The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been dissolved and begun operating as the Special Response Battalion (SRB) under the police, with the new unit starting operations on Wednesday.
RAB chief Ahsan Habib Palash confirmed the development. He said: “A gazette has been published under the name ‘Special Response Battalion (SRB).’”
All RAB activities have been carried out under the name SRB since Wednesday following the change. The new name was also reflected in an invitation letter issued for a press conference.
Meanwhile, the government published the gazette notification of the Special Response Battalion Act, 2026, on Tuesday.
The notification states that once the law takes effect, only those provisions of the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979, that were incorporated to provide the legal basis for forming RAB will be repealed.
However, the RAB (Court Procedures and Departmental Proceedings) Rules, 2005, issued under Section 14 of the ordinance, will remain in force.
Any departmental disciplinary action or court proceedings against a member of the unit under these rules or any other law or regulation will also remain valid and enforceable.
The SRB law further states that relevant RAB personnel, along with its orders, powers, authority, existing facilities, funds, cash and money in bank accounts, liabilities, contracts, movable and immovable property, account books, registers, records and related documents, will be transferred to and vested in the SRB immediately.
Amid objections from the opposition, Parliament passed a bill on Thursday to establish the SRB as a specialized unit. The government has now published the gazette notification of the law.
In 2003, amendments to the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance provided the legal basis for forming RAB. The force subsequently faced criticism over various activities.
The United Nations, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, and domestic and international human rights organizations have at various times recommended the dissolution of RAB in light of its past activities.
On December 10, 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and 7 serving and former senior officials of the force over allegations of human rights violations.