In 1972 It is formed as an independent civilianintelligence agency. Today, its internal security functions are similar to the British security serviceMI5, while the foreign intelligence function does not quite resemble theMI6. The NSI also has territorial units in all 64districts of Bangladesh, headed by a joint director/deputy director.[4] Being the only independent civilian intelligence agency in Bangladesh, the NSI's principal activities are gathering information about foreign governments, individuals, corporations, political parties, and different religious groups; counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, political intelligence, and giving protection to the VIPs and VVIPs are among its major functions.[4][5]
The National Security Intelligence features a hierarchy with several key positions aimed at maintaining efficient operations. At the top of this structure are the Director, Additional Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director, and Assistant Director, each playing a pivotal role in the agency's functioning.[5]
In addition to these leadership roles, the NSI employs specialized staff, including computer engineers, telephone engineers, and research officers, who provide technical and analytical support essential for the agency's intelligence operations.
The organization is further divided into various directorates that focus on specific areas of national security. These directorates include Internal, Dhaka Wing, Border, External, Security, Media Wing, Training, Political, Eco-Security, Administration, Research, Counter-Terrorism Cell, and Intelligence. Each of these divisions has a distinct mandate, contributing to the overarching goal of safeguarding national interests.[5]
The NSI is predominantly staffed by civilian personnel. Officers are recruited through thePrime Minister's Office, where Class-1 officers, who are directly recruited by the agency, commence their careers as Assistant Directors (Grade-9).[5]
Information Gathering: Collecting intelligence on foreign governments, organizations, individuals, and politicians; monitoring Bangladeshi government officials, political parties, extremist groups, separatists, religious bodies, unions, popular movements, NGOs, and any entities that may impact national security.
Information Analysis: Evaluating the collected information alongside intelligence from other Bangladeshi agencies to produce assessments for the Prime Minister and the National Committee for Intelligence Coordination.
Covert Operations: Executing or overseeing covert activities abroad, either through its personnel, military members, or other allied forces, upon receiving executive orders.
On 11 February 2022, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Sufiul Anam, a Bangladeshi individual employed by the United Nations, was abducted fromYemen's Mudiah province by members ofAl-Qaeda. A ransom of $3 million was demanded for his release. After 18 months in captivity, he was successfully rescued by the National Security Intelligence.[6]
India
In 2004, NSI operated a hit-to-kill mission against Indian narcotics smugglers, who were accused of being linked with Indian R&AW. The objective was to make it easier to get narcotics for the Bangladeshi youths. Targeted cities were Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Agartala, from where most of the operatives work to smuggle drugs, especially phensedyl, inside Bangladesh. About 17 places and 27 men were eliminated. 1 NSI officer was arrested at the end of the mission. However, the mission was accomplished.
NSI's name had appeared several times during the trial of the mysterious murder of labor rights activist Aminul Islam in April 2012. The only convict, Aminul's friend Mostafijur Rahman, was found to be a mystery man, about whom no one knew much, who apparently had a cover job at an EPZ clinic and regularly met with security officers, is believed to be linked with NSI, though the court has not asked the agency for clarification and nor did the prosecution try to bring them, media has speculated on such controversies, though denied by the agency.[7]
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