Since the resignation of the Bangladesh Awami League government, only Major General Zia of the National Telecommunications and Monitoring Center has been dismissed. While some senior officials have been reshuffled to divert public attention, there has been no change among the field commanders who were involved in human rights violations during the student movement. Although the heads of the notorious intelligence agencies DGFI and NSI have been replaced, most of the directors at the Brigadier General level, who have been implicated in extrajudicial killings and are closely associated with the Awami League government, remain in their positions.
This dangerous alliance of intelligence agencies, field commanders, and senior staff officers poses a serious threat to Dr. Yunus’s interim government. The Chief of Army Staff (CAS) is surrounded by these influential individuals. For example, Lieutenant General Tabrez Shams, formerly the Director General of DGFI and known as a key figure behind the infamous Aynaghar, has been appointed as Quartermaster General. If the current CAS is unable to perform his duties, there is a strong possibility that Tabrez Shams could become the next CAS.
During the recent crisis, Lieutenant General Mujib reportedly instructed field commanders to use excessive force and maintained direct contact with Awami League ministers, bypassing the Army Chief. Currently stationed in Mymensingh as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), Mujib has allegedly gathered several platoons there with a covert agenda. He has also provided shelter to 250 Indian Embassy personnel and high-level political leaders within the Dhaka Cantonment, potentially inciting unrest when the opportunity arises. As a former Director General of the Special Security Force (SSF), he still holds significant influence over the security forces responsible for the Chief Advisor’s protection.
Major General Moin, GOC of the 9th Division, has been reported to have used brutal force during operations in Jatrabari and other locations. His Artillery Brigade Commander, Brigadier Mahmud, a staunch supporter of the Bangladesh Awami League, employed lethal force in the Narayanganj area. On the other hand, Brigadier Saifullah, who previously served as the Military Assistant to Sheikh Hasina, led operations at Jahangirnagar University. Under Major General Moin’s supervision, the 9th Division poses a dangerous threat to the government.
Major General Mahbub of the 55th Division, currently appointed at DGDP, who served as an aide to Sheikh Hasina for five years, is actively attempting to incite rebellion in Gopalganj to destabilize the current government. He is suspected of orchestrating a recent attack on army personnel in Gopalganj, which disrupted the transportation of ammunition. Surprisingly, he has taken no action against the attackers and is reportedly still receiving instructions from Hasina and Rehana. A viral video of Major General Mahbub bowing before Hasina has severely damaged the army’s reputation. He has also provided shelter to Awami League activists in Jessore and Khulna Cantonments, as well as at his residence in Dhaka. Close to Major General Zia, Major General Mahbub maintains regular contact with Gopalganj Awami League leaders, directing them to exert pressure on the government. He even ordered support for the Awami League during the August 15th program.
Major General Mamun of the 11th Division, originating from Gopalganj and closely associated with the 55th Division, could collaborate in efforts to destabilize the government. He initiated the deployment of additional forces to suppress student protests in Dhaka. Despite changes in the top leadership of DG Ansar, there have been no changes at the director level of DGFI and NSI, who continue to maintain contact with former leaders and Awami League officials.
For example, Brigadier General Imran of NSI, a former Army Service Corps officer from the 29th Long Course, is closely linked with General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, who was the mastermind behind extrajudicial killings during his tenure at the Rapid Action Battalion. Brigadier Generals Imrul and Sadi, both from the 32nd Long Course, are similarly connected to former DG TM Zobayer and have histories of involvement in extrajudicial killings.
In DGFI, Brigadier General Mizan, currently the Director of Administration and the former Dhaka Detachment Commander, remains loyal to Major General Hamid. Meanwhile, Brigadier General Tofail, who has been sanctioned by the United States for human rights violations, continues to maintain his connections with Awami League and business leaders.
In summary, there have been no significant changes in the army’s command structure over the past ten days. The same individuals continue to conspire against the interim government, and if immediate restructuring is not implemented, the threat of a coup remains imminent.
- Zulkarnain Sayer (Translated and Adapted)
