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Special Security Force

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For the Bahraini paramilitary law enforcement body, see Special Security Force Command.

Special Security Force
স্পেশাল সিকিউরিটি ফোর্স
Seal of the Special Security Force
Seal of the Special Security Force
Insignia of the Special Security Force
Insignia of the Special Security Force
Flag of the Special Security Force
AbbreviationSSF
MottoAllah is the best protector
Agency overview
Formed15 June, 1986
EmployeesClassified
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionBangladesh
Operational structure
HeadquartersSSF Headquarters, Dhaka
Agency executive
Website
ssf.gov.bd

The Special Security Force (Bengali: স্পেশাল সিকিউরিটি ফোর্স, romanized: Spēśāla siki'uriṭi phōrsa; abbreviated as SSF) is a Bangladeshi law enforcement agency that provides protection to the President, Prime Minister[1][2] and the Chief Adviser[3] as well as any person designated as a VVIP as per state protocol, including visiting foreign dignitaries.[4][5][6]

Responsibility

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Special Security Force personnel providing protection

The mission of the SSF is to provide physical security to the President of Bangladesh, Prime Minister of Bangladesh[7] and any person designated as a very very important person (VVIP) by the Government of Bangladesh.[8] The SSF takes necessary measures in coordination with the civil administration and security and intelligence organizations to prevent future threats to VVIPs and protect VVIPs from active threats. The SSF is also responsible for the security of VVIPs’ offices and residences.[9][10][11]

History

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The idea of establishing a security force in Bangladesh for physical protection of VIPs was first mooted by the then-President Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Accordingly, the Presidential Security Force (PSF) was formed on 15 June 1986. Later, with the introduction of a parliamentary system of government in Bangladesh, the force was renamed as the Special Security Force on 27 September 1991.[12]

The Presidential Security Force Ordinance (PSFO) established a security force which is to be under the direct command of the president and controlled and administered by a director, who may be invested with the powers of the Chief of Army Staff in respect of operations of the SSF. The force may seek the assistance of other services, such as law enforcement agencies, paramilitary forces and defence and intelligence agencies.[13]

Members of the SSF are referred to as Agents, and are officers from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Ansar and the Village Defence Party. Persons from other ranks also actively support the organization.[14]

The force was originally intended to provide physical security, both to the president wherever they may be and to VIPs, including any head of state or government or any person declared to be a VIP by the government. Following restoration of the parliamentary system, it was renamed the Special Security Force, whose primary function is to protect the prime minister, the president and other VIPs. Its work also includes "collecting and communicating intelligence affecting the physical security of the prime minister, the president or a VIP" (Section 8).[15]

The SSF is now accountable to the prime minister under the present parliamentary system, and is given the power to arrest without warrant any person when there is reason to believe that the presence or movement of such person at or near the place where the prime minister, the president or a VIP is living or staying or through which he is passing or about to pass is prejudicial to the physical security of the prime minister, the president or such VIP; and if such person forcibly resists the endeavor to arrest him or attempts to evade arrest, such officer may use all means necessary to effect the arrest and may, if necessary and after giving such warning as may be appropriate in the circumstances of the case or otherwise so, use force against him as to cause death" (Section 8).[15]

The wide and unfettered powers granted to the authorities above under the Special Security Force Ordinance (SSFO) enacted in 1986 are exacerbated by Section 11, which prevents prosecutions for such acts without government sanction.[15]

In 2021, a bill was passed in the Parliament known as The Special Security Force Bill, 2021. This made the SSF responsible for providing security to the family members of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[16] The following year, a Mujib Corner had been opened at the Special Security Force headquarters under the Director General Mujibur Rahman. On 29 August 2024, the interim government issued an ordinance revoking this law providing special security privileges to the family of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under which it was enacted in 2009 and 2021.[17]

Organization

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SSF personnel on duty

The SSF Headquarters is located at the Chief Advisor's office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The SSF maintains an independent training complex and accommodations of its own, co-located near the headquarters.[18]

Commanded by a director-general (equivalent in rank to a brigadier general or major general), the SSF is organized into five administrative bureaus:

  • Tactical Support Team
  • Operation and Protection Bureau
  • Intelligence Bureau
  • Logistics Bureau
  • Training Bureau

List of Director General of Special Security Force

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Sl # Name Term Start Term End Reference
1 Brigadier General Jahangir Kabir 1 July 1986 19 December 1987 [19]
2 Brigadier General Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury 19 December 1987 13 June 1988 [19]
3 Brigadier General Kazi Mahmud Hassan 13 June 1988 4 November 1991 [20][19]
4 Brigadier General Jamiluddin Ahsan 19 October 1991 26 July 1996 [21][19]
5 Major General Nurul Ahmed Rafiqul Hossain 1 July 1996 16 February 2001 [19]
6 Brigadier General SM Shabuddin 31 January 2001 11 November 2001 [19]
7 Major General Syed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi 31 October 2001 8 February 2007 [19]
8 Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam 8 February 2007 20 April 2008 [19]
9 Major General Ashraf Abdullah Yussuf 24 April 2008 8 January 2009 [19]
10 Major General Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin 19 January 2009 27 November 2011 [19]
11 Major General Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy 27 November 2011 10 October 2012 [19]
12 Major General Sheikh Mohammad Aman Hasan 10 October 2012 10 April 2016 [19]
13 Major General Shafiqur Rahman 10 April 2016 6 August 2018 [19]
14 Major General Mujibur Rahman 6 August 2018 25 February 2024 [22][23]
15 Major General A K M Nazmul Hasan 26 February 2024 20 August 2024 [19]
16 Major General Mahbubus Samad Chowdhury 20 August 2024 present [24]

References

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  1. ^ "Security should not create distance with people, PM urges SSF". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 23 July 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  2. ^ Dhaka, UNB (23 June 2024). "President addresses 38th anniversary of SSF". Daily Sun (Bangladesh).
  3. ^ "Special Security Force Act to be amended including provisions for chief adviser's security". Dhaka Tribune. 29 August 2024.
  4. ^ "President to SSF: Ensure security of VVIPs keeping their PR aspects in mind". Dhaka Tribune. 29 June 2019.
  5. ^ "PM Hasina: SSF will be modernized further". Dhaka Tribune. 15 June 2021.
  6. ^ Bhattacherjee, Kallol (4 August 2020). "Alleged murder of former bodyguard of Sheikh Hasina rocks Bangladesh". The Hindu.
  7. ^ "Will die if I am isolated from people". The Daily Star. 27 June 2024.
  8. ^ UNB, Dhaka (15 June 2021). "SSF to be modernised further: PM". The Daily Star.
  9. ^ "Kerry to visit RMG, hold formal meetings in 9-hr stay". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Bangladesh won't give in to any external pressure: PM Hasina says at SSF anniversary". 18 June 2023.
  11. ^ "SSF chief calls on President on its founding anniversary". The Financial Express. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  12. ^ "ভিআইপি সংস্কৃতি : সংবিধান ও আইন কী বলে". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024.
  13. ^ "PM Hasina asks SSF to be equipped with modern technologies". Prothom Alo. 16 June 2019.
  14. ^ "Stay updated with knowledge, training: PM to SSF members". The Business Standard. 15 June 2019.
  15. ^ a b c "বিশেষ নিরাপত্তা বাহিনী (Special Security Force) আইন, ২০২১ ( ২০২১ সনের ২৪ নং আইন)". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  16. ^ "SSF Bill passed in House". The Daily Star. 17 November 2021.
  17. ^ "Draft to repeal security act for Bangabandhu's family members approved". The Daily Star. 29 August 2024. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Hasina says she rejected US demand for gas in 2001". Gulf Times. 15 July 1017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Former DGS | SSF". ssf.gov.bd. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  20. ^ "JP leader Kazi Mahmud passes away". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 4 February 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Major General (Retd) Jamil Says Bangladesh War Criminals Should be Punished". ভিওএ (in Bengali). 19 June 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  22. ^ "Leadership". SSF. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Army Chief adorned with General rank badge – The Daily Industry". Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  24. ^ "General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Air Force Chief Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan confer the rank of Major General on Mahbubus Samad Chowdhury". The Financial Express. 23 August 2025.
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