The Armed Forces Division (AFD) (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ সশস্ত্র বাহিনী বিভাগ) is the principal national command authority for national defense of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The command and control of the Bangladesh Armed Forces is exercised in this division, under direct control and supervision by the prime minister, who is also in charge of Ministry of Defence.[1] The headquarters is located in Dhaka Cantonment.[2]
| বাংলাদেশ সশস্ত্র বাহিনী বিভাগ | |
 Seal of the Armed Forces Division | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 10 November 1986 |
| Jurisdiction | Bangladesh Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Prime Minister's Office, Dhaka Cantonment |
| Prime Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent agency | Prime Minister's Office |
| Website | Armed Forces Division |
History
editIn 1976, the then President Ziaur Rahman organised and created the Commander-in-Chief's Secretariat under the office of the President, consolidating central authority dealing with all national security issues while operating under various degrees of authority and responsibility under Ministry of Defense. President Abdus Sattar intended to further organize and structure the body into Bangladesh National Security Council under the office of the President. However, President Hossain Mohammad Ershad put an immediate hold to bringing the NSC under full civilian control after seizing state power. It was named the Supreme Command Headquarters after 8 years, on 10 November 1986 sealing armed forces control over national security.
After 1991, the presidential system of government by Act of Parliament was abolished, and by October 1994, the Armed Forces Division was integrated into the Prime Minister's Office and concurrently the combined armed forces authority was transferred to this government body.[3] The Armed Forces Division provide directive to the military of Bangladesh during disaster relief operations. Its officers are members of the National Disaster Management Council. The division coordinates relief operations with the Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation, Disaster Management Bureau and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.[4] In 2017, the ministry coordinated with the division to handle the influx of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.[5][6]
Organization
editArmed Forces Division is composed of Principal Staff Officer's Office, five Directorates and an Administrative Company.
The Directorates are:
- Operations and Plans Directorate (O & P).
- Training Directorate (Trg).
- Civil and Military Relation Directorate (CMR).
- Administration and Logistics Directorate (A&L).
- Intelligence Directorate (Int).
References
edit- ^ "Lt Gen Mahfuzur Rahman appointed as new Armed Forces Division PSO". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
- ^ "A RAY OF HOPE". The Daily Star. 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
- ^ Division, Armed Forces. "History of AFD". www.afd.gov.bd. Archived from the original on 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
- ^ Kaushiva, Vice Admiral Pradeep; Singh, Commander Abhijit (2013-02-15). Indian Ocean Challenges: A Quest for Cooperative Solutions: A Quest for Cooperative Solutions. KW Publishers Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789385714894.
- ^ "Rohingya Refugees: Govt plans big to ease plight". The Daily Star. 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
- ^ "Govt caught unawares by Rohingya exodus". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2017-09-22.