Bangladesh: Two Soldiers Killed in Tank Firing Accident in Chattogram

It's T 69 MKII G actually. The gun is clearly an 105mm L7 derivative.

No. Imported. Clearly this accident has something to do with the charge/brass casings.
Im glad you mention it. Im getting tired educating folks on the difference between a t59 and t69.

However. This is a t 59... the tank here is a base with 100mm gun. You can differentiate it with the bore evacuator at the base of the barrel.

105mm comes with the evacuator at the tip
 
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Poor quality Pakistan shell went off in tank killing two Bangladesh Army soldiers

Twelve Chinese technicians were in Chittagong for repairs and upgrades on Bangladesh Army’s T-59 ‘Durjoy’ series tanks.

by Enayet Kabir
September 10, 2026

View attachment 214769

The main cause of the tank accident during a Bangladesh Army exercise in Hathazari, Chittagong, on September 9 was not a defect in the Chinese-made tank but the use of allegedly substandard Pakistani ammunition, according to a reliable military source.

The freak explosion occurred eight months after two teams of Chinese technicians arrived in Bangladesh on January 12 and 13 to undertake repairs and upgrades on the T-59 tanks, among Bangladesh Army’s oldest mehcanised vehicles.

They were first taken to Rajendrapur Cantonment near Dhaka before being shifted to Chittagong’s Chariya field firing range.

The heavily modernised T-59 tank was installed with new turrets, 125 mm guns and advanced electronics a few years ago.

A Bangladesh Army Type 59G “Durjoy” main battle tank (MBT) was involved in a major explosion during live-fire training in Chittagong on September 9. Two soldiers, Abu Bakar Siddiq and Tasnim Rafayet, were killed, while Captain Mirza suffered critical injuries.

According to the military source, following the political change on August 5, 2024, the then Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, took initiatives to procure ammunition from Pakistan. “Regular relations” were established with the Pakistan Army and its defence-industrial establishments.

During this period, Bangladesh reportedly imported 40,000 rounds of ammunition, 2,000 tank rounds, 40 tonnes of RDX and 2,900 high-powered projectiles from Pakistan without adequate standardisation and quality checks, according to the source. Some of this ammunition was subsequently used at Bangladesh Army firing ranges during training exercises.

Preliminary findings from the Hathazari firing range indicate that Pakistani ammunition was being used during the exercise in which the fatal explosion occurred.

The investigation into the precise cause of the accident, however, remains underway.

According to the military source, the preliminary technical assessment is examining how an obstruction may have developed inside the tank’s gun barrel and whether this resulted in a backward-directed explosion. One possibility being examined is that carbon fouling or fragments of an external object became lodged inside the barrel, obstructing the normal escape of the projectile and propellant gases.

Such an obstruction could produce an abnormal build-up of pressure inside the barrel, potentially resulting in a catastrophic barrel or chamber failure and an internal explosion. Investigators are therefore examining multiple possibilities, including ammunition-related defects, rather than attributing the accident solely to a mechanical problem with the Chinese-built Type 59G.

The possibility that the explosion was caused by defective or substandard Pakistani ammunition is among the hypotheses being considered, the source said.

Lieutenant General Kamrul Hassan and several other senior military officers had reportedly been enthusiastic about procuring military equipment and combat aircraft from Pakistan. They advised the government led by Muhammad Yunus to acquire Pakistani-produced ammunition and aircraft based on Chinese technology. Allegations of involvement in a “commission trade” also emerged in connection with such procurement.

Following the national election of February 12, 2024, Lt Gen Kamrul Hassan was sent on deputation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Interest among senior military officials in acquiring defence equipment from Pakistan reportedly continues. There have also been allegations of close relationships between what critics describe as “corrupt officers” in the armed forces of the two countries.

Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, the son of former Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Azam who was expelled from the military, and retired Colonel Abdul Haque are alleged to have played a catalytic role in facilitating ammunition imports from Pakistan. Azmi and Haque reportedly maintained regular contact with Kamrul Hassan.

The Hathazari accident has consequently brought renewed scrutiny to the procurement, quality-control and acceptance procedures governing foreign ammunition supplied to Bangladesh’s armoured units.

The central question for investigators is now whether the ammunition met Bangladesh Army specifications before it was accepted for operational and training use. A definitive conclusion will require examination of the recovered ammunition, lot and batch records, storage conditions, barrel and chamber components, firing procedures and procurement documentation.

Until the investigation establishes the technical cause, however, the allegation that Pakistani ammunition caused the explosion remains a line of inquiry rather than a proven finding.

Really sad to know it was faulty ammunition from Pakistan that killed 2 Bangladesh soilders.... I think Bangladesh domestically produce high quality ammunition at BOF. In future Bangladesh should give a priority to Make in Bangladesh concept and try to become completely independent in making ammunition atleast for the beginning rather than buying faulty ammunition from Pakistan....
 
Wouldn't be surprised if the navy suffers major loss next with those grandpa era submarines
Don't understand why Bangladesh went for that museum pieces of Chinese submarines... this is how rich Nations cheat poor nation. China should have actually retired those submarines but they found a BAKRA in the form of Bangladesh and sold them a junk which can actually endanger the life of Bangladeshi crew....

Do we want to witness Kursk of BOB???

Now many members here will argue that it was not for using in war but only for a training for our navy....

You could have asked for deadly KILOS from your neighbor India and that time we had very very friendly relationship with each other... KILO is still generation ahead of these museum Chinese MINGS and it was Hasina era when Bangladesh economy was showing miracles....

If poor Myanmar could afford it was no big deal for Bangladesh.... Myanmar here showed how to make a right choice....
 
Poor quality Pakistan shell went off in tank killing two Bangladesh Army soldiers

Twelve Chinese technicians were in Chittagong for repairs and upgrades on Bangladesh Army’s T-59 ‘Durjoy’ series tanks.

by Enayet Kabir
September 10, 2026

View attachment 214769

The main cause of the tank accident during a Bangladesh Army exercise in Hathazari, Chittagong, on September 9 was not a defect in the Chinese-made tank but the use of allegedly substandard Pakistani ammunition, according to a reliable military source.

The freak explosion occurred eight months after two teams of Chinese technicians arrived in Bangladesh on January 12 and 13 to undertake repairs and upgrades on the T-59 tanks, among Bangladesh Army’s oldest mehcanised vehicles.

They were first taken to Rajendrapur Cantonment near Dhaka before being shifted to Chittagong’s Chariya field firing range.

The heavily modernised T-59 tank was installed with new turrets, 125 mm guns and advanced electronics a few years ago.

A Bangladesh Army Type 59G “Durjoy” main battle tank (MBT) was involved in a major explosion during live-fire training in Chittagong on September 9. Two soldiers, Abu Bakar Siddiq and Tasnim Rafayet, were killed, while Captain Mirza suffered critical injuries.

According to the military source, following the political change on August 5, 2024, the then Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, took initiatives to procure ammunition from Pakistan. “Regular relations” were established with the Pakistan Army and its defence-industrial establishments.

During this period, Bangladesh reportedly imported 40,000 rounds of ammunition, 2,000 tank rounds, 40 tonnes of RDX and 2,900 high-powered projectiles from Pakistan without adequate standardisation and quality checks, according to the source. Some of this ammunition was subsequently used at Bangladesh Army firing ranges during training exercises.

Preliminary findings from the Hathazari firing range indicate that Pakistani ammunition was being used during the exercise in which the fatal explosion occurred.

The investigation into the precise cause of the accident, however, remains underway.

According to the military source, the preliminary technical assessment is examining how an obstruction may have developed inside the tank’s gun barrel and whether this resulted in a backward-directed explosion. One possibility being examined is that carbon fouling or fragments of an external object became lodged inside the barrel, obstructing the normal escape of the projectile and propellant gases.

Such an obstruction could produce an abnormal build-up of pressure inside the barrel, potentially resulting in a catastrophic barrel or chamber failure and an internal explosion. Investigators are therefore examining multiple possibilities, including ammunition-related defects, rather than attributing the accident solely to a mechanical problem with the Chinese-built Type 59G.

The possibility that the explosion was caused by defective or substandard Pakistani ammunition is among the hypotheses being considered, the source said.

Lieutenant General Kamrul Hassan and several other senior military officers had reportedly been enthusiastic about procuring military equipment and combat aircraft from Pakistan. They advised the government led by Muhammad Yunus to acquire Pakistani-produced ammunition and aircraft based on Chinese technology. Allegations of involvement in a “commission trade” also emerged in connection with such procurement.

Following the national election of February 12, 2024, Lt Gen Kamrul Hassan was sent on deputation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Interest among senior military officials in acquiring defence equipment from Pakistan reportedly continues. There have also been allegations of close relationships between what critics describe as “corrupt officers” in the armed forces of the two countries.

Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, the son of former Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Azam who was expelled from the military, and retired Colonel Abdul Haque are alleged to have played a catalytic role in facilitating ammunition imports from Pakistan. Azmi and Haque reportedly maintained regular contact with Kamrul Hassan.

The Hathazari accident has consequently brought renewed scrutiny to the procurement, quality-control and acceptance procedures governing foreign ammunition supplied to Bangladesh’s armoured units.

The central question for investigators is now whether the ammunition met Bangladesh Army specifications before it was accepted for operational and training use. A definitive conclusion will require examination of the recovered ammunition, lot and batch records, storage conditions, barrel and chamber components, firing procedures and procurement documentation.

Until the investigation establishes the technical cause, however, the allegation that Pakistani ammunition caused the explosion remains a line of inquiry rather than a proven finding.


What is reliable military source?

This is an Indian source. I take it with ocean of salt.
 
There is a possibility that indian tatooz in Bangladesh may have sabotaged it.
 
I hope the top brass get the memo. We have hundreds of these in the service. Imagine the morale of other tankers knowing they have to get into these death traps.

Plus @Panzerkiel point about ammo manufacturer defect possibly leading to the incident. That needs to be investigated too.

Are we manufacturing these tank shells locally at BOF?

BD can go for 150-200 VT-4 from China to reolace all of its current old tanks. It is a good and modern tank. Cheap as well.
 
What is reliable military source?

This is an Indian source. I take it with ocean of salt.

We already know how perceptive you are and usually how wrong but Bangladesh did procure 40 000 tons of ammunition from Pakistan during the Interim Government and if it is a defective ammo issue then it most likely came from that batch.


If you followed social media more closely then you would also know that Pakistani were more vocal in opposing Bangladesh joining the Mecca Defense Pact than Indians. It is likely for that reason that new members are being considered. Yes India is a perennial problem for Bangladesh but don't assume everyone else is your friend. That is not how foreign policy is conducted and Jamaatis not understanding this will ensure they never come to power. For now America and shifted support to the BNP as it is carrying out its agenda in the region. An intelligent and objective person looks at all the information available from whatever source and not just his preference. That is the approach of an ignorant person who likes to wallow in their ignorance.
 
Poor quality Pakistan shell went off in tank killing two Bangladesh Army soldiers

Twelve Chinese technicians were in Chittagong for repairs and upgrades on Bangladesh Army’s T-59 ‘Durjoy’ series tanks.

by Enayet Kabir
September 10, 2026

View attachment 214769

The main cause of the tank accident during a Bangladesh Army exercise in Hathazari, Chittagong, on September 9 was not a defect in the Chinese-made tank but the use of allegedly substandard Pakistani ammunition, according to a reliable military source.

The freak explosion occurred eight months after two teams of Chinese technicians arrived in Bangladesh on January 12 and 13 to undertake repairs and upgrades on the T-59 tanks, among Bangladesh Army’s oldest mehcanised vehicles.

They were first taken to Rajendrapur Cantonment near Dhaka before being shifted to Chittagong’s Chariya field firing range.

The heavily modernised T-59 tank was installed with new turrets, 125 mm guns and advanced electronics a few years ago.

A Bangladesh Army Type 59G “Durjoy” main battle tank (MBT) was involved in a major explosion during live-fire training in Chittagong on September 9. Two soldiers, Abu Bakar Siddiq and Tasnim Rafayet, were killed, while Captain Mirza suffered critical injuries.

According to the military source, following the political change on August 5, 2024, the then Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, took initiatives to procure ammunition from Pakistan. “Regular relations” were established with the Pakistan Army and its defence-industrial establishments.

During this period, Bangladesh reportedly imported 40,000 rounds of ammunition, 2,000 tank rounds, 40 tonnes of RDX and 2,900 high-powered projectiles from Pakistan without adequate standardisation and quality checks, according to the source. Some of this ammunition was subsequently used at Bangladesh Army firing ranges during training exercises.

Preliminary findings from the Hathazari firing range indicate that Pakistani ammunition was being used during the exercise in which the fatal explosion occurred.

The investigation into the precise cause of the accident, however, remains underway.

According to the military source, the preliminary technical assessment is examining how an obstruction may have developed inside the tank’s gun barrel and whether this resulted in a backward-directed explosion. One possibility being examined is that carbon fouling or fragments of an external object became lodged inside the barrel, obstructing the normal escape of the projectile and propellant gases.

Such an obstruction could produce an abnormal build-up of pressure inside the barrel, potentially resulting in a catastrophic barrel or chamber failure and an internal explosion. Investigators are therefore examining multiple possibilities, including ammunition-related defects, rather than attributing the accident solely to a mechanical problem with the Chinese-built Type 59G.

The possibility that the explosion was caused by defective or substandard Pakistani ammunition is among the hypotheses being considered, the source said.

Lieutenant General Kamrul Hassan and several other senior military officers had reportedly been enthusiastic about procuring military equipment and combat aircraft from Pakistan. They advised the government led by Muhammad Yunus to acquire Pakistani-produced ammunition and aircraft based on Chinese technology. Allegations of involvement in a “commission trade” also emerged in connection with such procurement.

Following the national election of February 12, 2024, Lt Gen Kamrul Hassan was sent on deputation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Interest among senior military officials in acquiring defence equipment from Pakistan reportedly continues. There have also been allegations of close relationships between what critics describe as “corrupt officers” in the armed forces of the two countries.

Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, the son of former Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Azam who was expelled from the military, and retired Colonel Abdul Haque are alleged to have played a catalytic role in facilitating ammunition imports from Pakistan. Azmi and Haque reportedly maintained regular contact with Kamrul Hassan.

The Hathazari accident has consequently brought renewed scrutiny to the procurement, quality-control and acceptance procedures governing foreign ammunition supplied to Bangladesh’s armoured units.

The central question for investigators is now whether the ammunition met Bangladesh Army specifications before it was accepted for operational and training use. A definitive conclusion will require examination of the recovered ammunition, lot and batch records, storage conditions, barrel and chamber components, firing procedures and procurement documentation.

Until the investigation establishes the technical cause, however, the allegation that Pakistani ammunition caused the explosion remains a line of inquiry rather than a proven finding.


No hard feelings, but if these guys are so upset about the ammunition/shells that they have to write long posts specifically to target Pakistani standards, then they should simply stop buying from Pakistan and rather go buy from India or China. If the ammunition/shell quality was really poor, then we might have seen such incidents happening in Pakistan as well during the war on terror ops on the Western border. Similar case happened during the Thailand-Cambodian war where Chinese VT-4 tank barrels were exploding, yet no body could come up with proper evidence as to the root cause.
 
Naah, they sabotaged themselves by buying from you guys.

RIP to the soldiers.

The heartburn and the pain indians have shown in this thread points to who is not happy with Bangladesh buying Pakistani stuff. Doesn't it get tiring acting like a dehati aurat all the time? All this randi rona about Pakistan everywhere .. seriously it is cringe and distasteful for us Pakistanis .. it is like an ugly woman won't stop chasing you.

All the reason for Pakistan not to get into any huge defense deals with Bangladesh, till the time indian tatooz are removed and hanged.
 

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