41-647: The Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Bangladesh Police have been actively involved in a number of United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSO) since 1988. As of 2024, Bangladesh is the largest contributor in the UN peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh has several responsibilities in the UN peacekeeping mission. There are helicopter pilots who serve as peacekeepers for the UN. They are locally trained so they have to face several unknown threats and challenges. They have been trained in
82-644: A benchmark for all the other women in Bangladesh. This was a challenge for them. They were the first two females to be chosen as military pilots in 2014. They work under Monusco Banair at the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Their aim here is to help people in distress when they need their aid and help. Challenges are also a part of their mission. They are supported by instructors, which helps them continue their missions. Bangladesh has served and sacrificed for
123-641: A different terrain therefore making their job easier. Bangladesh's first deployments came in 1988, when it participated in two operations - UNIIMOG in Iraq and UNTAG in Namibia . the then former President of Bangladesh Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad initiated these deployments in 1988 for the first time with UNIIMOG with 15 military observers. Later as part of the UNIKOM force deployed to Kuwait following
164-1093: A hundred peacekeepers died in the region, including Bangladeshi soldiers. The Bangladeshi soldiers were underequipped. During the Rwandan Civil war, commander of UN forces in Rwanda General Roméo Dallaire alleged that Bangladeshi peacekeepers sabotaged their own vehicles in order to avoid going on patrols. Since then, the Bangladesh Army has been involved in up to thirty different UNPKO 's covering as many as twenty-five countries. This has included activities in Namibia , Cambodia , Somalia , Uganda , Rwanda , Mozambique , former Yugoslavia , Liberia , Haiti , Tajikistan , Western Sahara , Sierra Leone , Georgia , Congo , and Côte d'Ivoire . Bangladesh has sent its personnel to at least 45 UNPKO and more than 83,000 personnel of Bangladesh having served in those missions. In 2005, nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed in Congo. Bangladesh had 1,300 troops deployed in
205-586: A joint military operation against the occupying Pakistani Armed Forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War . Official functions are held across the country, including at Bangabhaban , the Armed Forces Division Headquarters at Dhaka Cantonment , all military cantonments, and at every military installation throughout Bangladesh. With the partitioning of India on August 15, 1947, the territory constituting modern Bangladesh
246-619: A minimum of around 300,000 to a maximum of around 3 million. Responding to Mujib's call for rebellion, many students, workers and other civilians mutinied against Pakistan and raised the Mukti Bahini , a guerrilla force . Later on, many Bengali officers and units from the Pakistan Army and East Pakistan Rifles mutinied against their West Pakistani counterparts and joined the Mukti Bahini. On 17 April 1971, M. A. G Osmani took oath as
287-418: A permanent concern for the civilian government. Finally, Bangladesh may gain financial and material benefits from deploying its forces under UN leadership because the UN pays higher salaries and relevant compensation. Bangladesh makes about US$ 300 million annually from peacekeeping, half of which is provided to the soldiers. Women from Bangladesh also received opportunities to volunteer as a peacekeeper, setting
328-878: A request from the United States . The deployment to Liberia began in October 2003 and has remained at a level of about 3,200 who are participating in peacekeeping, charitable activities and infrastructure development. Officers are trained and educated for three years at the Bangladesh Military Academy , Bhatiary, Bangladesh Naval Academy at Patenga, both located in Chittagong and Bangladesh Air Force Academy located in Jessore . For advance training during their career, officers are sent to Bangladesh Defence Services Command and Staff College at Mirpur, while senior officers attend
369-563: A total of eight battalions of EBR were raised. Following the victory of the Awami League in the 1970 elections, then-president General Yahya Khan refused to appoint its leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the prime minister and launched a brutal attack named Operation Searchlight on the civilians of the then East Pakistan, using the Pakistan Army to repress political movements. The number of people killed by Pakistani forces vary from
410-530: A year later, Lt. Gen. Hossain Mohammad Ershad took power from the elected government of president Abdus Sattar . The military remained the most important force in national politics under the regimes of Ziaur Rahman and later Hossain Mohammad Ershad until democracy was restored in 1991. Having relied primarily on India and the Soviet Union for military aid, Bangladesh has also developed military ties with
451-807: Is formulated and executed by the Armed Forces Division (AFD), whereas the Ministry of Defence (MoD) does not exercise any operational or policy authority over the Armed Forces. Since independence, the AFD and MoD have been led by the Prime Minister . To coordinate military policy with foreign and intelligence policy, both the President and the Prime Minister are advised by a six-member advisory board, which consists of
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#1732845432956492-797: Is tasked to maintain and repair roads in Bong County, is making all out efforts to reestablish the communication network in the country. They repaired 81 km Gbarnga-Salala Road, 80 km Gbarnga-Ganta Road and 44 km Gbrnga-Zorzor Road. Also carried out repair work of an entry road from CARI Complex to UN Water Point and internal roads in Gbarnga city and constructed a connecting road near CARI, The BANENGR-7, deployed in Nimba County, constructed and repaired 101 km Ganta-Tappita Road, 26 km Sanniquelli-Loguatu Road and 2.85 km road under Ganta city. Twenty-two culverts were built. They also constructed
533-595: The Gulf War , the Bangladesh Army sent a mechanized infantry brigade of approximately 2,193 personnel. In 1994, 1,200 Bangladeshi peacekeepers were besieged by Bosnian Serbs in the Bosnia after replacing a French contingent during UNPROFOR operations. The Bangladeshi commander asked for NATO air cover which was not provided. This was in contrast to when the French UN peacekeepers were attacked and NATO responded by providing cover. Over
574-677: The National Defense University for Armed Forces War Course . Many attend the Military Institute of Science and Technology while serving. Officers of the Army Medical Corps are recruited after graduation from both military or civil medical colleges. They undergo basic military training at Bangladesh Military Academy followed by professional training in medical corps centre and Armed Forces Medical Institute. Recently cadets of Armed Forces Medical College also started joining
615-810: The Niger River in Mali. Bangladeshi peacekeepers were also deployed in United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). After the contribution made in the Sierra Leone Civil War , the government of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah declared Bengali an honorary official language in December 2002. Explanations why Bangladesh shows such a great commitment vary. One argument is that Bangladesh is able to improve its international reputation and build "soft power," which enables
656-811: The People's Republic of China and the United States . The Bangladesh Army has been actively involved in United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSO). During the first Gulf War in 1991, the Bangladesh Army sent a 2,193 member team to monitor peace in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait . The Bangladesh Army also participated in peace keeping activities in Namibia , Cambodia , Somalia , Uganda , Rwanda , Mozambique , former Yugoslavia , Liberia , Haiti , Tajikistan , Western Sahara , Sierra Leone , Kosovo , Georgia, East Timor , Congo , Côte d'Ivoire and Ethiopia . As of October 2008, Bangladesh remained
697-556: The " Martial Races " notion was dismissed as ridiculous and humiliating by Bengalis. Moreover, despite huge defence spending, East Pakistan received none of the benefits, such as contracts, purchasing and military support jobs. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 over Kashmir also highlighted the sense of military insecurity among Bengalis as only an under-strength infantry division and 15 combat aircraft without tank support were in East Pakistan to repel any Indian retaliations during
738-508: The Bangladesh Army's growing esteem in the peacekeeping community. In 2008, the BBC in described the Bangladeshi UN Force as "the cream of UN peacekeepers". Bangladesh Armed Forces The Bangladesh Armed Forces ( Bengali : বাংলাদেশ সশস্ত্র বাহিনী , romanized : Bāṅlādēś Sôśôstrô Bāhinī ) are the military forces of the People's Republic of Bangladesh . They consist of
779-730: The Bangladesh Forces was divided into three separate services as Bangladesh Army , Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force . The Bangladesh Forces received modest assistance from the Indian Government soon after the start of the war. On 3 December 1971, the India-Pakistan war broke out and Indian troops entered Bangladesh allied with the Bangladesh Armed Forces. On 16 December 1971, the Pakistani military surrendered to
820-567: The Bangladeshi armed forces were launched by the government of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia . Forces Goal 2030 was launched by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to secure new equipment for the Bangladeshi military. Standoffs have occasionally occurred at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border , including in 1991 and 2008. Most of the standoffs took place, when Myanmar attempted to force Rohingyas into Bangladesh. In 2008,
861-563: The Pakistani armed forces or had been detained in West Pakistan . A group of angered officers assassinated the president Sheikh Mujib on 15 August 1975 and established a regime with politician Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed as President of Bangladesh and new army chief Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman . The military itself was subject of divisions as Mujib's assassins were overthrown by the pro-Mujib Brig. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf on 3 November, who himself
SECTION 20
#1732845432956902-1052: The UN for over 3 decades. Bangladesh is currently the largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping. Bangladesh and the United Nations have a strong relationship. Presently from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force are deployed in 11 ongoing UNPKOs in 5 countries where in UN peacekeepers total 6089. Within that more than 4,900 personnel from Bangladesh Army are now deployed in various contingents or as Staff Officers/Military Observers in 13 peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh Navy has its ships and water crafts deployed in UNMISS (South Sudan). The Air Force has its helicopters and fixed wing aircraft in MONUSCO (DR Congo) and MINUSTAH (Haiti). A good number of officers from Bangladesh Armed Forces are also working in UNDPKO as well. In Liberia, communication network improved by Bangladeshi peacekeepers. The BANENGR-8, which
943-596: The commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini. While the war raged on, the necessity of a well-trained armed force was always felt. During the first Bangladesh Sector Commanders Conference, held from 11 to 17 July 1971, the Bangladesh Forces started its journey composed of the revolting Bengali members of the Pakistan Army and EPR . In this historic conference the field command structure, sector reorganization, reinforcement, appointment of field commanders and tactics of warfare were decided upon and carried out. On 21 November 1971,
984-479: The conflict. The East Bengal Regiment was formed on 15 February 1948 following Pakistan's independence and transition from post British rule, composed exclusively of men from the western part of the country. The first East Bengal Regiment was composed of Bengali members of the British Indian Army Pioneer Corps and Bihar Regiment of the abolished British-Indian army . Between 1948 and 1965,
1025-412: The country to claim relevant positions for its diplomats in UN organizations. Thus, Bangladesh wins both national pride and diplomatic benefits, including better working relations with neighboring countries such as India and Pakistan. Another argument posits that Bangladesh is able to give its military professional experience abroad, and keep it busy and away from disruptive influence at home, which has been
1066-504: The country. In 2007, allegations of misconduct against Bangladesh peacekeepers based in South Sudan emerged. Some personnel were sent back to Bangladesh and faced disciplinary actions by the Bangladesh army. As of October 2014, Bangladesh contributed the highest number of total personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, with 8,758 personnel attached to various UN peacekeeping forces worldwide. In May 2015, one Bangladeshi peacekeeper
1107-461: The joint Indian and Bangladesh forces. The newly formed Bangladeshi armed forces incorporated some of the units and guerrillas of the Mukti Bahini. Gen. Osmani, who had led the Mukti Bahini was appointed the General of the Bangladesh armed forces . For many years, there was active discrimination in favour of the inductees from the Mukti Bahini against those Bengali officers who had continued service in
1148-408: The modernization and expansion of all equipment and infrastructures and providing enhanced training. Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel ( UK : / l ɛ f ˈ t ɛ n ən t ˈ k ɜːr n əl / lef- TEN -ənt KUR -nəl , US : / l uː ˈ t ɛ n -/ loo- TEN - ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies , most marine forces and some air forces of
1189-540: The past. In the British military, it is customary to refer to either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel by their first names when mentioning them, e.g "Colonel Tim will be at the parade". In the United States Air Force, the term 'light bird' or 'light bird colonel' (as opposed to a 'full bird colonel') is an acceptable casual reference to the rank but is never used directly towards the rank holder. A lieutenant colonel
1230-452: The playground of an orphanage and two passenger-sheds and carried out development work and welfare activities of different organisations. As a result of its contributions to various UN peacekeeping operations, 130 Bangladesh peacekeepers have lost their lives. The leader of the Bangladesh contingent to Namibia (UNTAG), Lieutenant Colonel Md. Faizul Karim, died in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1989. He
1271-709: The second largest contributor with 9,800 troops in the UN Peacekeeping forces. Until a peace accord was signed in 1997, the Bangladeshi military engaged in counterinsurgency operations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts fighting the Shanti Bahini separatist group. In 2001, Bangladeshi military units engaged in clashes with the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the northern border. Several projects and schemes aiming to expand and modernize
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1312-540: The services directly. Bangladeshi military ranks, essentially corresponds to those used by the armed forces of the commonwealth nations. The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the Armed forces respectively. Dhaka Cantonment Artillery Centre and School, Halishahar, Chittagong. Cantonments are where Bangladesh Army personnel work, train, and live. Bangladesh has made a long term modernisation plan for its Armed Forces named Forces Goal 2030 . The plan includes
1353-603: The third-largest defence budget in South Asia . The Bangladeshi military is the 37th strongest in the world and the third most powerful military force in South Asia . Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs during peacetime, but during wartime, they fall under the command of the Bangladesh Army and the Bangladesh Navy , respectively. Military policy
1394-699: The three military services' Chiefs of Staff , the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and military secretaries to the President and the Prime Minister. The directors-general of the NSI , the DGFI , and the BGB also serve in an advisory capacity when invited. Armed Forces Day is observed on 21 November and commemorates the founding of the three services of the Armed Forces, who subsequently initiated
1435-606: The three uniformed military services: the Bangladesh Army , the Bangladesh Navy , and the Bangladesh Air Force . The Armed Forces are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of Bangladesh , and are directly administered by the Armed Forces Division of the Prime Minister's Office . The President of Bangladesh serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh has
1476-835: The two countries deployed warships after Myanmar attempted to explore a disputed Bay of Bengal seabed for oil and gas. The dispute was resolved at an international tribunal in 2012. Bangladesh and Myanmar have also conducted counter-insurgency operations on the border. The following are the various gallantry, service and war medals of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh has consistently made large contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations. As of May 2007, Bangladesh had major deployments in Democratic Republic of Congo , Liberia , Lebanon , Sudan , Timor-Leste and Côte d'Ivoire . With 10,736 troops deployed, it ranks first in personnel contributions to UN peacekeeping. The government declined to participate in Iraq on
1517-526: The world, above a major and below a colonel . Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel . The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence. Sometimes, the term 'half-colonel' is used in casual conversation in the British Army. Additionally, in the U.S. Army 'light colonel' has been used informally in
1558-497: Was partitioned from the province of Bengal as East Bengal , joining the newly created state of Pakistan . Ethnic and sectional discrimination prevailed in all sectors of the state. Like other government sectors, Bengalis were under-represented in the Pakistani military too. Officers of Bengali origin in the different wings of the armed forces made up just 5% of overall force by 1965. West Pakistanis believed that Bengalis were not "martially inclined" unlike Pashtuns and Punjabis ;
1599-476: Was killed in a militant attack in Mali during MINUSMA . In 2015, Bangladesh deployed the first all-female peacekeeping unit in Haiti, composed of 160 Muslim female troops. The unit was the subject of the documentary Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers. Bangladesh trains peacekeepers in the purpose-built BIPSOT ( Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training ). In 2015, Bangladesh deployed boats to patrol
1640-476: Was soon overthrown by a socialist group of officers under Col. Abu Taher on 7 November who returned Ziaur Rahman to power—an event now called the Sipoy-Janata Biplob ( Soldiers and People's Coup ). Under the presidency of Ziaur Rahman, the military was reorganised to remove conflicts between rival factions and discontented cadre. However, Ziaur Rahman was himself overthrown in a 1981 coup attempt , and
1681-493: Was the first Bangladeshi officer who died on a peacekeeping mission abroad.128 Bangladeshi Peacekeepers were posthumously awarded Dag Hammarskjöld Medals . The performance of Bangladesh's contingents has been described as being of the highest order and the appointment of several senior Bangladesh military officers as the Commander of UN peacekeeping missions and Senior Military Liaison Officers, may be seen as further recognition of