𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐇 - 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury 𝐒𝐁𝐏, 𝐎𝐒𝐏, 𝐒𝐔𝐏, 𝐩𝐬𝐜, 𝐏𝐡𝐃 (𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐝.) 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑺𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 1. Post peoples’ upsurge in...
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𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐇 - 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury 𝐒𝐁𝐏, 𝐎𝐒𝐏, 𝐒𝐔𝐏, 𝐩𝐬𝐜, 𝐏𝐡𝐃 (𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐝.)
𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑺𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
1. Post peoples’ upsurge in Bangladesh needs deliberate evaluation of the complete spectrum of the statecraft functioning, especially in the security sector. The security situation of Bangladesh is vulnerable as the key security apparatus, Bangladesh Police, has been non-functional since 5 August 2024. Police have started to function with hesitation and nonconfidence since 15 August under the protection of Bangladesh Army.
The atrocities and unprofessional actions by police, RAB, Ansar has led to the current situation of lawlessness. Still there are miscreants and other vested quarters of the previous regime working at different parts and organisations of the country to enforce anarchy and force this government to fail, one of such events was displayed in Gopalgonj. Still Sheikh Hasina with the auspices of India is continuously fomenting and instructing the culprits, hooligans to continue anti-state activities. Her son Sojib Wazed Joy is also propagating misinformation in Indian media. Indian media, especially the true-blue royalist to BJP continues to propagate against the present government. Still important civil and military appointments in Bangladesh are held by officers extremely and unethically loyal to the previous regime.
Mere shuffling of the top echelon will not defuse the threat and challenges perceived. This is dangerous for the life of even Chief Advisor, CAS and other important personalities.
2. The previous regime, like all other institutions and organisations, destroyed professionalism, chain of command and best practices of the all professional security providers through politicisation, rampant practice of nepotism, nurturing sycophancy, absence of accountability, and so on and so forth. On top of it, Indian intelligence (RAW) is directly operating inside Bangladesh, the nest of which has been established with the support of the previous government, few corrupt politicians from Awami League, influential minority population, civil and military bureaucracy.
The ultimate objective of India was to make Bangladesh a vassal state of India with the direct support of Sheikh Hasina. Organisation like ISKON overtly and covertly worked rampantly against the interest of Bangladesh and in favour of India with the support of the previous regime. Surprisingly, one of the Ministers publicly declared that he is the member of ISKON (Education Minister during the previous regime) since he studied in India.The previous regime for their existence did so as they lost their credibility and popularity since 2014. In return, India could ink many disproportionate agreements with Bangladesh which went in favour of India.
With the fall of Sheikh Hasina India has lost its grip on Bangladesh. In fact, till date (since 2009) India could win the obedience and loyalty of Sheikh Hasina, but lost the support, respect and sympathy of the nation i.e. Bangladesh. Centre for Research and Information (CRI), an Awami League launched so called think tank organisation was operative to spread propaganda, suppress opposition, infusing illegal gratification, nepotism in all constitutional and governmental organisations and serve the purposes of upholding the interest of India.
The culture of bandwagon approach and foreign policy had a serious impact on every sector of Bangladesh including the security sector in regards to strategy formulation, operation, administration, recruitment, training, procurement, etc. Corruption has engulfed all the organisations. The heads of the organisations were personally involved in corruption. This is a matter of extreme disgrace for a nation when the heads of organisations are under US sanction for corruption and human rights violations. It is said that hardly anyone could get a job in Police, Ansar or even BGB without a bribe or strong connection to Awami League leaders or a strong backing. Same is the picture in case of a good posting at Dhaka or other lucrative places. It is no wonder that the lucrative posting is defined as the potential of bribe, embezzlement, drug/human trafficking, arms/other goods smuggling.
Age old traditions, good practices and policies were compromised and a journey towards a gradual decay and unprofessionalism was adopted. Loyalty to Awami League was viewed as a priority over professionalism. Existence of any relatives (even third or fourth blood) affiliated or sympathetic to any other political parties other than Awami League used to be viewed as disqualification for promotion or getting a good posting. This had a ripple effect among all ranks and file in the military. Officers started looking for patronizers from political leaders to get a good posting or to pass the age-old tough promotion board instead of relying on professionalism.
3. There were accomplices to the tyrant from the military who designed, established and operated the scandalous torcher cell named “Ayna Ghar” under DGFI where many famous/ordinary people used to be kept in a marooned and unhealthy condition for years. Anyone having a different opinion from the government or connection with the opposition used to be abducted and kept under confinement without the knowledge of the judiciary.
4. There were a number of incidents that took place or orchestrated under the previous regime to break the backbone of Bangladesh Army. The BDR incident in 2009 was part of the conspiracy where 57 meritorious officers were brutally killed. After the BDR incident many officers outburst in front of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at SenaKunja. Many of them lost their jobs as they raised their voice about the inaction of the government and the Army. The so-called conspiracy to topple the government by Major Zia in 2012 resulted in several officers losing their job. General Aziz (Retired) implemented a renewed immigration policy retrospectively in 2019 which resulted in the forced retirement of about 250 brilliant officers. Besides, he dismissed or ensured forced retirement of about 73 other officers during his tenure (2018-2021) on different causes. It is said that General Aziz broke the backbone of Bangladesh Army in connivance with RAW.
5. After the student-led successful peoples’ upsurge and assumption of power by the Interim Government, the nation started seeing a ray of hope. Country is now standing at a crossroad of moving towards prosperity, development, growth and evolution. Like other sectors, we need to overhaul the security sector. We need to bring back the image of these organisations, and put them back on the right track.
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓
6. As we all know that the broad spectrum of the Security Sector comprises Management and Oversight Bodies, Professional Security Providers, and Justice and Rule of Law Actors. The executive, national security council, legislative, ministry of defence, home, planning, and foreign affairs, financial management bodies (financial audit and planning units) are some of the elements of the Management and Oversight Bodies. Professional Security Providers are: the Armed forces, police forces, paramilitary forces, intelligence organisations, customs and immigration services, fire brigade and civil defence, BNCC etc.
The judiciary, law ministry, prisons, criminal investigation and prosecution services, human rights commissions and ombudsmen, and customary and traditional justice systems are part of Justice and Rule of Law. As the total spectrum of the security sector is very vast, this paper will focus only on the Armed Forces and touch upon some aspects of two important intelligence organisations i.e. NSI and DGFI.

𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
7. Firstly, the country could never witness such national unity after the Liberation War in 1971. More than 95% people are in unison to move forward with the guidance of the current Interim Government under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus. This is an enormous strength of the current Government.
Secondly, the Gen Z who were all reluctant about the politics and other affairs of Bangladesh just a few days ago have started not only thinking about the wellbeing of the country, but actively involved in nation building and showing the right path to the nation. This unprecedented move and change must be utilised to the fullest. We all have witnessed the continuous brain-drain of the talented youth from Bangladesh to the developed countries due to their frustration, lack of opportunities and environment at all educational institutions and government/private jobs, politicisation of every organisation and institution, corruption, nepotism, lawlessness, inequalities of wealth and opportunities etc.

Thirdly, the mid and lower level rank and file of Bangladesh Armed Forces did not like the misrule, corruption, misdeeds of the previous regime and they are united and committed to bring a positive change. They were well informed about every detail of the country through social media.
Fourthly, the whole world including almost all international non-state stakeholders like UN, EU, OIC etc are in favour and supportive to the present government except India and possibly Russia. China on the other hand has adopted a go slow policy and is possibly looking for an opportune moment to start collaboration with the new government.
𝑰𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑵𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅
8. Security sector is no doubt a sensitive and delicate zone to deal with. It demands careful and timely action with adequate preparation for the contingencies.
We need to take following actions immediately:
a.Immediately implement forced retirement of all known corrupt and allegedly involved in misdeeds of previous regime high ranking military officers. Ensure that they can not leave the country. Start investigations against all these officers taking allegations and evidence from all related stakeholders. Seize the accounts of all the corrupt officers if allegations are initially found true. Take all the corrupt officers to custody if the allegation is preliminary found to be true. Find out their accomplices also and produce them before law.
b. Change the whole lot gradually with priority to the officers extremely loyal to the previous regime.
c.It is better to run a formation/institution/entity with a good junior officer as officiating in charge rather than keeping a corrupt senior on top.
d. Change the officers at all echelons of intelligence organisation as all of them were selected based on their loyalty to Awami League.
e. Bring all known corrupt retired officers like Major General Tariq Ahmed Siddiqui (Retired), General Aziz (Retired) etc. to custody in order to enforce justice. Start judicial process as per law of the land with priority. Enforce their restriction on leaving the country. Identify their accomplices and abettors. Bring back all the corrupt officers who all left the country. Start the judicial process even if they are absconding. This will give a clear message to the present and future rank & file that nobody is above law.
f. Review all promotions from Lieutenant Colonel (and equivalent) to the Lieutenant General (and equivalent) since 2018 through a Board of Officers as extreme politicisation of the military started from General Aziz’s era. Find out the officers responsible for the promotion of wrong/inappropriate officers.
g. Review all dismissals and forced retirements that took place under the previous regime since 2009 through a Board of Officers.
h. Revive the inquiry of BDR killing and bring all the perpetrators to book.
i. Find out corruption, nepotism, illegal assignment/selection of vendors, and misappropriation in procurement, construction, project, supply etc. throughout the Forces especially from June 2018.
𝑴𝒊𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔
9. Following are the actions need to undertaken at mid and long term basis:
a. Review the vision, mission, objective, task, jurisdiction, and employment of DGFI and NSI. This will act as a shield to the officers serving in those organisations to deny illegal orders by superior or even the government.
b. Write down the history of Liberation War and Bangladesh Armed Forces.
c. Review all related policies which need review. Recruitment, promotion and posting should be based on merit. It must be followed strictly.
d. Review all agreements and MOUs between Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, DGFI and NSI and other armies/intelligence organisations inked during the previous regime, especially with India.
e. Bring back all good traditions and practices and steer the military towards professionalism. Military must be totally engaged in their classical role. Bring back all officers from RAB. Military should be assigned to civil projects in extreme cases, not on a regular basis.
f. RAOWA is one of the platforms for the patriotic veterans who feel for the country. This organisation has also been captured by the true-blue royalist of Awami League during General Aziz’s era. It needs thorough review and reform.
g. The retired soldiers lead a deplorable life after retirement. They neither can do any business nor can they be an entrepreneur. But they remain in the Active List of Bangladesh Army for 10 years after retirement. It would be a great help for all the retired soldiers if ration is authorised for them like Bangladesh Police. Mentionable, Army and Police both asked for the authorisation of Ration after retirement. Previous regime approved the same for the Police as they used to serve the unethical purposes of the regime and did not approve for the Army.
h. The retired soldiers also suffer from inadequate health service from already overloaded CMHs after retirement. It needs due attention. There are ways to address this challenge.
𝑾𝒂𝒚 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅
10. Security Sector reform needs to be done very carefully as it is a delicate matter and the country is now in a precarious condition. A team of competent officers under a Security Advisor should plan and execute the reform with the guidance of respected Chief Advisor and in coordination with three Services Chiefs.