and one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh. It is a centre of commerce and trade within the Bogra District and located under the Rajshahi Division. Bogra is sometimes described as the nerve centre of Northern Bangladesh. Amongst many notable activities, it has been hosting...
and Jessore Divisions could not cross the river to reach Dhaka. He also sent another contingent of troops with tanks to make a blockade at Dhaka-Mymenshing highway. This blockade prevented Mymensing Division Army from entering Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
district. In the meantime, Major General Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Bir Protik
Bir Protik
Bir Protik is the fourth highest gallantry award in Bangladesh .-Recipients:This award was declared on 15 December 1973...
, General Officer Commanding of the 33rd Infantry Division located in Comilla
Comilla
Comilla is a city in south-eastern Bangladesh, located along the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. It is the administrative center of the Comilla District, part of the Chittagong Division. The Eastern Wing of Bangladesh Highway Police is located in Comilla....
also decided to upheld the constitution and came to an aid of the President Abdur Rahman Biswas
Abdur Rahman Biswas
Abdur Rahman Biswas was the President of Bangladesh between 1991 and 1996.-Early life:...
. He mobilized a fully geared 101 Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. Shah Ikram (later Maj. Gen.) to Dhaka to fortify Banga Bhaban, the Presidential palace. Another Deployment was made by the 33rd Division using an Infantry Battalion and a company of tanks from the 7th Horse Armored Battalion at the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to create a blockade against the 24th Infantry Division located in Chittagong which happens to be the largest, most powerful and strongest Division in the country. This Blockade was materialized due to the reason that the General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division Major General Md Azizur Rahman, Bir Uttam was dedicated to Nasim and probable retaliation was not out of prospect. However, General Aziz during that time was on leave in Sylhet and decided to remain away from this episode. Announcements in State Radio and TV broadcast continuously asked all soldiers to stay at their own cantonment. After some hours Mymensing Division soldiers returned to their barracks and the Chittagong Division, being demoralized by the brawny blockade on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway near Chouddogram, never made an attempt to mobilize towards Dhaka. The General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division also realized that this military coup is highly unlikely to succeed. That night Nasim was interviewed by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and, in reference to troop movements, he answered that as Army Chief he could move troops anytime he wanted.
Nasim was arrested by the Brigade Commander of 14 Independent Engineers Brigade and put under house arrest in the Army Mess behind Army Central Library, Staff road, Dhaka Cantonment. Later the Awami League government granted him a formal retirement. Since then he has remained a private citizen.
Though it is yet questionable about the May incidents. No one yet confirmed he really did it or not.
Trivia
One of General Nasim's leg is artificial. He lost the leg during liberation war in 1971. Although, it cannot be visible for others. His artificial leg can be verified by any military personnel who worked with him at Army HQ during his regime.External links
- When the Constitution outshot the gun, Nurul Kabir, The Weekly Holiday, 31 May 2002.