Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) In Sylhet

INTRODUCTION:

Sector is the pioneer Sector of Border Guard Bangladesh. This Sector was raised on 01 Jul 1958 at Khajanchibari in Sylhet town and later shifted to its present location at Akhalia on 06 June 1985. This Sector has got 607 km of border belt and out of which 535 km land boundary and 72 km river boundary. 4 X Border Guard Battalion presently guarding the border under  this Sector. Lt Col Sarwar Khan was the pioneers Sector Commander of Sylhet Sector and after liberation this Sector was commanded by  Lt Col Shamsuddin Ahmed as first Sector Commander. 

Better known or labeled as the ‘ever-vigilant sentinels of the border’- Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is the paramilitary force in the country. The glorious history of the organization is replete with rich traditions and successful military expeditions. This paramilitary setup emerged as the most effective border security for the country on 3 March 1972 after the liberation of Bangladesh. The HQ of BGB is located at Pilkhana, Dhaka. Presently the organization has 12 sectors to perform its tasks. These sectors will be organized under 4 Regions with 3 more new sectors in near future. 
Apart from its primary task of protecting the borders, preventing smuggling, human and drug trafficking the members of Bangladesh Rifles have taken part in numerous military operations displaying their courage, discipline and patriotism. This force was vested with additional task of checking smuggling in 1958. Its members took up arms in an organized manner against erstwhile Pakistan Army during the liberation war of 1971. The organization is proud of its contribution to the attainment of independence and sovereignty of the Bangladeshi nation. Its members got many gallantry awards. Of them, Lance Naik Nur Mohammad Sheikh and Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf were the highest gallantry award of Bir Sreshtha, 8 got Bir Uttam, 40 Bir Bikram and 91 Bir Pratik.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is a well-disciplined, valiant and legendary paramilitary force of glories. Better known as the "ever vigilant sentinels of the border" BGB is entrusted with the protection of Bangladesh border, anti-smuggling & anti-narcotics operations, prevention of women & children trafficking, prevention of all sorts of trans-border crimes and internal security duties. Since its inception over 216 years, duties and responsibilities of the force have been increased manifold, as well as operational strategies put on multi-dimensions. The significant changes of the force marked from the history are as follows:

            a.         Ramgarh Local Battalion.    This force started its journey on 29th June 1795 with the name of 'Ramgarh Local Battalion' previously named 'Frontier Protection Force' formed by East India Company in 1794. There were 448 soldiers, two irregular cavalries and only four cannons as the resort of its commencement.

            b.         Frontier Guards.         In 1861, 'Ramgarh Local Battalion' was reorganized and renamed as 'Frontier Guards' with 1454 members altogether. The force headquarter was in Chittagong and under command outposts were at Kamrup, Goalpara, Laxmipur, Sylhet and Tripura. In 1879 'Special Reserve Company' of the force was raised for the first time at Peelkhana.

            c.         Bengal Military Police.         In 1891, this force was renamed as 'Bengal Military Police'. A European Subedar commanded the battalion which had four companies located at different parts of Indian subcontinent namely Dhaka, Dhumka, Vagolpur and Gangtok .

            d.         Eastern Frontier Rifle.          In 1920, its strength was increased by comprising 16 Platoons and renamed as 'Eastern Frontier Rifles'. Then its primary tasks were to protect the borders and assist in internal security duties.

            e.         East Pakistan Rifles.  After partition of the Indian subcontinent, the

organization was regrouped and renamed as 'East Pakistan Rifles'. A group of metropolitan armed police of Calcutta and some 1000 ex-soldiers of the then East-Pakistan were merged into this force. Some 3000 Bengali members were also employed in the force. Officers from the army were employed for efficient leadership in the force. In 1958 it was assigned with the tasks of border protection and anti-smuggling duties. The strength of the force increased to 13,454 on 25 March 1971.

 

f.          Active Participation in Liberation War.  This force valiantly played an illustrious role in the historic 'Liberation War' of Bangladesh. On 25 March 1971, Pakistani occupied force attacked erstwhile EPR headquarters at Peelkhana. Then 'Independence Message' from 'Bangabandhu' was transmitted to remote areas of the country through wireless system of its headquarters. Consequently soldiers and people of the country  were inspired to confront the Pak-forces. At the beginning of liberation war, Bengali members of the force created strong opposition  at Zinjira on the bank of Buriganga on tactical ground . Later on, almost 12000 soldiers of this force accompanied by other forces and civil freedom fighters fought 9 month long armed-battle under the commands of 11 sectors. Freedom fighters of this force carried out numerous operations like face to face, guerilla fight and suicidal attacks to destroy the dens of enemies. In the 'liberation war' a total of 817 soldiers of this force sacrificed their lives for the nation. Among them 'Shaheed Lance Naek Nur Mohammad Sheikh' and 'Shaheed Lance Naek Munshi Abdur Rouf' bestowed the highest gallantry award 'Bir Sreshtha' for their vast heroism. Among others, 8 martyrs awarded 'Bir Uttam', 32 martyrs awarded 'Bir Bikram' and 78 martyrs awarded 'Bir Protik'.     

h.         Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).   On 25-26 February 2009, a number of 74 people including 57 meritorious army officers were brutally killed in an atrocious carnage occurred in the force's headquarters at Peelkhana. Following that grievous mishap, reorganization of the force inevitably came onward. After passing the 'Border Guard Bangladesh Act, 2010' in the Parliament on 08 December 2010, it has come into effect from 20 December of the same year. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,  formally raised the flag and opened the monogram of the renamed force on 23 January 2010 to launch as 'Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)'.

 
Conclusion: 
  
Reorganization activities of the force according to new law are being implemented. At present, the force is effectively discharging the assigned tasks and duties through its 12 Sectors, 47 Battalions and many other Border outposts. BGB as the "ever vigilant sentinels of the border" is sincerely protecting the border, preventing smuggling, human trafficking, trans-border crimes and internal security duties.

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