In a significant reshuffle of the military’s top leadership, the Bangladesh Army underwent several high-profile changes on Sunday afternoon.
The changes, issued by Army Headquarters, affect key strategic commands as well as the country’s premier military intelligence agency, shortly after the formation of the new government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Several senior army officials confirmed the developments to Dhaka Tribune on Sunday evening.
Lieutenant General Muhammad Mainur Rahman has been appointed chief of general staff (CGS) of the Bangladesh Army. Prior to the appointment, he served as general officer commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC).
He succeeds Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim, who has recently proceeded on retirement leave.
Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury has been appointed director general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Currently serving as a brigadier general at Army Headquarters, he will assume the post upon his promotion to major general.
He replaces Major General Mohammad Jahangir Alam, who has been deputed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador.
The reshuffle also includes the appointment of Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman as principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division. He previously served as the GOC of the 24th Infantry Division in Chittagong.
Meanwhile, outgoing PSO Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hasan has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador.
The Army Headquarters orders also include several field-level command changes. Major General JM Emdadul Islam has been appointed commandant of the East Bengal Regimental Centre (EBRC), while Major General Ferdous Hasan Salim has been posted as GOC of the 24th Infantry Division.
In addition, Brigadier General Md Hafizur Rahman, currently serving as defence adviser in India and attached to the DGFI, has been promoted to major general and will be posted as GOC of the 55th Infantry Division upon completion of the necessary formalities and his return to Bangladesh.