Army dismisses Brig Gen Zakaria over July crackdown, Lt Col wife over unexplained assets
The Bangladesh Army has dismissed Brigadier General S M Zakaria Hossain, who commanded troops during the July 2024 crackdown on protesters during the uprising, and his wife, Lieutenant Colonel Fatima Zohra Khanam, following an investigation into alleged anti-state activities, corruption and unexplained assets.
The dismissals come as the army underwent a major reshuffle on Sunday, with seven major generals receiving new assignments and three brigadier generals promoted to major general. The changes include new commanders for four infantry divisions and appointments to the leadership of Ansar and VDP, BIPSOT and BIISS.
The two officers were dismissed through separate orders issued by the Military Secretary's Branch at Army Headquarters on November 12, according to documents obtained by Daily Waadaa.
Both dismissals will take effect on the afternoon of November 17, formally ending their military service.
Military sources familiar with the investigation alleged that Zakaria had advocated harsh measures against protesters during the July uprising that eventually toppled Sheikh Hasina's government.
His wife, Fatima, came under investigation after authorities identified substantial assets registered in her name for which the couple allegedly failed to provide satisfactory documentation or explain the sources of funds.
Dismissal orders issued under Army Act
The two orders, marked "restricted", were issued by the Military Secretary's Branch at Army Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment on November 12.
The first identifies BA-4638 Brigadier General S M Zakaria Hossain, SGP, ndc, afwc, psc, who was attached to the M&Q Directorate at Army Headquarters without an operational command.
The second name is BA-6972 Lieutenant Colonel Fatima Zohra Khanam of the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who was serving at Sena Kalyan Sangstha, the army's welfare organisation.
Both orders invoke Section 16 of the Army Act, read with Army Act Rule 9(a) and Army Regulations 78(c), 253(a), 261 and 269(a).
Although the printed heading on each document reads "Retirement Order", the section describing the nature of termination states: "Dismissed from Service."
Both officers will be struck off duty and removed from the army's strength from the afternoon of November 17.
The orders cite a Ministry of Defence notification dated November 11 as their authority.
Section 16 of the Army Act empowers the government to dismiss or remove any person subject to the legislation without requiring a court-martial.
The orders constitute administrative dismissals. It remains unclear whether either officer will face criminal proceedings before a military or civilian court.
Zakaria's role during July 2024 crackdown
Zakaria, an officer of the 29th Bangladesh Military Academy Long Course, commanded the 14 Independent Engineers Brigade during the July 2024 uprising.
The formation, based in Dhaka Cantonment, operated directly under Army Headquarters. On July 19, 2024, the Hasina government imposed a curfew and deployed the army as protests intensified.
Troops from Zakaria's brigade were deployed across Dhaka alongside personnel from the 46 Independent Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Imran Hamid.
The deployment coincided with security operations involving block raids in residential neighbourhoods.
Security personnel sealed off areas after dark, searched houses and detained students and opposition activists. Many detainees were subsequently shown arrested in previously filed cases.
Prothom Alo reported at least 2,416 arrests in Dhaka during that period.
This correspondent reported in late July 2024 that video footage showed arrests taking place in the presence of military personnel. That report identified Zakaria and Imran as commanders of the two brigades involved.
The report identified Zakaria by service number BA-4638, matching the number in the dismissal order.
An India-based fact-checking organisation, DFRAC, subsequently described the report as misleading, arguing that newspaper reports had not identified the two brigadiers.
Military sources alleged that Zakaria's involvement extended beyond commanding deployed troops. They claimed he personally advocated severe measures to suppress the protests.
The allegations concerning his personal role have not been independently established.
Zakaria was reportedly placed under house arrest at Dhaka Cantonment on April 5, 2025, alongside four other officers, including Imran, over allegations concerning their conduct during the uprising.
By November 2026, Zakaria had been removed from brigade command and attached to Army Headquarters without a formation under his authority.
Investigation into alleged anti-state contacts and assets
Military sources familiar with the inquiry said investigators examined Zakaria's activities beyond his role in July 2024.
The investigation allegedly found that he maintained contacts with individuals considered detrimental to national security.
The identities of those individuals and details of the alleged contacts have not been disclosed. Investigators also identified numerous assets registered in Fatima's name, according to the sources.
Both officers were asked to provide ownership documents and explain the sources of funds used to acquire the properties.
The sources alleged that neither Zakaria nor Fatima could provide satisfactory explanations or supporting documents.
The investigation's full findings have not been made public, and the dismissal orders do not establish which allegations formed the basis of the government's decision.
Zakaria and Fatima could not be reached for comment.
Seven major generals transferred, three brigadiers promoted
The dismissals coincide with a reshuffle of senior army appointments on Sunday (November 15).
Seven major generals have received new assignments, while three brigadier generals have been promoted to major general.
Major General Sazzad, the director general of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party, has been transferred to the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) as commandant.
Major General Towhid, previously general officer commanding (GOC) of the 11 Infantry Division, will replace him as director general of Ansar and VDP.
Major General Masihur, the outgoing BIPSOT commandant, has been appointed director general of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
Four infantry divisions will also see changes in command.
Major General Sajed, previously serving at the National Defence College (NDC), has been appointed GOC of the 7 Infantry Division.
Major General Razi, the outgoing commander of the 7 Infantry Division, will take command of the 55 Infantry Division.
Major General Hafiz, the outgoing GOC of the 55 Infantry Division, has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Major General Mahmood, who commanded the 19 Infantry Division, has also been assigned to the Foreign Ministry.
Three brigadier generals have been promoted.
Brigadier General Imani, who previously served at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), has been promoted to major general and appointed GOC of the 11 Infantry Division.
Brigadier General Mozammel, another former DGFI officer, has been promoted to major general and assigned command of the 19 Infantry Division.
Brigadier General Raju of the Armed Forces Division has also been promoted to major general.
He will join the National Defence College as Senior Directing Staff (Army).
Previous dismissals of senior officers
The army has previously used Section 16 of the Army Act to remove senior officers from service. Major General Ziaul Ahsan was dismissed on August 6, 2024, a day after Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh.
In September 2024, Lieutenant General Mujibur Rahman was dismissed under the same provision, while three other senior officers were sent into compulsory retirement.
In October 2025, 15 serving military officers were produced before the International Crimes Tribunal in connection with cases involving alleged enforced disappearances and other crimes.
In July 2026, the prime minister's defence adviser, retired Brigadier General A K M Shamsul Islam, publicly stated that officers involved in enforced disappearances and killings would not receive promotions.
The latest orders involve two serving officers of different ranks who are married to each other. Unlike compulsory retirement, dismissal formally terminates an officer's military service under the government's statutory authority.
The army has not publicly disclosed whether further disciplinary or criminal action is being considered against Zakaria or Fatima.
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