The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (Bengali: সামরিক গোয়েন্দা
মহাপরিদপ্তর), commonly known as DGFI is the military intelligence
section of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, tasked with collection, collation, and evaluation
of strategic and topographic information, primarily through human intelligence (HUMINT).
As one of the principal members of the Bangladeshi intelligence community, the DGFI reports to
the Director-General and is primarily focused on providing intelligence for the President,
the Cabinet of Bangladesh, and the Armed Forces of Bangladesh.Formed in 1972 as a section
of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, specializing in foreign military intelligence, the section
experienced dramatic growth following reorganization in 1977, under then President, and former
Chief of Army Staff, Ziaur Rahman. The agency officially adopted its current name in the
same year. The DGFI consists primarily of military officers from the three service branches
of the Bangladesh Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force). The stated priority mission
of the DGFI is to provide timely, and accurate intelligence, and tactical support to Bangladesh
Armed Forces commands. Many political analysts consider the DGFI as one of most influential
institutions in Bangladesh.The DGFI has increasingly expanded its role throughout the years, including
foreign intelligence gathering, counter-intelligence, covert operations, counter-proliferation,
cyber intelligence, and anti-terrorism. The agency's elite counter-terrorism unit formed
in 2006, CTIB, is responsible for gathering intelligence, and handling terrorist organizations
that may pose a threat to national security.
== Purpose == To collect, collate, evaluate and disseminate
all services strategical and topographical intelligence about law and order situations
and the Armed Forces. To ensure counterintelligence and security measures for Bangladesh Government
and Bangladesh Armed Forces. According to its fiscal 2014 budget, the DGFI's
top priorities are:
Counter terrorism Counterintelligence
Apprise Bangladesh Government with important overseas events.
Apprise Bangladesh Government about any activities that threaten National security.
Cyber Intelligence: Collecting Information and monitoring Cyber threats to National Security
of Bangladesh. Military intelligence: Provide Bangladesh
Armed Forces with foreign intelligence on other nations' Armed forces.
Joint Intelligence: Works with Special Branch of Bangladesh Police and Rapid Action Battalion
to gather detective and criminal intelligence. Air Intelligence: Gather intelligence on air
forces around the world. Naval Intelligence: Gather intelligence on
the advancements in other nations' navies and maritime intelligence.
Public Relations Monitoring: Monitoring Mainstream media and Social media.
Providing Security Clearance to Civil/Military personnels and individuals.
== History == The DFI was founded by then President Major
General Ziaur Rahman. Following 1977 Bangladesh Air Force mutiny and Japan Airlines Flight
472 incident, Aminul Islam Khan, the director of the agency was immediately dismissed from
the position, and Air Force wing commander Muhammad Hamidullah Khan, as ZMLA, was appointed
Director of the Martial Law Communication and Control Center (MLCC). DFI headquarters
was removed from Bailey Road and a new headquarters was established inside Dhaka Cantonment.
The reorganization was initiated the same year, with officer selection more scrutinized,
facilities improved, and the agency was rechristened as Directorate General of Forces Intelligence
(DGFI). The agency was moved from Ministry of Defence to direct control of the office
of the President, which led to a massive modification in the organizational structure of the agency,
and the agency was upgraded and transformed from a Defensive to an Offensive Intelligence
Unit. In 1977, DGFI was upgraded into a strong Counterintelligence division. According to
analysts, the structure of DGFI closely resembles that of the Inter-Services Intelligence. In
1978 the Defense Attaché assignment was inducted. In 1994, DGFI's organizational structure was
reformed, and since then DGFI has transformed into the primary Intelligence Agency in Bangladesh,
alongside National Security Intelligence. The recruitment of DGFI staff is undertaken
by the Armed Forces and the Director-General is appointed by the Prime Minister with recommendations
from the Chief of Armed Forces. The DGFI was structured to be manned by officers from the
three main military services, to specialise in the collection, analysis and assessment
of Military intelligence. Over the years, DGFI's role has transformed to both military
and non-military intelligence gathering and the agency is active in more than 45 countries
worldwide. in 2006, DGFI Headquarters was permanently
relocated to a 14-story tower near the Rajanigantha Area inside the Dhaka Cantonment. Current
DGFI Director General, Major General Mohammad Saiful Abedin who is the 25th Director General
of the Agency, will be taking over his assignment on 17 February 2017 succeeding Major General
Mohammad Akbar Hossain.[10] In May 2014 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Unveiled
the New Monogram of DGFI in an event in Its Headquarter. The Lotus placed on the center
of the monogram, The National Flower Lotus expressing the ethnicity of independent sovereign
Bangladesh. The eight light emission around the lotus expressing Patriotism, loyalty,
Discipline, Concentration, Alertness, Prudence, and Efficiency of the activities of the agency.At
the bottom “Bangladesh” Besides it there are two stars at each side and a total of
four stars representing the four fundamental principles of the constitution of Bangladesh,
Nationalism, Secularism, Socialism and Democracy. .
== Notable Director Generals ==
== Organizational structure ==
Eight bureau and nineteen detachments make up the primary structure of the organisation.
The total manpower for DGFI is estimated to be around 12,000. The Commanding post for
DGFI is the DG followed by the DDG, Director, Senior Additional Director, Additional Director,
Deputy Director and Assistant Director.
== Counter-terrorism Unit == Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau
(CTIB), is an elite counter terrorism intelligence unit of DGFI. The Bureau was established in
2006 from the counterterrorism wing of DGFI which was established in 2002. The bureau
was established along with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the counter terrorism
cell of National Security Intelligence (NSI). CTIB is responsible for collecting and analysing
intelligence on internal threats and counterattacks.The unit is directed by Brigadier General S M
Matiur Rahman. CTIB agents are recruited from the Armed Forces and are responsible for gathering
intelligence and executing special operations.
== Functions == The DGFI and its activities are highly classified
and confidential to both the mass media and civilians. The functions and priorities of
DGFI have changed throughout the years and vary with the country's political situations
and foreign affairs. The primary function of the DGFI is the collection of foreign military
intelligence, however during recent times, the agency has extended its role to economic,
political and foreign intelligence. DGFI maintains active collaborations with very few other
secret services around the world. It maintains a close relation and shares intelligence with
the India's RAW and New Zealand's GCSB.Military Experts have termed the subcontinent as a
beehive of intelligence and counterintelligence activity and labelled the DGFI, ISI, CIA,
FSB, R&AW, MSS, Mossad, and MI6 as the big players in the Asian intelligence Scene.
== Controversies ==
=== Blocking advertising on Prothom Alo and the
Daily Star === In 2015, DGFI was accused of blocking major
companies from advertising in two major newspapers in Bangladesh; the daily Prothom Alo and the
Daily Star, causing a loss of $2 million during the first month. Telenor, which owns a 55%
stake in Grameenphone admitted that top-level officers from DGFI forced them to stop advertising
in these two newspapers. However, other large corporations refused to comment on the issue.
"We were informed by our clients that due to unavoidable circumstances, we should stop
all advertisements in Prothom Alo and the Daily Star," Alam said. "We initially continued
to advertise in the magazine supplements, but that was also stopped."
== Notable cases of espionage ==
DGFI, like any other intelligence agency, collects information through human espionage.
They have conducted numerous operations over the course of decades.
=== Spying for DGFI === Diwan Chand Mallik - A Bangladeshi DGFI agent
concealed his nationality and joined RAW where he was known as Diwan Chand Mallik. He was
known to have obtained important intelligence which was damaging for India's national security.
He joined the agency in 1999 and used to live in East Delhi. A case of cheating and forgery
was filed against him at the Lodhi Colony police station on the basis of a complaint
by a senior RAW official. No trace of him was found afterwards.
== See also == 10-Truck Arms and Ammunition Haul in Chittagong
National Committee for Intelligence Coordination National Security Intelligence