A chilling conspiracy of a 'soft coup' has sent shockwaves through Dhaka's power corridors. The plot, aimed at seizing control without firing a single bullet, was reportedly orchestrated from within the highest levels of the Yunus government, while the primary target was none other than the Bangladesh Army Chief, General Wakar-uz-Zaman. This internal rebellion wasn't the work of a foreign enemy but was. Allegedly masterminded by one of the most powerful men in the current administration.
The NSA vs. The Army Chief: A Power Struggle
The story begins with Bangladesh's National Security Advisor (NSA), Khalilur Rahman. According to a detailed report by 'Northeast News', Rahman devised a cunning plan to tighten his grip on the military. His strategy involved placing his loyalists in two of the most critical positions within the army: the Chief of General Staff (CGS) and the Principal Staff Officer (PSO).
The objective was clear: to isolate General Wakar-uz-Zaman and weaken his authority to the point where he would be forced into early retirement. General Zaman, whose tenure is set to last until June 2027, was being systematically targeted for a premature exit. However, the General sensed the trap just in time and took decisive action by blocking the proposed appointments.
The Masterplan: Strategic Appointments and Jamaat Links
To understand the gravity of this conspiracy, one must look at the strategic importance of the military hierarchy. With two senior officers set to retire in January, NSA Khalilur Rahman pushed for Lieutenant General S. M. Kamrul Hassan to be appointed as the new CGS—a role that controls the army's budget and operations. Simultaneously, he lobbied for Lieutenant General Mohammad Faizur Rahman to become the PSO, a position that works directly under the Chief Advisor's office.
Defense sources claim that Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman has close ties to Jamaat-e-Islami. If these appointments had gone through, the influence of Jamaat within the military would have increased exponentially. This would have paved the way for Faizur Rahman to eventually become the Army Chief, effectively shifting the entire power dynamic of Bangladesh towards a specific ideological faction, while this was the essence of the 'soft coup'—a bloodless takeover of the state's most powerful institution.
Flashback: The 'Bloody Corridor' Dispute
The animosity between the NSA and the Army Chief isn't a recent development. It dates back to April 2025, shortly after Khalilur Rahman took office. He had advocated for a 'humanitarian corridor' on the Myanmar border to provide aid to the Arakan Army. General Wakar-uz-Zaman vehemently opposed this, labeling it a 'Bloody Corridor' rather than a humanitarian one.
The General suspected that such a corridor would be used for arms smuggling, posing a direct threat to national security. The tension escalated to the point where General Zaman reportedly banned the NSA from entering the Dhaka Cantonment. The fact that the country's National Security Advisor was barred from his own military headquarters highlights the depth of the rift between the two leaders.
Political Ambitions and the February Elections
Politics is also a major driver behind this power struggle. With elections potentially scheduled for February 12, Khalilur Rahman is. Reportedly looking to secure his future regardless of who wins. Sources suggest he has opened a 'line of communication' with Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the BNP, as early as June 2025, while by playing both sides—the Yunus government and the opposition—he aimed to ensure his survival in the changing political landscape. However, General Zaman's refusal to yield on military appointments has dealt a significant blow to these ambitions.
The Real Threat: War on the Myanmar Border
While this power game unfolds in Dhaka, the situation on the borders is reaching a breaking point. The Myanmar junta has reportedly deployed Chinese CASC CH3A combat drones. Near the border, preparing for a major offensive against the Arakan Army. Experts warn that if the conflict spills over, the Bangladesh Army will face a dual challenge: defending against external threats while dealing with internal subversion. General Zaman may have won this round, but the threat to Bangladesh's stability remains high as long as internal divisions persist.