Bangladesh Military Gets Major Reshuffle Days After Tarique Rahman Takes Power
New Chief of General Staff Appointed as BNP Government Reorganises Key Strategic Commands and Military Intelligence
Bangladesh's military has undergone a sweeping leadership reshuffle just days after Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister on February 17, with changes spanning the country's top strategic commands, its premier military intelligence directorate, and several senior field appointments — signalling the new BNP government's intent to stamp its authority on the armed forces from the outset.
The most significant appointment sees Lieutenant General M Mainur Rahman, previously the General Officer Commanding of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), elevated to the post of Chief of General Staff (CGS). He succeeds Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim, who has proceeded on retirement leave.
In a move with significant strategic implications, Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury has been appointed Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) — Bangladesh's premier military intelligence agency — upon his promotion to major general. He replaces Major General Mohammad Jahangir Alam, who has been deputed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an ambassadorial posting abroad.
The post of Principal Staff Officer has also changed hands, with Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hasan being replaced by the newly promoted Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman. Hasan, too, has been attached to the foreign ministry for an overseas ambassadorial role.
In a development likely to attract attention in New Delhi, the BNP government has recalled Brigadier General Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, who was serving as the defence adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission in India. Promoted to major general, he has been appointed General Officer Commanding of the 55th Infantry Division. His predecessor at the division, Major General JM Imdadul Islam, has been moved to the post of Commandant of the East Bengal Regimental Centre (EBRC).
The sweeping changes follow the BNP's landslide victory in the February 12 elections, where the party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority, ending Muhammad Yunus' 18-month rule and setting the stage for Rahman's government to consolidate power across both the civilian and military establishment.