Bangladesh Army
Bangladesh’s road to digitalisation: 59 hill unions to get broadband internet
Fifty-nine unions under the country’s three hill districts—Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari—will get permanent broadband internet connectivity soon as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a proposal in principle in this regard on Wednesday.
As per the proposal, Bangladesh Computer Council will implement the project through Bangladesh Army awarding it a contract through direct procurement method (DPM).
“The BCC will award the contract to the Bangladesh Army to implement the project,” said Shamsul Arefin, additional secretary to the Cabinet Division, while briefing reporters on the decisions of the Cabinet body.
Read: Nearly half of global population still lack internet access: UN Chief
The project was awarded to the Bangladesh Army considering the security risk and other relevant impediments in installing the optical fiber in remote areas of the hill tracks, he added.
The scheme will be implemented under the project titled, ‘Broadband Connectivity Setup at the telecommunication-deprived areas’ of the BCC under the Information and Communication Technology Division.
However, the figure of the contract was not disclosed at this stage of approval. But it might be revealed when the project will gain be placed for the final approval of the Cabinet Committee of Public Purchase.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase approved 11 proposals of different departments under different ministries involving Tk 2,579.30 crore of which Tk 890.62 crore will be spent from the national exchequer while the remaining funds will come as loans by different financing agencies.
The committee approved a proposal of the Public Security Division of Home Ministry to procure a “Vehicle Mounted Mobile Interceptor and related services” at a cost of Tk 56.56 crore from Toru Group Limited, Switzerland, whose local agent is Smart SCM Solution, Dhaka.
The supplier was selected through a limited tender method (LTM) from two bidders vying for the works, according to the proposal.
Two tender proposals of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) under Local Government Division also got approval of the Cabinet body.
Dhaka Wasa selected China Geo-Engineering Corporation, China for its project “Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply (DESWS)” under package -1 to install 25 km refined water transmission lines from Rampura to Kachukhet via Vatara, Airport Road, Uttara, Gulshan and Banani involving Tk 589.31 crore.
Read:Landslide warning: People urged to evacuate foothills in Rangamati
Dhaka Wasa’s proposal to extend the time and cost of the consultant for the same project also received the approval of the committee.
As per the approval, the Joint Venture of (1) Kunhwa-DDC-FCEA and (2) Vernacular Consultant Ltd. Bangladesh’s work tenure was extended up to 75 months from the existing 36 months with an increased cost of 2.71 crore against the original cost of Tk 19.85 crore.
A project of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to construct a coordinated water control structure on the Punorbhara River in Dinajpur got approval raising its cost by Tk 12 crore against the original cost of Tk 43.74 crore.
A total of six proposals of the Roads and Highways Department under Road Transport and Highways Division also got nod of the Cabinet body.
Of these, China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co Ltd won a Tk 743.28-crore contract for interchange construction and maintenance under the improvement of Alega-Hatikamrul- Rongpur into a 4-lanes project.
Abdul Momen Limited won a Tk 601.10 crore contract for civil and maintenance works of the same project.
A proposal seeking a cost rise of Tk 47.88 crore for package PW-1 of the project to upgrade Cumilla (Tomson Bridge) to Noakhali (Begumganj) local road into a 4-lane highway received approval of the committee. Its original cost was Tk 193.84 crore.
The package PW-3 of the same project received a Tk 39.21 crore cost extension approval while its original cost was Tk 194.98 crore.
Read:Proposals to set up 15 MW HFO-power plant in Hatiya, 40,000 SHS in hill districts get nod
The package DW-05 of the Improvement of Important Local Highways (Sylhet Zone) received approval for extending the cost by Tk 16.81 crore against its original cost of Tk 186.98 crore.
The Roads and Highways Department’s awarding of a Tk 301.35 crore contract to National Development Engineers Ltd., to implement package – PW-01 of the Project for installing excel-load contract central at the transportation source points at important locations of the highways received the Cabinet body approval.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment’s proposal to appoint 112 non-government organizations (NGOs) for providing 6-month long sub-formal education and 4-month skill development training to 100,000 children at a cost of Tk 160 crore received the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase.
Army engages terrorist group members in their hill hideout
A special operational team of Bangladesh Army under Roma Zone conducted a drive at Minjhiripara of Bandarban district and seized illegal arms, ammunition and other contraband items after a brief gunfight with a group of terrorists early Tuesday.
On the basis of secret information, the operational Army team conducted the drive at hilly terrorists’ hideout at Minjhiripara at around 3:35 am. They reached the targeted area overcoming various natural obstacles and inaccessible mountain paths.
Also read: Army operation in Bandarban: Weapons, huge amount of ammunition and equipment recovered
As the operational team approached the terrorist hideout, the army exchanged fire with the terrorist group and at one point the terrorists fled their hideout, said an Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) press release on Tuesday afternoon.
Later, they searched the terrorists' hideout and found 2 Russian made SMGs, three magazines, 12 rounds of SMG ammunition, three rounds of pistol ammunition, a knife, 100 grams each of cannabis and opium, 750 ml of local made liquor, one solar charger and one combat bag.
Also read: ‘Police, Ansar, BGB to be deployed at vacant CHT army camps’
It is to be noted that this terrorist group besides collecting donations from the locals through terrorist activities, it has been carrying out various anti-social campaigns through various social media against the country and the security forces.
Army chief in Zambia delivers lecture on military diplomacy
Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army General Aziz Ahmed, who is now in Zambia on an official trip, Wednesday gave lectures on military diplomacy to the trainee officers and also shared examples from Bangladesh Army.
Earlier, he visited various training facilities at Zambia Defense Services Command and Staff College and met with Brigadier General Stephen Simusandu, commandant of the college. They discussed ways to strengthen other military training, including staff colleges, in the two countries.
Zambia keen to take support of Bangladesh’s agricultural expertise
Zambia has expressed its interest to take support of agricultural expertise of Bangladesh alongside boosting relationship with Bangladesh and Bangladesh Army.
Zambian Acting Defence Minister Wezi Lukhele has shown the interest when Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army General Aziz Ahmed, who is now visiting Zambia on invitation of Zambian Army Commander, paid an official call on with him at Defence Ministry office there on Monday.
Read Also: 'Accredited labs to be launched to ensure global standard of agricultural goods'
During the meeting, the cooperation and relationship between the two countries were highlighted and Zambian acting Defence Minister Wezi Lukhele said that Zambia is interested in building an improved relationship with Bangladesh and Bangladesh Army, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) press release here on Tuesday .
Wezi Lukhele also expressed the interest of the Zambian government for working closely with Bangladesh.
Later General Aziz met Commander of Zambia Army Lieutenant General William Maipambe Sikazwe at Army Headquarters.
General Sikazwe expressed his gratitude to General Aziz for accepting his invitation and making a good bond between the two Armies.
General Aziz also expressed his interest to intensify training activities with the Zambian Army and also to conduct Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) Programs especially in the field of UN peacekeeping, anti-terrorism activities, disaster management, etc.
Read Also: President for feasibility study on joint exercise for BD, Zambia armies
General Aziz also brought forward the matter of issuing on-arrival visa to the military personnel of Bangladesh Armed Forces, and General Sikazwe assured that he will take efforts to get it approved from the concerned ministry at the earliest.
In the afternoon, General Aziz met with acting Commander, Zambia Air Force Major General Benedict T Kalinda at the Air Force Headquarters.
Major General Kalinda expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and support provided by Bangladesh Armed Forces.
He highlighted the prospects of training of the officers and men of Zambia Air Force in various training institutions of Bangladesh.
General Aziz welcomed the officers and men of Zambia Air Force to undergo training in various training institutions of Bangladesh Armed Forces and expected that the relationship between the two Armed Forces will flourish further in the days to come.
Read Also: Army Chief leaves for Zambia Friday
General Aziz is scheduled to meet with Commandant, Zambia National Service today (Tuesday).
He will also meet with other senior leaderships of Zambia Armed Forces and visit various training institutions of Zambia Armed Forces, and is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on 6 May .
Army Chief leaves for Zambia Friday
Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed will leave Dhaka for Zambia on an official visit on Friday at the invitation of Zambian Army Chief Lt Gen William Sikazwe .
General Aziz Ahmed will lead a 6-member delegation of Bangladesh Army during this visit, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) media release on Thursday.
He is scheduled to visit various military installations and training institutes during the official trip.
Besides, he will also visit a parade at the Arakan Barracks in Lusaka, Zambia and also place floral wreath at the mausoleum.
General Aziz Ahmed will also pay courtesy call on Zambian Defense Minister, its Army Chief, Air Force Chief and Commandant of Zambian National Service (ZNS).
During the meetings, he will discuss further strengthening the relations between the armies of the two countries and mutual cooperation.
General Aziz will also visit Zambia Defense Service Command and Staff College and deliver a lecture there. The army chief will return home on May 6.
Army operation in Bandarban: Weapons, huge amount of ammunition and equipment recovered
An operational team of Bangladesh Army conducted a raid at a terrorist den at Noapatang under Roangchhari upazila in Bandarban district and recovered huge quantities of arms, ammunition, local weapons and other materials early Wednesday.
The army was for a long time aware of information on the presence of an armed miscreant of Jana Sanghati Samity (JSS) Santu Larma group, named Apu Chakma, in Bandarban area. He is known to have carried out all kinds of extortion, arms exchanges and miscreant activities in Bandarban and adjoining areas.
Acting on a tip off, the Army members of Bandarban Army Zone conducted a successful operation in the area of Noapatang at around 5 am in the hideout of armed miscreants of JSS (Santu Larma), said an intelligence official here.
The armed group was trying to establish a reign of terror by taking hostages at gunpoint, extorting huge sums of money from the poor and carrying out miscreant activities, the intelligence official said requesting anonymity.
The Army team led by Bandarban Army Zone Commander reached the area by crossing various natural obstacles and inaccessible mountain paths. When the team reached near, the armed miscreants fled to the forest.
During this time there was a brief exchange of fire with the Army members. Later, their hideout was found and searched.
During the operation, one 9mm pistol loaded with magazines, AK-47 magazine, multiple ammunition bundlers, sharp domestic weapons, commando knife, large quantity of ammunition, communication device (walkie-talkie), solar charger, various types of electronics, 13 cell phones, JSS books, diaries, multiple olive-colored uniforms and shoes used by the JSS's armed affiliates, large quantities of indigenous drugs, large sums of money collected as tolls and receipts of JSS levies, records of extortion per neighborhood, miscreants' national identity cards and bags used in miscreant activities were recovered from the hideout. Later, the hideout was destroyed.
Nature of peacekeeping has changed: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the nature of peacekeeping has changed due to the use of advanced technology and sophisticated weapons, the misuse of social media and the ongoing global epidemic.
He made the remarks at the “Army Chiefs' Conclave” at multipurpose complex of Dhaka Cantonment.
Bangladesh Army organised the seminar with the participation of local and foreign military and civilian dignitaries.
Also read: Bangladesh tops in UN Peacekeeping Mission
Foreign Minister Momen said meaningful mutual cooperation, increased participation of women and development of health-related emergencies were essential to address the challenges posed by this unprecedented global epidemic in establishing world peace.
The main topic of discussion at the seminar was ‘Future Trend of Global Conflict: The Role of UN Peacekeepers’.
Indian army chief meets Bangladesh army chief
Visiting Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane made a courtesy call on Bangladesh Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed at the Army Headquarters of Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday.
During the meeting, they discussed various issues related to the existing good relations between the armed forces of the two countries and mutual cooperation in the future.
Issues related to the implementation of the Border Road Organization, training of Army pilots, exchange of defense experts and trainers, mutual defense cooperation got priority during the discussion, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) media release.
Also read: Indian Army chief arrives in Bangladesh
General Aziz expressed gratitude for India's commendable cooperation in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also hoped that India would be beside Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
Earlier, General Naravane paid tributes to the members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces who made supreme sacrifices during the Liberation War of 1971, by laying a wreath at the altar of Shikha Anirban in Dhaka Cantonment.
Also read: India offers Covid vaccine for Bangladesh army
Later, the Indian Army Chief was then given a "Guard of Honor" by a smart team of the Bangladesh Army at Senakunja. Then General Naravane planted a sapling at Senakunja.
Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane arrived in Dhaka on Thursday on a five-day visit.
The Indian Army chief is accompanied by his wife Veena Naravane and a two-member delegation.
AL Jazeera report ill-motivated: Army Chief
Bangladesh Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed on Tuesday said the recent report of AL Jazeera is completely ill-motivated.
India offers Covid vaccine for Bangladesh army
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Monday said India has offered Covid-19 vaccine shots for Bangladesh Army.