Bangladesh Needs an Intelligence

ISDP Voices 55 September 19, 2024 To simplify, in the Hasina era, the intelligence agencies were of the view that, apart from terrorism, there were no significant threats to national security. [...] Even NTMC, which is an intelligence agency, ensured nationwide internet blackouts for 11 days while people were protesting against Sheikh Hasina’s demise. These are clear indications that Hasina had diverted the allotted mandates of these agencies and used them for her regime’s survival. [...] In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), there is also a new insurgency led by KNF, killing members of the Bangladesh Army and looting banks. All of these are significant security challenges for Dhaka right now. [...] Therefore, the rise of terrorism, violence against minorities, Rohingya-based security concerns, and CHT-based insurgency can be utilized by foreign intelligence agencies for their geopolitical interests. This can make Dhaka’s position vulnerable, which must be addressed by reforming and revitalizing the country’s intelligence apparatus to meet its security challenges. Given Dhaka’s balanci [...] Key advisors like Brigadier Sakhawat Hossain have also urged for reform of law enforcement and related agencies. Significant changes have been made in the ranks of agencies like DGFI and NSI. [...] Primary intelligence agencies of Bangladesh must focus on the declining safe havens for faith-based terrorism, ensure ethnic and religious stability, and not turn into an instrument of political repression. [...] These agencies must be made to work on counterinsurgency and counter-subversion of any foreign actor sincerely. [...] A nonpolitical senior intelligence official should head NCIC, like the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the USA, and checks and balances must be ensured to discard sole control of the Premier over IC. [...] To avoid policy miscalculation, these agencies must provide clear intelligence, active coordination with themselves, and active oversight on domestic and external issues. Moreover, the Bangladeshi IC must be brought back into shape where they must focus on their respective mandates to achieve success and secure success in national security interests. Eventually, intelligence agencies will [...] He is a Graduate Student in Security Studies at the University of Dhaka.