| Special Security Force স্পেশাল সিকিউরিটি ফোর্স | |
|---|---|
.svg) Seal of the Special Security Force | |
 Insignia of the Special Security Force | |
.svg) Flag of the Special Security Force | |
| Abbreviation | SSF |
| Motto | "আল্লাহই সর্বোত্তম রক্ষাকর্তা " "Allah is the Best Protector" |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 15 June 1986; 38 years ago (1986-06-15) |
| Employees | 300+ active personnel |
| Annual budget | Classified |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Bangladesh (and abroad) |
| Governing body | Government of Bangladesh |
| Constituting instrument | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | SSF Headquarters,Dhaka |
| Agency executive |
|
| Facilities | |
| Prime Minister's Vehicles | |
| Website | |
| ssf.gov.bd | |
TheSpecial Security Force (Bengali:স্পেশাল সিকিউরিটি ফোর্স,romanized: Spēśāla siki'uriṭi phōrsa; abbreviated asSSF) is a Bangladeshilaw enforcement agency that provides protection to thePresident,Prime Minister[1][2] and theChief Adviser[3] as well as any person designated as a VVIP as per state protocol, including visiting foreign dignitaries.[4][5][6]
The mission of the SSF is to provide physical security to thePresident of Bangladesh,Prime Minister of Bangladesh[7] and any person designated as avery very important person (VVIP) by theGovernment of Bangladesh.[8] The SSF takes necessary measures in coordination with the civil administration and security and intelligence organizations to prevent future threats to VVIPs and protect VVIPs from active threats. The SSF is also responsible for the security of VVIPs’ offices and residences.[9][10][11]
The idea of establishing a security force inBangladesh for physical protection of VIPs was first mooted by the then-PresidentHussain Muhammad Ershad. Accordingly, the Presidential Security Force (PSF) was formed on 15 June 1986. Later, with the introduction of aparliamentary system of government in Bangladesh, the force was renamed as the Special Security Force on 27 September 1991.[12]
The Presidential Security Force Ordinance (PSFO) established a security force which is to be under the direct command of the president and controlled and administered by a director, who may be invested with the powers of theChief of Army Staff in respect of operations of the SSF. The force may seek the assistance of other services, such aslaw enforcement agencies,paramilitary forces and defence andintelligence agencies.[13]
Members of the SSF are referred to as Agents, and are officers from theBangladesh Army,Navy,Air Force,Police,Ansar and theVillage Defence Party. Persons from other ranks also actively support the organization.[14]
The force was originally intended to provide physical security, both to the president wherever they may be and to VIPs, including anyhead of state orgovernment or any person declared to be a VIP by the government. Following restoration of the parliamentary system, it was renamed the Special Security Force, whose primary function is to protect the prime minister, the president and other VIPs. Its work also includes "collecting and communicating intelligence affecting the physical security of the prime minister, the president or a VIP" (Section 8).[15]
The SSF is now accountable to the prime minister under the present parliamentary system, and is given the power toarrest without warrant any person when there is reason to believe that the presence or movement of such person at or near the place where the prime minister, the president or a VIP is living or staying or through which he is passing or about to pass is prejudicial to the physical security of the prime minister, the president or such VIP; and if such person forcibly resists the endeavor to arrest him or attempts to evade arrest, such officer may use all means necessary to effect the arrest and may, if necessary and after giving such warning as may be appropriate in the circumstances of the case or otherwise so, use force against him as to cause death" (Section 8).[15]
The wide and unfettered powers granted to the authorities above under the Special Security Force Ordinance (SSFO) enacted in 1986 are exacerbated by Section 11, which prevents prosecutions for such acts without government sanction.[15]
In 2021, a bill was passed in theParliament known as The Special Security Force Bill, 2021. This made the SSF responsible for providing security to thefamily members ofBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[16] The following year, a Mujib Corner had been opened at the Special Security Force headquarters under the Director GeneralMujibur Rahman. On 29 August 2024, the interim government issued an ordinance revoking this law providing special security privileges to the family of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under which it was enacted in 2009 and 2021.[17]
The SSF Headquarters is located at the Chief Advisor's office inTejgaon,Dhaka. The SSF maintains an independent training complex and accommodations of its own, co-located near the headquarters.[18]
Commanded by adirector-general (equivalent in rank to abrigadier general ormajor general), the SSF is organized into five administrative bureaus:
| Sl # | Name | Term Start | Term End | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigadier General Jahangir Kabir | 1 July 1986 | 19 December 1987 | [19] |
| 2 | Brigadier GeneralHasan Mashhud Chowdhury | 19 December 1987 | 13 June 1988 | [19] |
| 3 | Brigadier GeneralKazi Mahmud Hassan | 13 June 1988 | 4 November 1991 | [20][19] |
| 4 | Brigadier GeneralJamilud Din Ahsan | 19 October 1991 | 26 July 1996 | [21][19] |
| 5 | Major General Nurul Ahmed Rafiqul Hossain | 1 July 1996 | 16 February 2001 | [19] |
| 6 | Brigadier General Sheikh Mohammad Shabuddin | 31 January 2001 | 11 November 2001 | [19] |
| 7 | Major GeneralSyed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi | 31 October 2001 | 8 February 2007 | [19] |
| 8 | Major GeneralSheikh Monirul Islam | 8 February 2007 | 20 April 2008 | [19] |
| 9 | Major General Ashraf Abdullah Yussuf | 24 April 2008 | 8 January 2009 | [19] |
| 10 | Major GeneralMia Mohammad Zainul Abedin | 19 January 2009 | 27 November 2011 | [19] |
| 11 | Major GeneralChowdhury Hasan Sarwardy | 27 November 2011 | 10 October 2012 | [19] |
| 12 | Major GeneralAman Hasan | 10 October 2012 | 10 April 2016 | [19] |
| 13 | Major GeneralShafiqur Rahman | 10 April 2016 | 6 August 2018 | [22] |
| 14 | Major GeneralMujibur Rahman | 6 August 2018 | 25 February 2024 | [23][24] |
| 15 | Major GeneralNazmul Hasan | 26 February 2024 | 20 August 2024 | [19] |
| 16 | Major General Mahbubus Samad Chowdhury | 20 August 2024 | present | [25] |
