Bangladeshi intelligence community

The Bangladeshi intelligence community consists of several intelligence agencies charged with carrying out espionage, counter-espionage and other functions vital for the national security of Bangladesh. The most important intelligence outfits are the National Security Intelligence and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence. The organisation and structure of the modern Bangladeshi intelligence community is derived largely from agencies that functioned during the British colonial and East Pakistan periods of the country, which included the Intelligence Bureau and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the Mukti Bahini nationalist guerrilla force also developed an intelligence network within its organisation of guerrilla combat teams that provided the allied Indian Army with essential local intelligence. [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/M_0380.htm Mukti Bahini] ] [http://www.ipcs.org/printMilitary.jsp?action=showView&kValue=235&military=1013 Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies] ]

National Security Intelligence

The National Security Intelligence, also known as the Directorate-General of National Security Intelligence is the primary intelligence agency responsible for internal security (including internal political affairs), foreign intelligence and counterintelligence. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security] ] Although distinct from the Military of Bangladesh, it is led by a senior military officer. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security] ] It reports directly to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Directorate-General of Forces Intelligence

The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) is the main military intelligence outfit, responsible for intelligence gathering for all military purposes. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security] ] The DGFI also includes subdivisions specifically serving the Bangladeshi Army, the Bangladeshi Navy and the Bangladeshi Air Force, but the agency itself is distinct and unified for all military intelligence functions. It is also responsible for policing the ranks within the services in light of Bangladesh's history of military coups. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security] ]

Other agencies

The Special Branch of the Bangladesh Police is responsible for criminal investigation as well as tasks of counterintelligence and domestic intelligence. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security] ] Another important organ is the President's Guard Regiment. Formed by former president Hossain Mohammad Ershad, the force is charged with the personal security of the President of Bangladesh and his family. The commander of the Presidential Security Force is an army brigadier who reports directly to the president. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security] ]

Controversies

Although their role and structure is clearly defined and governed by law, Bangladesh's intelligence community has been criticised in the media and by other governments and agencies for alleged ties to terrorist groups and foreign intelligence agencies. [http://www.acdis.uiuc.edu/research/OPs/Saikia/contents/chap_two.html Terror Sans Frontiers: Islamic Militancy in North East India] ] During the military regimes of Ziaur Rahman and Hossain Mohammad Ershad, Bangladesh's intelligence agencies were seen as highly politicised and active in the repression of political activities. [http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/02/opinion/edkhali.php Surviving torture in Bangladesh] ] During Ershad's rule, intelligence chiefs were amongst the president's closest advisers. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security] ] In the 1990s and early 200s, controversy arose over the alleged links maintained by Bangladeshi intelligence agencies with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of Pakistan and their patronage of anti-India separatist groups such as the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Islamic terrorist outfits such as the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI). [http://www.acdis.uiuc.edu/research/OPs/Saikia/contents/chap_two.html Terror Sans Frontiers: Islamic Militancy in North East India] ] [http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/09raman.htm ULFA, an agent for India's enemies] ] [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/03/stories/2005110300721000.htm The Bangladesh Challenge] ]

References