Bangladesh Armed Forces

Bangladesh Armed Forces বাংলাদেশ সশস্ত্র বাহিনী
Tri-service badge of Bangladesh Armed Forces.
Founded	April 4th, 1971
Service branches	বাংলাদেশ সেনা বাহিনী (Army) বাংলাদেশ নৌ বাহিনী (Navy) বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী (Air Force)
Headquarters	Dhaka Cantonment
Leadership
President of Bangladesh	Zillur Rahman
Prime Minister of Bangladesh	Sheikh Hasina Wajed
Manpower
Military age	19 years of age
Conscription	None
Available for military service	36,520,491, age 19–49 (2010 est.)
Fit for military service	30,486,086 males, age 19–49 (2010 est.), 35,616,093 females, age 19–49 (2010 est.)
Reaching military age annually	1,606,963 males (2010 est.), 1,689,442 females (2010 est.)
Active personnel	450,000
Deployed personnel	In UN missions - 10,855 (September 2010)
Expenditures
Budget	$1.33 billion (2010)
Percent of GDP	1.18% (2010)
Industry
Domestic suppliers	Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Bangladesh Ordnance Factories
Foreign suppliers	China  France  Germany  India  Russia  South Korea  Turkey  United Kingdom  United States  Pakistan
Related articles
History	Bangladesh Liberation War Gulf War

The Bangladesh Armed Forces consists of the three uniformed military services of Bangladesh: the Bangladesh Army, the Bangladesh Navy and the Bangladesh Air Force. The para-military Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs^[1] during peacetime, but during wartime they fall under the command of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy respectively. The Armed forces of Bangladesh is regarded as one of the most professional armed forces in the world.

The President of Bangladesh is the Commander-in-chief of the military, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is the principal administrative organization by which military policy is formulated and executed. The MoD is headed by the Minister of Defense, who is a civilian and a member of the Cabinet, usually held by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who also serves as the President's second-in-command of the military. To coordinate military policy with diplomacy both the President and the Prime Minister are advised by a six-member advisory board, three Chiefs of Staff, which includes the head of each of the regular services, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and Military Secretaries to the President and the Prime Minister. The Director Generals of the NSI, the DGFI and the BGB also serve in an advisory capacity.

The Armed Forces Day is observed on November 21. Official functions are held at "Bangabhaban", Dhaka, "Armed Forces Division Head Quarter", Dhaka Cantonment, and at every military installation throughout the country.

History of Bangladesh Forces

The modern history of the military of Bangladesh began its inception on the night of 25 March 1971. On 4 April 1971 under the command and leadership of the C-in-C Col(retd) M.A.G. Osmani, it began organization and creation with the title of Bangladesh Forces. During the first Sector Commanders Conference(held during July 11–17 of 1971) Bangladesh Forces were organized and formed for the ongoing independence war from Pakistan. It was significant in the sense that during this historic conference the Bangladesh Forces field command structure, sector reorganization, reinforcement, appointment of field commanders and tactics of warfare were decided upon and carried out. This conference was presided over jointly by the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed and Banga Bir Colonel M.A.G. Osmani Commander in Chief of all Bangladesh Forces. During this conference Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani was reinstated from retirement to active duty into the Armed Forces of Bangladesh as its senior most official, promoted from the rank of Colonel to General. Principal participants of this conference were Principal Military Representative of Bangladesh Government-in-Exile at Chakulia Guerilla Training Camp (Bihar) Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan, BDF Commander Sector 1 Major Ziaur Rahman, BDF Commander Sector 2 Major Khaled Mosharraf, BDF Commander Sector 3 Major K M Shafiullah, BDF Commander Sector 4 Major C R Datta, Major M. A. Jalil, Captain Rafiqul Islam, Lt. Col. Abdur Rab, Wing Commander Khademul Bashar, Major Najmul Haque, Major Mir Shawkat Ali. Lt. Col. Abdur Rab was appointed as Chief of Staff, Bangladesh Army. However, throughout the entire duration of the war Lt. Col. Rab remained in Tripura. Among the few non combatant staff present were Group Captain A. K. Khandker, who was later, during early August given appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff (Army - Liaison). Bangladesh was divided into Eleven Sectors under Sector Commanders. For better management of military operations each sector was divided into a combination of sub-sectors, commanded by a Sub-Sector Commander. The 10th Sector was kept under the direct command of the Commander in Chief and included the Naval Commandos as C-in-C’s special operations force. These commandos were later absorbed in to the Bangladesh Navy.

The Bangladesh Forces received tightly measured assistance from the meager resources of the Indian authorities soon after hostilities broke out. The Soviet Union and the U.S. was also keen to play Cold War politics in the region. The U.S. policy guided by then U.S. National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger was courting Pakistan to open ties with China, hence could not support the Bangladesh struggle for independence. However, Nixon's policy did supply emergency relief assistance to India and huge amount of military and financial aid to Pakistan. The USSR decided to assist India, eventually supported and immensely strengthened Indian efforts against Pakistan. Bangladesh's independence struggle gained from this assistance after India initially decided to support the official Bangladesh government and BD Forces, but also tacitly trained and supplied pro-Indian militia's Mujib Bahini, Hemayet Bahini and Kaderia Bahini with planning, training and arms under the direction and guidance of RAW chief R. N. Kao and SFF Inspector General Major General Sujat Singh Uban. The support to BD Forces culminated under the security umbrella provided by the Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty of August 1971.

Liberation War feminist role commemoration poster. The text reads "The mothers and daughters of Bengal are all freedom fighters"

On November 21, 1971, when the natural climate was dry and more adaptable and by which time the Bangladesh Forces had severely weakened the strength of the West Pakistani Forces through its guerilla operations, under a complicated politico-military scenario, a demand of the Indian government was conceded to by the Bangladesh Government-in-exile in Calcutta, which was handing over the full command and authority of its operations to the Indian armed forces. The Pakistani force had already suffered massive casualty from constant attacks by the BD Forces and was on the verge of collapse, they readily agreed to a cease fire without resistance in about one and a half weeks, on December 16, 1971. However, the cease fire was switched into a surrender document. The Bangladesh Forces C-in-C General M.A.G. Osmani and almost every member of the Bangladesh Forces, Sector Commanders who organised and led the war including Brigade S, K, and Z Force Commanders were barred from attending. No ambassadors, or other diplomats, the press, civilian representatives were invited to attend. Group Captain A. K. Khandker, the lone BD Forces non combatant staff member, managed to tag along with the Indian entourage and witnessed the show and returned to Kalyani, Calcutta, back on the same day with them. K M Shafiullah, S Force commander, and a handful of others were also among the hundreds of local masses who surrounded the event from a distance. "No protocol was set on what they were supposed to do". A fact Shafiullah admitted himself. "We rushed to the Race Course from the airport. I was quite near the signing table. But we were not sure what we were supposed to do. That's why I do not appear in any of the photographs. There was rejoicing all around by many Bangladesh citizens. Niazi was put on a jeep and sent away. Aurora and J.F.R. Jacob left the premise and immediately flew back after the signing. That night I did not come across anyone." -Major General Shafiullah spoke to Kaushik Sankar Das.^[2]

Victory was declared by the Indian authorities. All 93,000 prisoners of war and massive amount of captured war materials were taken to India. General Osmani and a few sector commanders arrived in Dhaka a day later, and set up the former Pakistan Army 14 Div HQ's, w.e.f Dec 17th 1971, as BD Forces Command Head Quarters, at Dhaka Cantonment. All closures and accounts were conducted from Osmani's C-in-C HQ at Dhaka Cantonment. Group Captain Muhammad Ghulam Tawab was appointed Osmani's first Deputy Commander in Chief after being able to return from Bangkok, Thailand on December 18, 1971. General Osmani and his deputy Group Captain Tawab remanied in command of BD Forces until April 7, 1972. However, due to internal politics conspired and spearheaded by Group Captain A.K. Khandker and members of the Awami League who resurfaced from Calcutta, India, almost more than a month after the war ended, managed to remove Tawab entirely from service in Bangladesh government. Bangladesh Forces were ordered on January 29, 1972 for demobilization of all sectors by end of February under the direction of the new Mujib government. General M.A.G Osmani held the final Sector Commanders Conference at the old Police HQ at 27 Mintu Road, Dhaka. The famous Bangladesh Forces Command group photograph was taken on that day. All sectors were abruptly shut down. No official accounts of war wounded, gallantry investigations, or weapons collection were done. Independent Bangladesh remained under Indian army occupation and total control for another three months after the war, with an ICS and a Indian army official in every official building of the Bangladesh government. Quickly realising this as a critical stage, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made a unilateral public demand to Indira Gandhi regarding the absolute, unconditional, and unequivocal withdrawal of all Indian officials and forces from Bangladesh. India withdrew its personnel within 2 days 17 to 19 March 1972.

The Bangladesh Forces was organized for War of Independence in 1971 into three brigade size units in 11(eleven) sectors.
BDF HQQ's 8 Theatre Road, Calcutta, India.
Prime Minister: Mr. Tajuddin Ahmad
BD Forces C-in-C: General Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani
BD Forces Principal Military Representative: Chakulia Guerilla Training Camp (Bihar) - Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan(Until June)

BD Forces Non-Combatant Staff :
BD Forces C-in-C's Military Secretary Major Chowdhury
BD Forces C-in-C's PSO I - Administration and Personnel
BD Forces C-in-C's PSO II - Operations and Training
BD Forces Chief of Staff Army Lt. Col. M. A. Rab (HQ Tripura)
BD Forces Deputy Chief of Army Group Captain A.K. Khandker (HQ Kalyani)

Map showing Bangladesh War of Independence Sectors

Bangladesh Forces Sectors and Subsectors

Sectors of Bangladesh Forces - War of Independence
Sector & Date of Formation	Area	Sector Commander	Sub Sectors (Commanders)
Sector 1 - April 4, 1971	Chittagong District, Chittagong Hill Tracts, and the entire eastern area of the Noakhali District on the banks of the river Muhuri. The headquarters of the sector was at Harina.	• Major Ziaur Rahman - Transferred (April 10, 1971 – May 10, 1971) • Major Rafiqul Islam (May 10, 1971 – February 14, 1972)	Rishimukh (Captain Shamsul Islam); Sreenagar (Captain Matiur Rahman, Captain Mahfuzur Rahman); Manughat (Captain Mahfuzur Rahman); Tabalchhari (Sergeant Ali Hossain); and Dimagiri (Army Sergeant, name unknown till today).
Sector 2 - April 4, 1971	Districts of Dhaka, Comilla, and Faridpur, and part of Noakhali District.	• Major Khaled Mosharraf - Transferred (April 10, 1971 – September 22, 1971) • Major ATM Haider (Sector Commander September 22, 1971 – December 18, 1972)	Gangasagar, Akhaura and Kasba (Mahbub, Lieutenant Farooq, and Lieutenant Humayun Kabir); Mandabhav (Captain Gaffar); Shalda-nadi (Mahmud Hasan); Matinagar (Lieutenant Didarul Alam); Nirbhoypur (Captain Akbar, Lieutenant Mahbub); and Rajnagar (Captain Jafar Imam, Captain Shahid, and Lieutenant Imamuzzaman)
Sector 3 - April 4, 1971	Area between Churaman Kathi (near Sreemangal) and Sylhet in the north and Singerbil of Brahmanbaria in the south.	• Major K M Shafiullah[3](April 10, 1971 – July 21, 1971) • Captain ANM Nuruzzaman (July 23, 1971 – February 14, 1972)	Asrambari (Captain Aziz, Captain Ejaz); Baghaibari (Captain Aziz, Captain) Ejaz); Hatkata (Captain Matiur Rahman); Simla (Captain Matin); Panchabati (Captain Nasim); Mantala (Captain MSA Bhuyan); Vijoynagar (Captain MSA Bhuyan); Kalachhora (Lieutenant Majumdar); Kalkalia (Lieutenant Golam Helal Morshed); and Bamutia (Lieutenant Sayeed)
Sector 4 - April 4, 1971	Area from Habiganj District on the north to Kanaighat Police Station on the south along the 100 mile long border with India. The headquarters of the sector was initially at Karimganj and later at Masimpur.	• Major Chittaranjan Datta (April 10, 1971 – February 14, 1972) • Captain A. Rab	Jalalpur (Mahbubur Rob Sadi); Barapunji (Captain A. Rab); Amlasid (Lieutenant Zahir); Kukital (Flight Lieutenant Kader, Captain Shariful Haq); Kailas Shahar (Lieutenant Wakiuzzaman); and Kamalpur (Captain Enam)
Sector 5	Area from Durgapur to Danki (Tamabil) of Sylhet District and the entire area up to the eastern borders of the district. The headquarters of the sector was at Shilong, Bharat.	• Major Mir Shawkat Ali - (July 30, 1971 – February 14, 1972)	Muktapur (Sergeant Nazir Hossain, Freedom Fighter Faruq was 2IC); Dauki (Sergeant Major BR Chowdhury); Shela (Captain Helal); Bholajanj (Lieutenant Taheruddin Akhunji); Balat (Sergeant Ghani, Captain Salahuddin and Enanmul Haq Chowdhury); and Barachhara (Captain Muslim Uddin).
Sector 11 - June 10, 1971	Mymensingh and Tangail along with parts of Rangpur - Gaibandha, Ulipur, Kamalpur and Chilmari. The headquarters of the sector was at Teldhala until October 10, then transferred to Mahendraganj.	• Major Ziaur Rahman - Transferred (May 15, 1971 – October 10, 1971) • Major Abu Taher - Transferred (October 10, 1971 – November 2, 1971) • Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan (November 2, 1971 – February 14, 1972)	Mankarchar (Squadron Leader M.Hamidullah Khan July 15 ~ November 2); Mahendraganj (Major Abu Taher August 18 ~ October 10 - Transferred; Lieutenant Mannan); Purakhasia (Lieutenant Hashem); Dhalu (Lieutenant Taher; Lieutenant Kamal); Rangra (Matiur Rahman) Shivabari (divided between JCOs of the EPR); Bagmara (divided between JCOs of the EPR); and Maheshkhola (a member of the EPR).
Sector 6	Rangpur District and part of Dinajpur District. The headquarters of the sector was at Burimari near Patgram.	• Wing Commander M Khademul Bashar - (July 30, 1971 – February 14, 1972)	Bhajanpur (Captain Nazrul, Flight Lieutenant Sadruddin and Captain Shahriyar); Patgram (Initially divided between JCOs of the EPR and later taken over by Captain Matiur Rahman); Sahebganj (Captain Nawazesh Uddin); Mogalhat (Captain Delwar); and Chilahati (Flight Lieutenant Iqbal)
Sector 7	Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra and part of Dinajpur District. The headquarters of the sector was at Taranngapur.	• Major Nazmul Huq (Aug 02 – August 20, 1971) • Major Kazi Nuruzzaman (August 21 – February 14, 1972) • Subedar Major A Rab	Malan (initially divided between JCOs and later taken over by Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir); Tapan (Major Nazmul Huq, also commanded by CO of the EPR); Mehdipur (Subedar Iliyas, Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir); Hamzapur (Captain Idris); Anginabad (unnamed freedom fighter); Sheikhpara (Captain Rashid); Thokrabari (Subedar Muazzam); and Lalgola (Captain Gheyasuddin Chowdhury).
Sector 8	In April 1971, the operational area of the sector comprised the districts of Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Faridpur and Patuakhali. At the end of May the sector was reconstituted and comprised the districts of Kuhstia, Jessore, Khulna, Satkhira and the northern part of Faridpur district. The headquarters of the sector was at Benapole.	• Major Abu Osman Chowdhury - Dishonorable discharge (May 15 – June 30, 1971) • Major Abul Manzur - Deceased (August 15, 1971 – February 14, 1972)	Boyra (Captain Khandokar Nazmul Huda); Hakimpur (Captain Shafiq Ullah); Bhomra (Captain Salahuddin, Captain Shahabuddin); Lalbazar (Captain AR Azam Chowdhury); Banpur (Captain Mostafizur Rahman); Benapole (Captain Abdul Halim, Captain Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury); and Shikarpur (Captain Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Lieutenant Jahangir).
Sector 9	Barisal, Patuakhali, and parts of the district of Khulna and Faridpur.	• Major M A Jalil - (July 17 – December 24, 1971) • Major Abul Manzur • Major Joynal Abedin	Taki; Hingalganj; and Shamshernagar.
Sector 10	This sector consisted of the Naval Commandos.	• Commander HQ BD Forces (December 3–16, 1971)	None.

BD Forces 1971 Brigades and Regiment Commanders

• K Force (Brigade) - Unit formed on August 30th, 1971, Commanded by Major Khaled Mosharraf (Commander - Sector 2)
  • 4th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -
  • 9th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -
  • 10th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -

• S Force (Brigade) - Unit formed on September 24th, 1971 Commanded by Major K M Shafiullah (Commander - Sector 4)
  • 2nd East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -
  • 11th East Bengal Regiment - Commanding Officer -

• Z Force (Brigade) - Unit formed on July 17th, 1971. Commanded by Major Ziaur Rahman (Commander - Sector 11 )
  • 1st East Bengal Regiment - CO - Major Ziauddin. 1st East Bengal Regiment's Senior Officer Major Ziauddin was appointed as CO on July 1st, 1971 after the operational attack on Pakistan Army BOP at Kamalpur took place.
    • - Battalion Adjutant/Quartermaster: Flight Lieutenant Liaqat Ali Khan
    • 'Alpha' Company Commander: Captain Mahbubur Rahman
    • 'Bravo' Company Commander: Captain Hafiz Uddin Ahmad
    • 'Charlie' Company Commander: Captain Salah Uddin Momtaz
    • Acting Company Commander - Second Lieutenant Anisur Rahman
    • Acting Platoon Commander - Second Lieutenant Wakar Hassan
  • 3rd East Bengal Regiment - CO : Major Shafaat Jamil.
    • - 2IC: Captain Mohsin Uddin Ahmad
    • - Battalion Adjutant: Flight Lieutenant Ashraful Alam
    • - RMO: Dr. Wasi Uddin
    • - Acting Company Commander: Second Lieutenant Fazle Hossain
    • - Company Officer: Flight Lieutenant Ashraful Alam
    • - Platoon Commander: Second Lieutenant Manzur Ahmad
    • 'Alpha' Company: Captain Anwar Hossain
    • 'Bravo' Company: Captain Akbar Hossain
    • 'Charlie' Company: Captain Mohsin Uddin Ahmad
  • 8th East Bengal Regiment - CO: Major Abu Zafar Muhammad Aminul Haque
    • - 2IC: Captain Khaleq Uz Zaman Chowdhury
    • - RMO: Dr. Belayet Hossain
    • - Acting Company Commander: Second Lieutenant Emdadul Haq
    • - Company Officer: Second Lieutenant Munibur Rahman
    • - Platoon Commander: Second Lieutenant Abu Zafar
    • 'Alpha' Company: Captain Khaleq Uz Zaman Chowdhury
    • 'Bravo' Company: Captain Sadeq Hossain
    • 'Charlie' Company: Lieutenant Modasser Hossain
    • 'Delta' Company: Lieutenant Mahbubur Rahman
  • 2nd Field Artillery Battery (Rawshanara Battery) - CO: Major Khandkar Abdur Rashid. During mid September six 105mm Howitzers were delivered at Assam's Masimpur district from India's Echo sector. Primarily with these six artillery pieces the 2nd FA battery was formed at Koishal, India, opposite Sylhet border area. From 10th October, 2nd FA battery assisted Z Force in the Sylhet sector in direct fire support and ground operations during multiple missions against Pakistan army strongholds.
    • - Battery Adjutant: Captain A. M. Rashed Chowdhury
    • - Battery Officer: Second Lieutenant Kazi Sazzad Ali Zahir
  • No. 1 Signal Company - Unit formed on 5th September 1971, CO: Captain Abdul Halim. Since October the First Signal Company of Bangladesh Forces was assigned to Z Force's 8th East Bengal Regiment and participated in every single mission. Notably in the Sylhet zone 4th and 5th Sector's Borolekha, Fultola, Adamtila, Biyani Bazar operations.

Role of the Military

The Bangladesh Forces fully structured by September 1971, organised itself officially as the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force. The current strength of Bangladesh Army is estimated to be more than 150,000+ personnel, while Bangladesh Air Force consists of more than 22,000 personnel and Bangladesh Navy with 24,000 personnel [2]. The forces perform traditional military missions. The Bangladesh Coast Guard under the Home Ministry, plays a stronger role in the area of anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and protection of offshore resources. Recognition of economic and fiscal constraints has led to the establishment of several paramilitary and auxiliary forces, including the 67,000 member Border Guard Bangladesh and the 4,900,000 member Ansars and Village Defense Parties Organization. The Border Guards Bangladesh, under the Home Ministry, are commanded by army officers who are seconded to the organization.

In addition to traditional defense roles, the military has been called upon to provide support to civil authorities for disaster relief and internal security. The military of Bangladesh fought tribal insurgents in Chittagong Hill Tracts since mid 1970s. In November 2008, Bangladesh Navy effectively staved off economic aggression by Myanmar in the seas of Bangladesh. Occasionally the military forces have been called to participate in social activities like rehabilitation of people following a flood or cyclone. Since late 1980s, it has earned international reputation by working as part of United Nation Peace Keeping Missions in different countries of the world. The Bangladesh military is recognized as a disciplined and well-trained national institution that can tackle critical national phases. A 2,300-member Bangladesh Army contingent served with coalition forces during the 1991 Gulf war. Bangladesh is currently the highest contributor (with 10,855 troops, as of September 2010) to United Nations peacekeeping operations, with an infantry battalion in UNIKOM (Kuwait), an engineer battalion in UNTAET, (East Timor) and another infantry battalion service in Sierra Leone in May 2000.

Medals and Awards

• Bir Sreshtho
• Bir Uttom
• Bir Bikrom
• Bir Protik

Bangladesh Armed Forces Current Deployments

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 Cote d'Ivoire.^[4] With 10,736 troops deployed, it ranks first in personnel contributions to UN peacekeeping.^[5] The government declined to participate in Iraq on a request from USA. The deployment to Liberia began in October 2003 and has remained at a level of about 3200 who are participating in peacekeeping, charitable activities and infrastructure development.

Armed Forces training

Officers are trained and educated for two and a half 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 Defense Services Command and Staff College at Mirpur, while senior officers attend the National Defence University and Armed Forces War Course. Many attend the MIST while serving. Officers of the Army Medical Corps are recruited after graduation from civil medical colleges. They undergo basic military training at 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 the services directly.^[6].

Armed Forces ranks

Bangladesh military ranks, essentially corresponds to those used by the armed forces of the commonwealth nations.

There are three different systems of rank for commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force. The Para-military force Border Guards Bangladesh follows the same rank structure as the Bangladesh Army. Bangladesh Coast Guard follows the naval rank structure.

Army	Navy	Air Force	Coast Guard
General	Admiral	Air Chief Marshal	Admiral
Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral	Air Marshal	Vice Admiral
Major General	Rear Admiral	Air Vice Marshal	Rear Admiral
Brigadier General	Commodore	Air Commodore	Commodore
Colonel	Captain	Group Captain	Captain
Lieutenant Colonel	Commander	Wing Commander	Commander
Major	Lieutenant Commander	Squadron Leader	Lieutenant Commander
Captain	Lieutenant	Flight Lieutenant	Lieutenant
Lieutenant	Sub Lieutenant	Flying Officer	Sub Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant	Midshipman	Pilot Officer	Midshipman
Officer Cadet	Naval Cadet	Flight Cadet	Coast Guard Cadet

The first officer to hold the rank of General in the Bangladesh Armed Forces was Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani, Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Forces in 1971. He was reinstated into active duty and officially appointed as C-in-C Bangladesh Forces. Min. of Defense Notification of his release - No. 01/17/72(NGO) 108 DEF/SECY-7 April 1972/// With intention to effectively participate in the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly as an MCA, General M.A.G. Osmani, Psc, resigned his appointment as C-in-C Bangladesh Forces and his resignation having been accepted by the President, he vacated his temporary appointment of C-in-C Bangladesh Armed Forces w.e.f. 7 April 1972(forenoon) and his offices at (OLD) 14 Division Head Quarters at Dhaka Cantonment. Accordingly, he is reverted to the MOD Pension List from the same date henceforth. NO.01-31-33/72-110(3) DEF/SECY-7 April 1972 (forenoon)//With the vacation of the temporary Appointed C-in-C of Bangladesh Forces, the combined command of Bangladesh Armed Forces has been abolished and all its operations ceased w.e.f. 7 April (forenoon) and replaced by the three separate forces of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force under the Ministry of Defense, while Bangladesh Rifles will be under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs. Following this Memorandum, the appointment of three acting Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Services will take effect immediately until further orders.

Organization

Regular Forces

• Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini)
• Bangladesh Navy (Nou Bahini)
• Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini)

Para-military Forces

• Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)
• Bangladesh Coast Guard

Civil Forces and Reserves

• Bangladesh Ansar
• Village Defence Party (VDP)
• Bangladesh National Cadet Corps ( BNCC )

Specialized Forces

• Presidents Guard Regiment (PGR) - Banga Bhaban
• Para-commandos - Bangladesh Army (Assigned to Paratrooper Battalion of EBR & BIR)
• Special Warfare Diving And Salvage (SWADS) - Bangladesh Navy

Military districts

Dhaka Cantonment

• HQ All Military Lands
• HQ Cantonment Boards
• HQ's of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy & Bangladesh Air Force
• HQ's Armed Forces Medical and Nursing Corps (AFMNC)
• HQ's Armed Forces Recruiting Centre (AFRC)
• HQ's Cantonment Public Schools
• HQ's Armed Forces Library
• Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Testing (AFIPT)
• National Armed Forces Cemetery

Educational and Training Institutes

• Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA), Bhatiary, Chittagong
• School of Infantry and Tactics (SI&T), Jalalabad Cantonment, Sylhet.
• Defense Services Command and Staff College (DSC&SC), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka.
• National Defence College (NDC), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka.
• Military Institute of Science & Technology (MIST), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka.
• Armoured Corps Center & School (ACC&S), Jahangirabad Cantonment, Bogra.
• Engineer Centre and School of Military Engineering, Quadirabad Cantonment, Natore.
• Signal Training Centre and School, Jessore Cantonment, Jessore.
• Army Service Corp Center & School, Jahanabad Cantonment, Khulna.
• Army Medical Corps Center & School, Shaheed Salahuddin Cantonment,Ghatail, Tangail.
• Ordnance Corps Centre & School, Rajendrapur Cantonment, Gazipur
• Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), Rajendrapur Cantonment, Gazipur.
• Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Centre and School, Saidpur Cantonment, Nilphamari.
• Corps of Military Police Centre and School, Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment, Ghatail, Tangail.
• Army School of Education and Administration, Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment,Ghatail, Tangail.
• Army School of Physical Training and Sports (ASPTS), Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka.
• Army School of Music, Chittagong Cantonment, Chittagong.
• Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka.
• Artillery Center and School, Halishahar, Chittagong.
• School of Military Intelligence, Moynamoti Cantonment, Comilla.
• East Bengal Regimental Center, Chittagong Cantonment, Chittagong.
• Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Center, Rajshahi Cantonment, Rajshahi.
• Non Commissioned Officers Academy, Jahangirabad Cantonment, Bogra.
• Bangladesh University Of Professionals(BUP), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka.
• Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka.

Training Institutes of Bangladesh Air Force

• Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA), Jessore.
• Flying Instructors School (FIS), Bogra.
• Command and Staff Training Institute (CSTI), Dhaka.
• Flight Safety Institute (FSI), Dhaka.
• Officers' Training School (OTS), Jessore.
• Aero-Medical Institute (AMI), Dhaka.
• Fighter Controller Training Unit (FCTU), Dhaka.
• School of Physical Fitness (SOPF), Dhaka.
• Recruits Training School (RTS), Chittagong.
• Training Wing (TW), Chittagong.
• Mechanical Transport Driving School (MTDS), Shamsher Nagar.

Cantonments

• Bandarban Cantonment (Chittagong Hill Tracts)
• Chittagong Cantonment (Chittagong)
• Dhaka Cantonment (Dhaka)
• Majhira Cantonment (Bogra)
• Jahanabad Cantonment (Khulna)
• Jahangirabad Cantonment (Bogra)
• Jalalabad Cantonment (Sylhet)
• Jessore Cantonment (Jessore)
• Khagrachari Cantonment (Chittagong Hill Tracts)
• Mirpur Cantonment (Mirpur)
• Moynamoti Cantonment (Comilla)
• Mymensingh Cantonment (Mymensingh)
• Quadirabad Cantonment (Natore)
• Doyarampur Cantonment (Natore)
• Rajendrapur Cantonment (Gazipur)
• Rajshahi Cantonment (Rajshahi)
• Rangamati Cantonment (Chittagong Hill Tracts)
• Rangpur Cantonment (Rangpur)
• Syedpur Cantonment (Syedpur)
• Savar Cantonment (Savar)
• Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment (Ghatail)

See also

• Government of Bangladesh

References

1. ^ http://www.mha.gov.bd/
2. ^ http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2004/victory_day/vic02.htm
3. ^ http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/982445
4. ^ UN Mission's Summary detailed by Country, Monthly Summary of Contributors of Military and Civilian Police Personnel, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations, 2007-5-31
5. ^ Ranking of Military and Police Contributions to UN Operations, Monthly Summary of Contributors of Military and Civilian Police Personnel, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations, 2007-5-31
6. ^ [1]

External links

• Official Website of Bangladesh Army
• Official Website of Bangladesh Air Force
• CIA World Factbook 2001
• Bangladesh Military
• Bangladesh Navy