Commission head Major General (Retd.) A L M Fazlur Rahman, along with other members, handed over the report at the state guesthouse Jamuna. The panel includes retired senior military officers, former civil servants and university academics.Speaking at the handover, Chief Adviser Yunus said the nation had long remained “in the dark” about the BDR killings. “Your contribution in uncovering the truth will be remembered,” he said, calling the report a valuable national asset that answers many unresolved questions surrounding one of the country’s most shocking tragedies.

In the commission findings, Major General Rahman said the commission maintained “highest level of professionalism” despite many challenges, including destroyed evidence and key suspects fleeing abroad. Investigators interviewed witnesses for hours, reviewed earlier inquiry documents and collected all available materials.

He said the investigation examined every major public question related to the mutiny, including why the army did not immediately intervene. The panel concluded that there was “direct involvement of external forces and strong evidence of direct involvement by the then-ruling Awami League.”

Commission member Major General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Kabir Talukder said the findings show the massacre was “planned,” with Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh acting as the main coordinator. He said local Awami League activists played a role in protecting key perpetrators, entering Pilkhana with a group of 20 to 25 people and leaving with more than 200.

He added that the incident occurred with the “green signal” of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Responsibility, he said, extended from the head of government to the army chief, noting that a political decision was made to manage the crisis rather than launch immediate security action. He also cited “serious failures” by police, RAB and intelligence agencies.

The commission criticised what it described as unprofessional conduct by parts of the print and electronic media at the time. It also said records of the BDR members who met Sheikh Hasina at the Jamuna guesthouse during the crisis were not properly maintained.

The commission submitted several recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the armed forces and ensuring justice for victims of the BDR massacre.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Integration Lt Gen (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, and Home Secretary Nasimul Gani were present at the meeting