Bangladeshi intelligence community: Difference between revisions
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==Other agencies== |
==Other agencies== |
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The [[Special Branch]] of the [[Bangladesh Police]] is responsible for [[criminal investigation]] as well as tasks of counterintelligence and domestic intelligence.<ref name="CS">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security]</ref> Another important organ is the [[Presidential Security Force]]. Formed by former president [[Hossain Mohammad Ershad]], the force is charged with the personal security of the [[President of Bangladesh]] and his family. The commander of the Presidential Security Force is an army [[brigadier]] who reports directly to the president. |
The [[Special Branch]] of the [[Bangladesh Police]] is responsible for [[criminal investigation]] as well as tasks of counterintelligence and domestic intelligence.<ref name="CS">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0146) Bangladesh Intelligence and Security]</ref> Another important organ is the [[Presidential Security Force]]. Formed by former president [[Hossain Mohammad Ershad]], the force is charged with the personal security of the [[President of Bangladesh]] and his family. The commander of the Presidential Security Force is an army [[brigadier]] who reports directly to the president. |
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==Controversies== |
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Although their role and structure is clearly defined and governed by law, Bangladesh's intelligence community has been criticised for alleged ties to terrorist groups and foreign intelligence agencies.<ref name="ISI">[http://www.acdis.uiuc.edu/research/OPs/Saikia/contents/chap_two.html Terror Sans Frontiers: Islamic Militancy in North East India]</ref> During the military regimes of [[Ziaur Rahman]] and [[Hossain Mohammad Ershad]], Bangladesh's intelligence agencies were seen as highly politicised and instrumental in the repression of political activities and the opponents of the incumbent ruler.<ref name="VS">[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/02/opinion/edkhali.php Surviving torture in Bangladesh]</ref> In the 1990s and early 200s, controversy arose over the alleged links maintained by Bangladeshi intelligence agencies with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of Pakistan and their patronage of anti-[[India]] separatist groups such as the [[United Liberation Front of Assam]] (ULFA) and [[Islamic terrorism|Islamic terrorist]] outfits such as the [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]] (HUJI).<ref name="ISI">[http://www.acdis.uiuc.edu/research/OPs/Saikia/contents/chap_two.html Terror Sans Frontiers: Islamic Militancy in North East India]</ref><ref name="V">[http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/09raman.htm ULFA, an agent for India's enemies]</ref><ref name="HUJI">]http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/03/stories/2005110300721000.htm The Bangladesh Challenge]</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 18:06, 20 May 2008
The Bangladeshi intelligence community consists of several intelligence agencies charged with carrying out espionage, counter-espionage and other functions vital for the national security of Bangladesh. The most important intelligence outfits are the National Security Intelligence and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence.
History
The organisation and structure of the modern Bangladeshi intelligence community is derived largely from agencies that functioned during the period of British Raj and Pakistani rule in the country, which included the Intelligence Bureau and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the Mukti Bahini nationalist guerrilla force also developed its own espionage organs.
National Security Intelligence
The National Security Intelligence, also known as the Directorate-General of National Security Intelligence is the primary intelligence agency responsible for internal security, foreign intelligence and counterintelligence.[1] Although distinct from the Military of Bangladesh, it is led by a senior military officer.[1] It reports directly to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Directorate-General of Forces Intelligence
The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) is the main military intelligence outfit, responsible for intelligence gathering for all military purposes.[1] The DGFI also includes subdivisions specifically serving the Bangladeshi Army, the Bangladeshi Navy and the Bangladeshi Air Force, but the agency itself is distinct and unified for all military intelligence functions.[1]
Other agencies
The Special Branch of the Bangladesh Police is responsible for criminal investigation as well as tasks of counterintelligence and domestic intelligence.[1] Another important organ is the Presidential Security Force. Formed by former president Hossain Mohammad Ershad, the force is charged with the personal security of the President of Bangladesh and his family. The commander of the Presidential Security Force is an army brigadier who reports directly to the president.
Controversies
Although their role and structure is clearly defined and governed by law, Bangladesh's intelligence community has been criticised for alleged ties to terrorist groups and foreign intelligence agencies.[2] During the military regimes of Ziaur Rahman and Hossain Mohammad Ershad, Bangladesh's intelligence agencies were seen as highly politicised and instrumental in the repression of political activities and the opponents of the incumbent ruler.[3] In the 1990s and early 200s, controversy arose over the alleged links maintained by Bangladeshi intelligence agencies with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of Pakistan and their patronage of anti-India separatist groups such as the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Islamic terrorist outfits such as the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI).[2][4][5]