The Asiapost News

The Bangladesh Army is reinforcing its presence in Dhaka with a strategic deployment of troops, a move designed to proactively safeguard the capital against potential unrest. This decisive action signals the military’s firm commitment to upholding law and order amid escalating political tensions.

The Army has ordered the assembly of armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and troops from various brigades within Dhaka. This precautionary measure aims to deter possible disturbances by student groups and other politically motivated factions seeking to disrupt public order. The 9th Infantry Division, headquartered in Savar, is currently deploying personnel into Dhaka in a phased and controlled manner.

Comprising ten division-sized commands, the Bangladesh Army views this operation with the utmost seriousness. In addition to the 9th Infantry Division, the 19th Infantry Division, stationed at Ghatail, is also considered strategically vital to maintaining the integrity of the deployment.

This reinforcement of Dhaka’s security apparatus coincides with a period of heightened political activity. Claims by student leader Asif Mahmud Shajib Bhuiyan that Army Chief General Waqer-uz-Zaman reluctantly acquiesced to the appointment of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus as interim chief advisor, coupled with student leader Hasnat Abdullah’s threat to mobilize opposition against the Army following a clandestine meeting with General Zaman on March 11th, have contributed to the charged atmosphere.

The delayed disclosure of these meetings has cast a shadow of doubt over the motives of these student leaders, raising concerns about a potential attempt to undermine the authority of the Army. These revelations prompted an emergency virtual meeting among the chiefs of Bangladesh’s armed forces, underscoring their unified resolve in the face of these challenges.

The potential leadership of Mohammad Yunus is also fraught with uncertainty. His scheduled visit to China, set to begin on March 26th, is now at risk of cancellation due to the prevailing unrest. Furthermore, his reported efforts to secure a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BIMSTEC summit (April 3rd-4th), with India’s response remaining uncertain, highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.

Despite reports suggesting some differences of opinion among senior officers, General Zaman remains firmly in command, supported by the unwavering loyalty of the military’s high command. The Bangladesh Army is steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate and ensuring the safety and security of the nation and its citizens.