Dhaka: In a dramatic twist of intrigue within Bangladesh’s corridors of power, a clandestine ‘soft coup’ plot aimed at undermining Army Chief General Wakar-uz-Zaman has been exposed and neutralised, sending shockwaves through the nation’s military and political landscape.
The scheme, masterminded by National Security Advisor (NSA) Khalilur Rahman, sought to install loyalists in key army positions to force the general’s premature retirement, potentially tilting the balance towards Islamist influences.
According to leaked reports, the plot unfolded in January when two senior officers were due to retire, opening slots for Chief of General Staff (CGS) and Principal Staff Officer (PSO). NSA Rahman allegedly planned to appoint Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan as CGS and Lieutenant General Mohammad Faizur Rahman as PSO – both perceived as close to Jamaat-e-Islami.
This non-violent manoeuvre was designed to erode General Zaman’s authority, paving the way for Faizur Rahman to ascend as the next army chief by June 2027.
The secret plan leaked through media outlets, alerting General Zaman, who swiftly intervened at the eleventh hour to block the appointments. His decisive action not only preserved military independence but also highlighted simmering tensions with Rahman, including a prior ban on the NSA’s entry into Dhaka Cantonment over a disputed ‘humanitarian corridor’ proposal to Myanmar’s Arakan region in April 2025 – a move Zaman dubbed a potential ‘bloody corridor’ due to smuggling risks.
This foiled bid underscores Bangladesh’s fragile stability amid upcoming elections on February 12, with Rahman’s ties to opposition BNP raising questions about political hedging. Border threats from Myanmar, involving drones and rebel groups, add to the volatility, leaving the army on high alert against internal and external foes.