A three-member delegation from Bangladesh’s National Security Intelligence (NSI) departed for the UK on Tuesday for discussions with British intelligence officials. This visit coincided with a significant meeting led by Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman with formation commanders, including General Officers Commanding and brigade leaders.
Sources within the Bangladeshi security establishment indicate that the Army’s senior leadership is preparing for a long-term operation aimed at supplying logistics and support to the Arakan Army, which is currently engaged against the Myanmar military junta in several strategic townships, including Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung in Rakhine State.
Intelligence sources revealed that a specific Sector Commander from the Bangladesh Border Guards, operating within the Army’s 10th Division, has been appointed as the primary coordinator for supplying the Arakan Army. Initial shipments are reportedly already crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in “sealed containers” that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel are not permitted to inspect.
NSI Chief Major General Abu Mohammad Sarwar Farid is leading the delegation, which also includes Director Muhammad Azharul Islam and Deputy Director Asif Iqbal. They traveled on Emirates flight EK-582 to London, following an invitation from the UK government, according to documents reviewed by Northeast News. This meeting is viewed as crucial for strengthening ties between Bangladesh and British external intelligence agencies.
Notably, one officer under Major General Farid has previous training with MI6, the UK’s foreign intelligence service. The team’s visit to the UK is set to last until May 1, following on the heels of a recent meeting between Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Director Major General Jahangir Alam and CIA officers in the US.
As tensions rise, top Bangladeshi government sources indicate that the meeting led by General Zaman at Army Headquarters is especially critical. Foreign Ministry Adviser Tauhid Hossain acknowledged that the interim authority, led by Mohammad Yunus, is considering a “humanitarian corridor” for the return of approximately 1.4 million Rohingya refugees. The conference of Army commanders is expected to extend until April 30.
Attendees of the closed-door meeting included Lieutenant General Kamrul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and other high-ranking officials from various Army branches. Just hours before, Brigadier General Mohammad Imran Yosuf Chowdhury from the Pakistan Embassy in Dhaka met with Lt Gen Hassan, indicating ongoing regional military diplomacy.
The two-day conference occurs amid a US-backed initiative aimed at providing logistical support to the Arakan Army against the Myanmar military government. Reports also suggest that the Bangladesh Army has identified a location near Silkhali, approximately 30 kilometers north of Teknaf, to establish a base for supplying provisions to the Arakan Army.
Recent visits by three senior US State Department officials to Dhaka have deepened discussions with Bangladeshi leaders, including National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and Army generals. Meanwhile, around 15 additional American officials remain in Bangladesh, engaged in discussions across sensitive border areas from the Chittagong Hill Tracts to Teknaf, further highlighting the geopolitical complexities in the region.
This evolving situation reflects the intricate interplay of national security, regional alliances, and humanitarian concerns as Bangladesh navigates its role amid ongoing conflict and diplomatic engagements.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/neighbours/bangladesh-nsi-chief-in-uk-to-meet-british-security-officials-as-army-top-brass-holds-key-conference-in-dhaka/24425/
Category : Neighbours,Army Chief,Bangladesh,British Intelligence,meeting,NSI
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Publish Date: 2025-04-29 21:16:00
