Chattogram: Two Bangladesh Army soldiers were killed and an officer was seriously injured on Wednesday after an accident involving a tank during a field-firing exercise at the Hathazari Field Firing Range in Chattogram, Bangladesh.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), the accident occurred while firing was being carried out from a tank during the scheduled exercise. The two soldiers died in the incident, while an army officer sustained serious injuries.
The injured officer was being airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka for advanced medical treatment, the ISPR said. The identities of the deceased soldiers and the injured officer have not yet been released.
The Bangladesh Army has launched an investigation to establish what caused the accident. The ISPR has not yet disclosed whether the incident was linked to a technical failure, ammunition malfunction or another factor.
ЁЯЪи TANK EXPLODES DURING BANGLADESH ARMY EXERCISE, 2 KILLED
On September 9, a Chinese-made Type 59 tank exploded during a field firing exercise at the Hathazari Field Firing Range in Chattogram, Bangladesh.
Two Bangladesh Army soldiers were killed and one officer was seriouslyтАж pic.twitter.com/8M7ljSM0iV
тАФ contentkikamii (@contentkikamii) September 10, 2026
Several reports have identified the tank involved as a Chinese-origin Type 59, an ageing main battle tank derived from the Soviet T-54 design and used by Bangladesh for decades. However, the ISPR’s official statement does not name the tank model, so the Type 59 identification should be treated as reported rather than officially confirmed.
The accident occurred during a live-fire training activity, where tank crews conduct firing drills under controlled military conditions. Such exercises are designed to train personnel in the operation and firing of armoured platforms but carry significant risks because of the use of live ammunition.
Bangladesh has continued to operate and modernise parts of its Chinese-built armoured fleet. Reports have previously noted efforts to upgrade older Type 59 and Type 69IIG tanks to extend their operational service life.
The Hathazari incident has now raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the accident, but it would be premature to attribute the blast to equipment failure or ammunition quality before the military investigation establishes the cause.
The ISPR said necessary measures are under way to determine the circumstances behind the accident. Further details are expected once the investigation progresses.
