Several Army officers reshuffled in Bangladesh

New Delhi, Aug 06: In fast-changing developments following the resignation and fleeing of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister yesterday, and just before the announcement of an interim government, several top positions in the Bangladesh Army have been reshuffled, Bangladesh media reported quoting officials of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement today detailing the changes.

Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan, previously the director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), has been relieved from his duties. He will be succeeded by Maj Gen ASM Ridwanur Rahman as the new NTMC director general. Additionally, Lt Gen Md Saiful Alam has been assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Other key appointments include Lt Gen Mizanur Rahman Shamim as the new Chief of General Staff of the Army, Lt Gen Mujibur Rahman as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Lt Gen Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury as the Quarter Master General. Lt Gen Mohammad Shaheenul Haque has been appointed Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC).

These military changes come amid a rapidly shifting political landscape in Bangladesh. Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has agreed to serve as the chief adviser to the interim government. In a parallel development, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the 12th parliament, which was formed following the January 7 national election. Furthermore, Bangladesh National Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been released, and efforts to free those detained between July and August are underway, with many already out of custody.