Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim - Coup in 1996

Coup in 1996

Lt. Gen. Nasim came into the limelight when he staged an abortive military coup in 1996. On 19 May 1996, Abdur Rahman Biswas, the erstwhile President of Bangladesh, ordered Lt. Gen. Nasim to force the retirement of two senior army officers. The President believed that they were involved in political activities with opposition parties. Nasim refused to comply. The next day, Biswas sacked him and sent soldiers to state radio and television stations. On noon that day Nasim ordered soldiers of Bogra, Jessore and Mymensingh Division to march towards Dhaka.

The Ninth Infantry Division's General Officer Commanding Major General Imamuzzaman, Bir Protik, commanding the division situated nearest to Dhaka, decided to be loyal to the President. He removed all boats and ferries from Jamuna River in Aricha port, so that Bogra and Jessore Divisions could not cross the river to reach Dhaka. He also sent another contingent of troops with tanks to make a blockade at Dhaka-Mymenshing highway. This blockade prevented Mymensing Division Army from entering Dhaka district. In the meantime, Major General Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Bir Protik, General Officer Commanding of the 33rd Infantry Division located in Comilla also decided to upheld the constitution and came to an aid of the President Abdur Rahman Biswas. He mobilized a fully geared 101 Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brig. Shah Ikram (later Maj. Gen.) to Dhaka to fortify Bangabhaban, the presidential palace. Another Deployment was made by the 33rd Division using an Infantry Battalion and a company of tanks from the 7th Horse Armored Battalion at the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to create a blockade against the 24th Infantry Division located in Chittagong which happens to be the largest, most powerful and strongest Division in the country. This Blockade was materialized due to the reason that the General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division Major General Md Azizur Rahman, Bir Uttam was dedicated to Lt. Gen. Nasim and probable retaliation was not out of prospect. However, Maj. General Aziz during that time was on leave in Sylhet and decided to remain away from this episode. Announcements in State Radio and TV broadcast continuously asked all soldiers to stay at their own cantonment. After some hours Mymensing Division soldiers returned to their barracks and the Chittagong Division, being demoralized by the brawny blockade on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway near Chouddogram, never made an attempt to mobilize towards Dhaka. The General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division also realized that this military coup is highly unlikely to succeed. That night Nasim was interviewed by the BBC and, in reference to troop movements, he answered that as Army Chief he could move troops anytime he wanted.

Nasim was arrested by the Brigade Commander of 14 Independent Engineers Brigade and put under house arrest in the Army Mess behind Army Central Library, Staff road, Dhaka Cantonment. Later the Awami League government granted him a formal retirement. Since then he has remained a private citizen.