Editorial
Every death a tragedy
Our prayers are with army in these difficult days
AS though the nation's armed forces have not had enough tragedy and heartbreak to deal with over the last few weeks, it is with great shock and sadness that we have learned of yet another death of a senior army official, the GOC of the 55 Infantry Division and Jessore Area Commander Maj. Gen. Rafiqul Islam and pilot Lt. Col. Md. Shahidul Islam, when an army helicopter crashed in Tangail Monday morning.
Our deepest and most sincere condolences go out to the families of the bereaved. We have also learned that Maj. Gen. Islam's family recently suffered another bereavement, that must make this present tragedy that much harder to bear, and our most heartfelt sympathy goes out to them in their hour of grief.
We also send our prayers and hopes for full and swift recovery to Maj. Saif, the co-pilot on board, who sustained serious injuries in the crash.
These last few weeks have been an incredibly difficult time for our men and women in uniform, and the entire armed forces is far from fully recovered from the horror of seeing so many of its finest cut down in their prime.
But we feel that the army has handled itself with exemplary maturity during this difficult time and we want to acknowledge not only our appreciation of such forbearance, but also that we understand and share the grief they are feeling at present, and that the entire nation is also feeling their pain.
There have been many who have tried to inject all sorts of partisan rancour and divisiveness into this tense situation of national crisis in order to try to divide the army and to bring it into controversy. Unfounded and irresponsible rumours, speculations, accusations, and conspiracy theories have been floated in an effort to further muddy the waters.
In light of these efforts, we are all the more admiring that this campaign has not gained much traction, and hope that the army will continue to act in a professional manner and shoulder its loss with fortitude and resilience.
These are difficult days for the army, but for the country as a whole, as well. But if we, the nation as well as our armed forces, stand together and ensure that we are not divided or turned against one another, then we will all come out of this crisis with our spirit intact and stronger than ever.
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