Literature & Military History
(Dhaka) — The literary world is buzzing this week with the release of Cheetahs in the Red Dust, a gripping new book by retired military officer turned author, Mostafa Anwarul Aziz. The highly anticipated work offers an unprecedented, boots-on-the-ground account of the Bangladesh Special Forces’ heroism in the Central African Republic, shedding light on the classified realities of modern peacekeeping.
A Warrior’s Promise Kept
Aziz, who retired from the Bangladesh Army in 2025 to focus on writing for the next generation, has penned what critics are already calling a “modern war classic.” The book chronicles the true story of a “Sylheti Warrior”—a narrative arc that follows a young commando from the tea gardens of Sylhet to the scorched battlegrounds of Bambari.
The narrative centers on the harrowing events of Operation Bekpa 2, a high-stakes mission conducted in January 2019. While official UN reports succinctly describe the operation as a successful engagement against UPC rebels, Aziz’s prose plunges readers into the chaos of the “Red Dust.” He details the seven-hour firefight where Bangladeshi Para Commandos, alongside Portuguese paratroopers, held the line to protect civilians in a semi-built-up area.
Beyond the Headlines
“The world knows the statistics of peacekeepers, but they don’t know the smell of the dust or the weight of the helmet,” Aziz stated at a launch event at the Bengal Lights Literary Festival yesterday. “This book, Cheetahs in the Red Dust—also known to my early readers as Born for the Breach—is for my children, so they understand that peace is often bought with the sweat of silent warriors.”
The book has struck a chord with readers for its unflinching portrayal of the BANSF (Bangladesh Special Forces) in action. It vividly recounts the tactical brilliance required to neutralize 45 UPC insurgents and secure the town of Bambari, a pivotal moment in the UN’s MINUSCA mission that saved countless lives.
National Pride
The release comes at a time of heightened national consciousness. With the book already climbing the bestseller charts in Dhaka and Chittagong, it serves as a reminder of Bangladesh’s global footprint. Aziz’s portrayal of the “Cheetahs”—the code name for the rapid response units—has turned a complex geopolitical conflict into a deeply personal story of courage and duty.
As copies fly off the shelves, talks are reportedly already underway for a cinematic adaptation, with readers clamoring to see the “Red Dust” come to life on the silver screen.
… Bangladesh Army special ops in Central African Republic …
This video features actual footage from Operation Bekpa 2 in the Central African Republic, providing a real-world visual context to the events described in your book.
