Tarique Rahman overhauls Bangladesh military: New Army chief named, India-based adviser recalled

Bangladesh prime minister Tarique Rahman

The Bangladesh Army has carried out a significant reshuffle in its senior leadership, appointing a new Chief of General Staff (CGS) and making changes across key operational and intelligence positions, according to local media reports.

The move, formalised by Army Headquarters, comes shortly after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government assumed office on February 17. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a two-thirds majority in the February 12 general elections, bringing an end to the 18-month tenure of Muhammad Yunus.

Lieutenant General M Mainur Rahman has been named the new CGS. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), Prothom Alo reported, citing defence ministry sources.

In another key change, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan has been replaced as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) by newly promoted Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman. Hasan has been attached to the foreign ministry and is expected to be posted abroad as an ambassador.

The reshuffle also extends to military intelligence. Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury has been appointed Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Currently a brigadier general at Army Headquarters, he will formally assume the post upon his promotion to major general.

Additionally, Brigadier General Md Hafizur Rahman, who was serving as defence adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission in India, has been recalled. He will take charge as the GOC of an infantry division with the rank of major general.

The changes affect several strategic commands within the Army as well as the country’s premier military intelligence agency.