During the Second World War, wounded Japanese soldiers were brought to the British Military Hospitals in Chittagong and Comilla for treatment during the conflict between the then Allied British Army and Axis Power Japan in Burma. Japanese soldiers who died while undergoing treatment are buried at Mainamati War Cemetery.

 After 80 years, the Japanese government took the initiative to repatriate the remains of these soldiers. Bangladesh also agreed to this initiative. In the first phase, the exhumation of the remains of 24 Japanese soldiers at the Mainamati War Cemetery has begun. A seven-member expert team from Japan, including four forensic experts, has been involved in the work.

 So far, remains have been exhumed from 12 graves, which will be verified through DNA tests. The second phase of repatriation of soldiers buried in Chittagong will begin. Retired Colonel Qazi Sajjad Ali Zaheer (hero symbol) is engaged in digging and exhuming graves. It is estimated that this process will take 10 days to complete.

 Source: Dhaka Tribune