Directorate General of Forces Intelligence

Directorate General of Forces Intelligence
Director General : Mohammed Akbar Hossain
Department  : Intelligence
Established  : 1972
Major departments:
Notable Directors:
General Sheikh Mamun Khaled Major General ATM Amin Major General Mohabbat Jan Chowdhury Golam Mohammad ASM Nazrul Islam Major General Sadiq Hasan

The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) is the military intelligence service of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, which supplies the Bangladeshi Government with both national and foreign intelligence.^[2] DGFI is Operationally responsible for providing national security and intelligence informations to Bangladesh Government and Armed Forces. Although DGFI was formed as a Military Intelligence, over time It has established itself as the principal and Intelligence unit in Bangladesh alongside National Security Intelligence (NSI).^[3] DGFI operates jointly with it Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau (CTIB).

The DGFI's primary role is to collect, collate, evaluate and disseminate all services strategical and topographical intelligence about Law and Order situation,armed forces and to ensure counter intelligence and security measures for Bangladesh Government and Bangladesh Armed Forces .^[4]

Although all defense information are kept classified by the Agency and Armed Forces, There are reports that DGFI had the largest budget in Bangladeshi intelligence community. The DGFI has been involved in most paramilitary operations as well as Counter-terrorism and Cyberwarfare.^[5]

DGFI is regarded as one of the most dreaded intelligence agency in the world due to it's aggressive techniques.^[6] The Agency has received sheer criticism from Human Rights Watch for it's brutal interrogation techniques, Targeted killing, Assassinations and it's involvement with various militant outfits. ^{[7][8] [9][10]}

Purpose

To collect, collate, evaluate and disseminate all services strategical and topographical intelligence about Law and Order situation,armed forces and to ensure counter intelligence and security measures for Bangladesh Government and Bangladesh Armed Forces .

According to its fiscal 2014 budget, the DGFI's top priorities are:

• Counter terrorism, the top priority.
• Counterintelligence, with India, Myanmar and Pakistan described as priority targets.
• Apprise Bangladeshi Government with important overseas events.
• Apprise Bangladeshi Government about any activities that threatens National security.
• Cyber Intelligence
• Military intelligence
• Joint Intelligence

History

The Agency was established on 20 January 1972 by the 1st President of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, originally named Directorate of Forces Intelligence (DFI), as principal military intelligence of Bangladesh Armed Forces. DFI was later heavily modernized by Chief of Army Staff and 7st President of Bangladesh Shaheed Major Gen. Ziaur Rahman and renamed to Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) . According to retired Army Personnel, the administrative and operational structure of DGFI was exactly on the same line as that of the Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The Headquarters of DGFI was originally located at Bailey Road, Dhaka and Captain K.M Aminul Islam was appointed as the first Director General of the agency. On 2 November 1972, the Agency was relocated at Dhaka Cantonment.

During 1994, The organizational structure was revised and new organogram was implemented on 8 March 1994. DGFI Headquarters was permanently relocated inside a 14th Storied Tower near Rajanigantha Area inside Dhaka Cantonment. Current DGFI Director, Major General Mohammad Akbar Hossain is the 24th Director General of the Agency, since he took over his assignment on 10 March 2013 succeeding Major General Sheikh Mamun Khaled . ^[11][11]

Training

The DGFI recruits selective personnel from Bangladesh Armed Forces which includes Army, Air Force and Navy. The personnel undergo extensive intelligence training within country and abroad. DGFI holds a very close relation with CIA, MI6, New Zealand's GCSB and ISI and frequently holds joint exercises and operations. DGFI also has training camps in various cities across Bangladesh including Comilla, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet.

Recruitment

Only members of the Armed Forces are eligible to join the DGFI. The committee recruits the most efficient officers from the three branches of the Armed Forces. Apart from that, there are unofficial reports claiming DGFI employing more than 100,000 civilians as mole around the country.

Major Operations^[12]

Bangladesh

DGFI; being the most important intelligence agency in Bangladesh, operates in all 64 districts.

India

It maintains a cordial relation with India. ^[13]

Pakistan

It maintains a cordial relation with Pakistan.

Myanmar

It maintains a cordial relation with Myanmar.

Africa

DGFI got a strong foothold in African Nations due to Bangladeshi Army presence in those countries. Bangladesh currently have more than 10000 Army Personnel Active in countries such as Somalia, Congo and rest of Africa. Bangladesh Air Force and Navy also have good presence there.

References