The interim government has decided to rename the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the Special Intervention Force (SIF), marking a significant step in a broader reform programme aimed at improving transparency, accountability and human rights compliance within the elite law-enforcement agency.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury following a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Ministry of Home Affairs. He said a gazette notification formalising the decision would be issued shortly, adding that the move had already received approval from the Chief Adviser.
According to the home affairs adviser, the transformation will go far beyond a simple change of name. “Taking into account the force’s past activities and international sanctions, initiatives have been taken to make it more transparent and people-friendly,” he said. “The SIF will be structured along the lines of how elite forces operate in countries such as France, Italy and England.”
As part of the reform process, the force will receive a new uniform, along with redesigned logos and identity cards, signalling a visible break from its previous identity. Officials said the changes are intended to reflect a modernised force committed to lawful and accountable operations.
Sources familiar with the discussions said that during meetings of the law-enforcement advisory council, instructions were given to closely study the operational models of elite European units to ensure that future activities do not give rise to allegations of human rights violations. Recommendations from the Police Reform Commission have also been taken into account in shaping the new structure of the SIF.
RAB has long faced criticism from the United Nations and various international human rights organisations over alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other rights abuses. Several senior figures associated with the force were previously subjected to international sanctions, adding pressure on successive governments to initiate reforms.
RAB was originally formed on 26 March 2004, drawing personnel from the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Coast Guard. It was established during the BNP-led four-party alliance government amid rising militancy and a deteriorating law and order situation.
The current decision comes under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, more than two decades after the force’s creation.
Following the meeting, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury also expressed optimism about the country’s political climate ahead of the next general election. He said police morale was “higher than at any time before” and voiced confidence that, once the election schedule is announced, the situation would remain calm and festive, leading to an acceptable and credible poll.
The rebranding of RAB as the Special Intervention Force is being presented by the interim government as a cornerstone of wider police and security sector reforms, with a stated focus on restoring public trust and aligning Bangladesh’s elite law-enforcement practices with international standards.
Present RAB/SIF Battalions
| Battalion | Location / Headquarters | General Area Covered |
|---|---|---|
| RAB-HQ | Kurmitola, Dhaka | National command centre |
| RAB-1 | Uttara, Dhaka | North & central Dhaka sectors |
| RAB-2 | Agargaon, Dhaka | Central Dhaka area |
| RAB-3 | Tikatuli, Dhaka | Southern/central Dhaka |
| RAB-4 | Mirpur, Dhaka | North-west Dhaka and nearby zones |
| RAB-5 | Rajshahi | Rajshahi Division |
| RAB-6 | Khulna | Khulna Division |
| RAB-7 | Chattogram | Chattogram Division |
| RAB-8 | Barishal | Barishal Division |
| RAB-9 | Sylhet | Sylhet Division |
| RAB-10 | Jatrabari, Dhaka | South-east Dhaka area |
| RAB-11 | Narayanganj | Narayanganj District |
| RAB-12 | Sirajganj / Tangail region | North-central Bangladesh |
| RAB-13 | Rangpur | Rangpur Division |
| RAB-14 | Mymensingh | Mymensingh Division |
| RAB-15 | Cox’s Bazar / Chittagong Hill Tracts region | Southeastern districts including Cox’s Bazar & adjacent hill districts |
Khaled Ahmed is a seasoned former intelligence analyst and military expert from the Netherlands, bringing over 15 years of specialised experience in operational intelligence, threat analysis, and strategic defence planning. Having served in high-level, classified roles within Dutch military intelligence, he possesses rare expertise in European security architecture, NATO doctrine, and asymmetric warfare. Khaled’s deep operational insight and international perspective enable him to deliver precision-driven intelligence analysis and forward-looking strategic forecasts. A trusted contributor to high-level risk assessments and security briefings, he offers readers clarity on complex defence and security challenges. Khaled leads the National Security and Fact Analysis sections at BDMilitary. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, and is fluent in Dutch, French, and Arabic — combining linguistic dexterity with operational expertise to analyse security issues across cultures and regions.
