Rapid Action Battalion

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)
Agency overview
Formed	2004
Headquarters	Kurmitola, Dhaka
Agency executive	Hasan Mahmud Khondkar, Additional IGP
Parent agency	Bangladesh Police

Rapid Action Battalion or RAB is an anti-crime and anti-terrorism elite force of Bangladesh Police constituted amending the Armed Police Battalion Ordinance, 1979. Under the command of Inspector General of Police (IGP) it consists of members of Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Ansar. It was formed on 26 March 2004 and started its operations from 14 April 2004. Additional Inspector General of Police Anwarul Iqbal is the founder Director General of this police force.

Since its inception, the RAB has seized a total of 3,149 illegal arms and more than 36,000 rounds of ammunition. It has also had many notable arrests. Although the RAB has been successful in apprehending several high-profile terrorists, including the infamous Bangla Bhai, Amnesty International has criticised the RAB's lack of accountability as it has been responsible for many deaths which have been attributed to crossfire.^[1][2] There have also been many reports of torture.^{[3] [4]}

[edit] Weapons used by RAB

RAB members.

RAB members are better equipped and trained compared to regular units of the Police. The following weapons are generally issued to them -

• SIG Sauer P226 9mm Semi Automatic Pistol
• Browning M1911 .45ACP Semi Automatic Pistol
• AK-47 7.62mm Assault Rifle
• Type 56 7.62mm Assault Rifle
• Heckler & Koch MP5K 9mm Sub Machine Gun
• Uzi 9mm Sub Machine Gun
• Type 85 7.62mm Sniper Rfle
• Remington 870 12 gauge Shotgun
• Type 97-1 12 gauge Shotgun
• RPG-7 40/85mm Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers

Also when employed for crowd control purpose RAB members use traditional weapons like batons and tasers.

[edit] Notable arrests

Here is a table containing details of major arrests by the RAB according to their official website: ^[5]

[edit] References

1. ^ "'Top Bangladeshi militant' held". BBC News. 6 March 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4777526.stm. 
2. ^ "Amnesty International Bangladesh Report 2005". Amnesty International. 2005. http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/bgd-summary-eng. 
3. ^ "Torture marks found on victim's body, protests go on". The Daily Star. 2007-05-21. http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/05/21/d7052101107.htm. 
4. ^ "Rapid Action Battalion wont be used for political purpose". Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation. 2005-02-18. http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=1984. 
5. ^ www.rab.gov.bd

[edit] External links

• Official website of Rapid Action Battalion
• "Bangladesh's feared elite police," BBC Report
• "Blast kills 'Bangladesh militant', BBC Report
• "Top Bangladesh militant captured," BBC Report
• "Bangladesh 'militant leader' held," BBC report
• "'Top Bangladeshi militant' held," BBC Report
• "Getting Away With Murder: Politicisation of Crime in Bangladesh," SAAG
• Fighting lawlessness with lawlessness (or) the rise & rise of the Rapid Action Battalion (Highly Critical)
• LAWLESS LAW-ENFORCEMENT & THE PARODY OF JUDICIARY IN BANGLADESH (Highly Critical)
• Perverted policing & meaningless magistrates: True stories from Bangladesh (Highly Critical)