A Bangladeshi Army spokesman Saturday said so far 63 bodies of the army officers were recovered and 72 are still missing following a revolt by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) soldiers on Wednesday.

Brigadier General Mahmud Hossain, director of the Military Intelligence, told a press briefing that 33 officers were rescued alive.

He demanded quick trial and tough punishment of killers and perpetrators of the "barbaric and dastardly" incident at the BDR headquarters.

Mahmud said, "I believe not all BDR soldiers were involved in the revolt. A few BDR members were involved, whose number will not be too high."

He said the government has constituted an inquiry committee and through the investigation the guilty and those who are involved will be identified.

Asked about the reason behind the revolt, he said whatever be the reason, this should not have been done this way.

Thousands of BDR soldiers staged a revolt against their army officers on Wednesday morning over pay and other benefits.

The revolt came to an end on Thursday evening after a series of talks between the rebellious soldiers and government officials.

The BDR, whose main task is to protect the country's borders, is under the Home Minister, but its senior officers are all from the Army. Many BDR soldiers complained they have been ignored and repressed by their army officers for a long time.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2009)