Top military leadership reshuffled in Bangladesh days after Tarique Rahman takes office

DHAKA (Dunya News) - Just days after Tarique Rahman assumed the office of prime minister, sweeping changes have been made at the top levels of the Bangladesh Army.

An official notification issued by Army Headquarters stated that Brigadier General Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, who had been serving as Defence Adviser in India, has been promoted to the rank of Major General.

He has been appointed General Officer Commanding of the 55 Infantry Division and directed to return home immediately to assume his new responsibilities.

In other key appointments, Lieutenant General Mohammad Moinur Rahman has been named Chief of General Staff.

Major General Kazi Rashid Chowdhury has been appointed Director General of Forces Intelligence, while Major General Mohammad Jahangir Alam has been posted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador.

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Media reports further said that Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman has been appointed Principal Staff Officer at the Armed Forces Division.

His predecessor, Lieutenant General S.M. Qamarul Hassan, has now been assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The reshuffle follows the February 12 parliamentary elections in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a clear majority by winning 209 seats.

The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 77 seats.

Tarique Rahman, head of the BNP, has taken office as prime minister, while the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami has been appointed as leader of the opposition.