A former bodyguard of accused former army officer Ziaul Ahsan has given explosive testimony before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, claiming he witnessed the killing of 150 to 200 people under the former RAB officer’s leadership within just over a year.
Imrul Kayes, 43, who once served as Ziaul Ahsan’s “runner” or personal security officer, detailed a series of alleged executions, including placing a body in a sack on a railway track moments before a train arrived and shooting captives at the Jafflong border.
“Conscience is driving me to testify,” Kayes told the tribunal on Sunday, breaking down in tears at one point. “I took an oath for the country, not to kill its people.”
Kayes claimed that just 20 to 25 days after joining as a runner, he was summoned to RAB-1 office late at night and taken to Tongi. A body was retrieved from the vehicle and placed on a railway track at a desolate crossing. Moments later, a train ran over it.
“I felt very bad about myself – where have I come, how will I do my job,” he said, adding that he could not remain normal for five to seven days after the incident.
Kayes also described an operation in the Sundarbans where, after gunfire was heard, the force was ordered to fire. Later, they found several bullet-riddled bodies, a pirate camp, and two boats containing supplies. The entire incident seemed to him to be “a staged operation.”
Referring to “Operation Rebel Hunt” after the BDR mutiny, Kayes claimed victims were killed by injection or shot in the head while tied in cement sacks and thrown into rivers.
He claimed the killing of four people in a purported “crossfire” in Uttara in 2011 was a staged operation.
In mid-2012, Kayes alleged, two captives were taken to Jafflong and exchanged for two individuals from India. On the return journey, Ziaul Ahsan stopped the car and shot both captives in the head.
The testimony also covered the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali in April 2012. Kayes said he learned of it through media reports while on leave. He later heard Ziaul Ahsan say on the phone, “Sir, I have ‘golfed’ Ilias as you said.”
Kayes described other incidents, including shootings on Kanchpur Bridge and operations in Patharghata, Barishal, where victims were tied in cement sacks, their stomachs slit, and thrown into rivers.
In total, he claimed to have witnessed 150 to 200 people killed, including 10 to 12 by injection. “I have given this testimony out of conscience and in the interest of justice. I now seek security,” he said.
