Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 2) said that the government has taken steps to build modern and time-befitting armed forces imbued with latest technological knowledge. The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment (BIR)-2024 third reunion at the Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Center in Rajshahi Cantonment on Saturday (March 2). The Prime Minister said the army is building trust and confidence among the mass everywhere. The army is not only contributing to the country but also at the international level by contributing to the UN peacekeeping missions.The army is contributing to the infrastructural development of the country as well. A smartly turned out contingent of the army paid guard of honour to PM Sheikh Hasina. PM also took salute at the parade, and inspected the parade.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Jan 15) paid rich tributes to the martyred members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. She paid homage by placing a wreath at the Shikha Anirban (flame eternal) at Dhaka Cantonment this morning. After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the memories of the armed forces martyrs, who made supreme sacrifices during the 1971 Liberation War.     A contingent drawn from army, navy and air force presented a guard of honour at that time, while the bugle played the last post. Later, Sheikh Hasina, also in-charge of the Ministry of Defence, signed the visitors' book kept on the Shikha Anirban premises. Earlier, on her arrival at Shikha Anirban, the Prime Minister was received by chiefs of the three services. After placing the wreath, she went to the Armed Forces Division (AFD) where PM's security adviser and chiefs of the three services made a courtesy call on her.

Army deployment begins today in 62 districts to ensure peaceful holding of the 12th national elections slated for January 7 as the deployment will continue till January 10, said an official release. A release issued by the Defence Ministry stated that the armed forces members will perform duties jointly with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) in the 47 bordering upazilas.   The BGB members will also be accompanied by the Coast Guards in four coastal upazilas, apart from their sole deployment in 45 upazilas. Bangladesh Navy will perform duties in a total of 19 upazilas including the coastal districts of Bhola and Barguna.   Bangladesh Air Force is also set to provide necessary helicopter assistance to polling stations in remote hilly areas along with electoral assistance in case of emergencies, the release added. Special cells have been set up jointly by representatives of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies across the country, which will remain operational till January 10, 2024.  

The armed forces will be deployed on January 3, to maintain the law and security across Bangladesh, ahead of the 12th national polls. According to a letter sent from the Armed Forces Division (AFD), they will be in the field for a total of eight days, till January 10.  The letter was signed by Brig Gen Husain Muhammad Masihur Rahman, on behalf of the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces.  Following the request of the Election Commission to hold the 12th parliamentary election in a free, fair, neutral and peaceful manner, an order has been issued to deploy armed forces in the 300 constituencies across Bangladesh from January 3 to January 10.

Armed forces will be deployed for 13 days for election duty from December 29 to January 10, said home ministry. The Border Guard Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, Armed Police Battalion, and Ansar Battalion will also remain on election duty during the 13 days, the ministry issued a gadget notification in this regard.   Signed by Md Mostafizur Rahman, senior secretary of public security divisions of the ministry, the circular stated that 15 to 17 members of the law enforcement agencies will be engaged to ensure the security of each polling centre. The armed forces will assist the local civil administration. Law enforcement agencies and armed forces will act as "mobile teams" and "striking forces". The Ansar battalion will serve as a supporting force in mobile teams with the police. According to the circular, members of Ansar-VDP will be engaged in the security of the polling station for five days. The circular also reads that a maximum of 15 to 16 policemen, Ansar, and village police will be deployed in general polling stations in metropolitan areas, outside metropolitan areas, and hilly and remote areas, and a maximum of 16 to 17 policemen in important polling stations. However, the circular added that the returning officer can increase or decrease the number if needed.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin (Dec 17) gave consent to deploy military personnel to help ensure free, fair and peaceful Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls. "The president consented to deploy members of armed forces division (AFD) for holding next polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner. . . The military personnel will assist the civil administration," President's Press Secretary Md Joinal Abedin told BSS this noon. He said the president provided his assent as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal called on him at Bangabhaban to offer formal request for armed forces deployment before and after next general elections. According to Abedin, the president said the decision for the military deployment was taken to maintain law and order and fair atmosphere during the pre-and post-election period. The head of the state, however, said the date and time of the troops' deployment will be announced later in consultation with all concerned stakeholders. During the meeting, the president was apprised by the CEC of the overall Election Commission (EC) preparations for the upcoming polls. Expressing satisfaction over the polls preparation by the EC, the head of the state assured the EC of providing all necessary cooperation to make the elections fair and peaceful. The president also expressed his hope that with the cooperation of all, a free, fair and credible election will be held in Bangladesh. Secretaries concerned to the president were present at the meeting. Source: BSS

Armed Forces of India and Bangladesh continue to seek bilateral cooperation in multiple fields and their increased engagements are a positive sign for the future of ties between the two sides, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday. India and Bangladesh held the fifth Annual Defence Dialogue. Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, who is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh, co-chaired the meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division. "The Armed Forces of both countries continue to seek bilateral cooperation in multiple fields and the increased engagements are a positive sign for the future of the relations of both countries," the ministry said.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government is building the armed forces in such a way as it can defend the country's independence and sovereignty if Bangladesh is attacked.  "We don't want war with anyone. But, we have to attain enough efficiency to protect our independence and sovereignty if Bangladesh falls into such situation and we're preparing our forces keeping that in mind," she said.  The premier said this while commissioning the newly constructed naval submarine base "BNS Sheikh Hasina" by unveiling its nameplate, joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here.  The inaugural function was held at Pekua in Cox's Bazar. The prime minister said her government is maintaining the foreign policy adopted by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, "Friendship to all, malice to none."  She asked the armed forces personnel to continue efforts to materialise Father of the Nation's dream of building developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 free from hunger and poverty alongside discharging professional duties.  "We have established the Bangladesh Navy as a smart force. We will build every organisation as modern with up-to-date and technological knowledge," she said.  The premier said they have adopted a "Blue Economy" policy and are working to use the vast marine resources in flourishing country's national economy and thus to contribute to ensuring overall development of Bangladesh.    She said the newly commissioned submarine base would help navy increase its operational capacity to secure the vast marine resources while the ships passing through the Bay of Bengal also can take help from the base.  "A proud chapter is added to the history of Bangladesh Navy with commissioning the complete and ultra-modern submarine base," she said.  The premier also witnessed the first flag hoisting ceremony in the submarine base of the navy.  Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal gave the address of welcome at the venue in Pekua. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the armed forces are being built as capable to defend any attack from the external forces to secure country's independence and sovereignty.   "We don't want war with anyone. We believe in the policy, 'Friendship to all malice to none' formulated by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  But, we're taking measures to make the armed forces capable enough to defend any external force attack," she said.   She remarked this while addressing as the chief guest the 10th Tigers’ Reunion of the East Bengal Regiment (EBR) at the EBRC, Chattogram.   The prime minister said her government wants to establish Bangladesh as a peaceful country, for which, it has adopted "zero tolerance” policy against terrorism and militancy.   She extended her wholehearted gratitude to the armed forces personnel as they always stand by the people during any disaster that include flood and drought.   The premier said the armed forces personnel not only stand beside Bangladeshis but also support friendly countries if they experience any disaster.

The Indian Army is going to celebrate Veterans Day on January 14 to pay tribute to the former senior military personnel/officers in recognition of their services to the country. The Armed Forces Veterans Day recognises the services rendered by Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces who retired on January 14, 1953. It is celebrated to honour the sacrifices of the veterans serving the nation. In this regard, a series of events has been started in J&K from the first week of December. In the areas near the international borders, many programmes are being organised in the run-up to the January 14 Veterans Day, in which a large number of senior citizens are taking part. At these events, the day-to-day problems, pension issues, etc. being faced by former senior military personnel are being discussed and resolved. To address the issues of ex-servicemen, the Army organised a veterans' rally and medical outreach campaign at the Shaheedgarh Fort in Rajouri district. About 550 ex-servicemen, including 350 ESMs, belonging to a large section of the population in Darhal, Nowshera and adjoining areas participated in the rally. Various facilitation counters were set up to redress the grievances and issues faced by the ex-servicemen and to disseminate updated information about various state and Central government policies affecting them. Representatives from different agencies were present on the occasion to help the ex-servicemen solve their problems.