United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman on Thursday visited an army camp at the National Stadium in Gulistan in Dhaka and held coordination meetings with civil administration and law enforcement officials to review security preparations for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for 2026. During the visit, the army chief inspected the army camp and exchanged views with senior military officials, representatives of the Dhaka metropolitan, divisional and district administrations, and members of various law enforcement agencies. At a meeting held at the National Stadium conference room, discussions focused on ensuring a peaceful, neutral and fair election through strong inter-agency coordination and comprehensive security management. Read More: British High Commissioner meets Army Chief  The army chief stressed the importance of professionalism, neutrality, discipline, patience and citizen-friendly conduct while performing election-related duties. He also observed the activities of army personnel deployed under the “in aid to the civil power” arrangement and provided necessary guidance on the ground. Senior military officials, including the General Officer Commanding of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the GOC of the 9 Infantry Division and Area Commander of Savar Area, along with senior officers from Army Headquarters, Dhaka and Savar areas, were present during the visit. Senior officials from the civil administration, law enforcement agencies and representatives of various media outlets also attended the programme. According to ISPR, as part of efforts to strengthen coordination among all agencies involved in election duties, the army chief has been holding similar coordination meetings since January 22 across Dhaka, Chattogram, Cumilla, Rangpur, Bogura, Barishal, Jashore, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Ghatail and Savar areas with senior military officials, divisional and district administrations and law enforcement agencies. Read More: Army Chief urges officers to perform election duties impartially

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman inaugurated the "Sinha Memorial Plaque" on Thursday at Shamlapur at Baharchhara Union in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The memorial was constructed under the overall supervision of the BGB Cox’s Bazar Region in honour of Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. During the inauguration ceremony, the army chief expressed deep condolences to Major Sinha’s bereaved family. He also reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring the swift trial of those responsible for his (Sinha’s) killing, in accordance with the law, it said. On the midnight of July 31 July 2020, Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, PSC was fatally shot by police at a checkpoint in Shamlapur, Baharchhara Union of Teknaf. Born on July 26, 1984 in a distinguished Muslim family in Faridganj Upazila, Chandpur district, Major Sinha was the son of Bir Muktijoddha Mohammad Ershad Khan, a former Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the release said. Maj Sinha joined the Bangladesh Army on July 21, 2003 as part of the 51st BMA Long Course and was commissioned on December 22, 2004. Throughout his military career, he was known for his skill, intelligence, innovation, and bravery. An expert bayonet fighter, he also served in the Special Security Force (SSF) and participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast in 2013, the release added. Major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhajul Alam,10 Infantry Division and Area Commander, Cox’s Bazar Area; Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General, Border Guard Bangladesh; Major Sinha’s mother and sister; along with senior officials from the Army, BGB, Police, and RAB, as well as local dignitaries, were present at the time.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman does not tell anything without apprehending it clearly, said Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain. Responding to a question from reporters about the army’s chief speech on several issues in Dhaka, including heated-speech among political parties, the adviser delivered the statement while briefing the media on the Advisory Council Committee on Labour and Business Situation Review of Industries at Beximco Industrial Park. On Tuesday, the army chief said, "At the end of the day, we must prioritise the country and the nation instead of engaging in conflicts. If you resort to mudslinging among yourselves, the independence and sovereignty of the country and the nation will be at stake. I am issuing a warning—you cannot say later that I did not caution you. “ Waker delivered the statement at an event at Raowa Club in the capital, marking the National Army Martyrs Day. Want to return to cantonment making Bangladesh stable: Army Chief  When attention was drawn about the army chief’s remark, the adviser said, “The army chief is a very high-profile person for me. He's leading a battalion and didn't say anything without understanding. You know the rest of the interpretation. As far as I know him, he is a very straight forward man ... .I have a lot of respect for him. I can't explain what he said or didn't say." Asked if the army chief could address the chief adviser the way he did, Sakhawat replied to the reporters, "You ask him.