The Special Response Battalion (abbreviated as SRB) is a specialized law enforcement agency under the Bangladesh Police which was established to succeed and replace the dissolved Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The Special Response Battalion (SRB) Bill, 2026 was passed by voice vote on 10 September 2026, during the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, which officially dissolved RAB. The draft of the law had previously received in-principle and final approval during a cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat on 17 August 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to the passed legislation, the new force will operate as a specialized unit under the Bangladesh Police.
Background The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was formed on 26 March 2004, during the then BNP-Jamaat coalition government, as a special police unit aimed at combating militancy and terrorism. It officially commenced operations on 14 April of the same year. Since its establishment, RAB had been operating under the Armed Police Battalion (Amendment) Act of 2003. This "elite force," which consisted of members from the Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ansar and Bangladesh Administrative Service was involved in various anti-crime operations for over two decades. However, it also faced widespread domestic and international criticism over allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations.
Following the shift in power during the July Uprising in 2024, pressure intensified to review RAB's activities. Various groups, including the commission investigating enforced disappearances and a United Nations fact-finding mission, recommended the dissolution of RAB. On 3 February 2026, former adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury of the interim government announced that the name and uniform of RAB will be changed, the agency will be renamed subsequently as the Special Intervention Force (SIF), with the approval of the chief adviser, which was not issued at that period. Consequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs published a draft of the SRB Act on its website on 4 August 2026 to gather public opinion.
History Draft On 17 August 2026, a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat gave final approval to the draft of the "Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026," subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. Subsequently, the bill was introduced in the Jatiya Sangsad and referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs for scrutiny. The standing committee recommended presenting the finalized bill to parliament in an amended form.
Act Passed On 10 September 2026, during the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed proposed passing the bill, which Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmed declared passed by voice vote. At the same time, the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Bill-2026 was also introduced separately in parliament. With the enactment of the new law, the existing legal framework concerning RAB was dissolved; however, prior departmental proceedings rules will remain in effect with necessary adaptations until new regulations are drafted.
The passed legislation includes provisions for transferring RAB's manpower, orders, powers, authority, privileges, funds, properties, accounts, records, and other related assets to the SRB. Thus, while the new law replaces RAB's legal framework, the operational assets, personnel, and institutional responsibilities of the unit remain fundamentally unchanged under the newly formed entity.
Formation According to the act, the headquarters of the SRB will be located in Dhaka, though units may be established elsewhere in the country with government approval if necessary. The law permits the formation of battalions, companies, platoons, and sections according to the requirements of the force.
The force will be led by a Director General (DG), who will be appointed from among police officers holding the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police (Additional IGP) or above. Subject to the general oversight of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General will exercise administrative, financial, and operational authority.
The SRB will consist of police officers, members of disciplined forces, and designated armed personnel or employees appointed through direct recruitment or deputation. The duration of deputation or attachment will typically be set for a minimum of two years. The unit will have its own distinctive flag, emblem, and uniform.
Reactions The initiative to rename and restructure the force has elicited mixed reactions from experts. Some argue that merely changing the name will not restore public confidence; instead, it is essential to eliminate political interference and establish a genuine culture of accountability. Former Director General of RAB, AKM Shahidur Rahman, previously remarked that the decision to dissolve the force rests solely within the government's jurisdiction.
Location SRB has 15 battalions spread all over the country. Among them, 5 are located in Dhaka. The units are located as follows: +Battalion NameBattalion HQJurisdictionSRB-1 Uttara, DhakaDhakshinkhan, Uttar Khan, Turag, Uttara, Dhaka Airport, Gulshan, Banani, Bhatara, Rupganj, Khilkhet, GazipurSRB-2 Agargaon, DhakaTejgaon, Mohammadpur, Adabar, Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, New Market, HazaribaghSRB-3 Tikatuli, DhakaMotijheel, Mugda, Shahjahanpur, Paltan, Khilgaon, Sabujbagh, Rampura, Hatirjheel, Shahbag, RamnaSRB-4 Mirpur, DhakaMirpur, Shah Ali, Pallabi, Darus Salam, Kafrul, Bhashantek, Cantonment, Savar, Ashulia, Dhamrai, ManikganjSRB-5 Kashiadanga, RajshahiRajshahi, Chapai Nawabganj, Natore, Naogaon, JoypurhatSRB-6 Labanchara, KhulnaKhulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore, Narail, Magura, Jhenaidah, GopalganjSRB-7 Patenga, ChattogramChattogram, Feni, Khagrachhari, RangamatiSRB-8 Rupatali, BarishalBarisal Division, Shariatpur, MadaripurSRB-9 South Surma, SylhetSylhet Division, BrahmanbariaSRB-10 Keraniganj, DhakaDemra, Jatrabari, Shyampur, Kadamtali, Sutrapur, Wari, Kotwali, Lalbagh, Kamrangirchar, Chowkbazar, Bangsal, Gendaria, Dohar, Nawabganj, Keraniganj, Sirajdikhan, Louhajang, Sreenagar, Rajbari, FaridpurSRB-11 Siddhirganj, NarayanganjLakshmipur, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chandpur, Narayanganj, Tongibari, Gazaria, Munshiganj SadarSRB-12 Salanga, SirajganjSirajganj, Pabna, Bogura, Kushtia, Meherpur, ChuadangaSRB-13 Kotwali, RangpurRangpur DivisionSRB-14 MymensinghMymensingh, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Raomari, Char RajibpurSRB-15 Cox's BazarCox's Bazar, Bandarban
Organization SRB has the following administrative wings under the SRB HQ:
Administration & Finance Superwing General Administration Wing Personnel Sub-branch Headquarters Branch Transport Branch Medical Sub-Branch Development Sub-branch Record Sub-Branch General Sub-Branch Central Workshop Branch Health Unit Finance Wing Procurement Branch Accounts and Budget Branch Personnel & Discipline Branch Logistics & Supply Branch
Operations Wing Central Operations Branch Planning, Co-ordination & Monitoring Cell Dog Squad Bomb Disposal Unit
Intelligence Wing Information Gathering Cell Undercover Surveillance Unit Counter Intelligence Cell Communication Interception Cell
Legal & Media Wing Legal Cell Media Cell Human Rights Cell Internal Investigation Cell
Communication & MIS Wing Internal Communication Network Branch Networking System Section Video Conferencing System Section Digital VHF Communication System Section Video Backpack System Section Database & Information Services Branch Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) E-Services Section Criminal Database Section Prison Inmate Database Section Report 2 RAB Section
Investigation & Forensic Wing Investigation Branch Forensic Branch
Air Wing Aerial Surveillance & Imaging Unit Search & Rescue Unit Aerial Patrol Unit Counter Terrorism Operations Unit Transport Operations Unit
Training & Orientation Wing Primary Training Course Section Anti-Terrorism Course Section Basic Intelligence Course Section Basic Investigation Course Section Primary Driving Course Section Basic Computer Course Section
SRB Forces Training School RAB Orientation Course Intelligence Course RAB Advance Course MT Driving Course Motorcycle Riding Course Kote and Magazine Management Course
Research & Development Cell
The Admin & Finance Superwing is overseen directly by the Additional Director General (Administration) holding the rank of DIGP. Each Wing is directed by a Deputy Director General of the rank of ADIGP / Col. or equivalent holding the designation of Wing Director (WD). Each Branch is headed by a Director of the rank of SP / Lt. Col. or equivalent holding the designation of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Each Cell / Sub-branch / Section / Unit is headed by a Deputy Director of the rank of Addl SP / Maj. or equivalent holding the designation of Special Officer-in-Charge (SOIC).
Notabene: Only the R & D Cell and the Cells under the Legal & Media Wing are headed by Directors of the rank of SP / Lt. Col. or equivalent holding the designation of Cell CEO.
Rank Structure SRB is composed of personnel from Police, Intelligence, Administrative Service and the Military & Paramilitary.
Superior officers Rank group General/Flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Special Response Battalion Commandant General (Director General) Deputy Commandant General (Additional Director General) Senior Commandant/Deputy Director General (Wing Director) Commandant - Jr. Grade/Director (Jt Wing Director/Bn CO/CEO - Branch) Deputy Commandant/Deputy Director (SOIC - Cell/Bn 2IC/Coy Cdr/Sqn Cdr/Bn Law Offr) Assistant Commandant/Assistant Director (Executive Magistrate/Bn Adjt/Bn QM/Bn Ops Offr/Coy 2IC/Bn Intel Offr/Bn Media Offr/Bn Medical Offr) Addl IGP/Maj Gen/Air Mshl/RAdm DIGP/Brig Gen/Air Cdre/Cdre Addl DIGP/Col/Gp Capt/Capt SP/Lt Col/Wg Cdr/Cdr Addl SP/Maj/Sqn Ldr/Lt Cdr AC/ASP/Capt/Flt Lt/Lt Grade 1 2 3 4 5 7
Subordinate officers Rank group First-Class Gazetted Officers Subordinate Personnel Enlisted Special Response Battalion Deputy Assistant Director Associate Inspector/Armed Sub-Inspector Armed Assistant Sub-Inspector Head Constable Leading Constable Armed Constable PI/Hon Lt JCO (Sub/WO/CPO)/SIP ASIP/Sgt Maj/PO Havildar/Sgt PN/Nk/Cpl/LCpl PC/Sepoy Grade 8 & 9 9 & 10 11 12 13 & 14 16 & 17
List of Director General Name Image Took office Left office Tenure 1Md. Ahsan Habib Palash15 September 2026Incumbent
Powers and jurisdiction Following the Code of Criminal Procedure, the SRB is empowered to conduct criminal investigations, searches, arrests, and seizures, as outlined in the passed legislation. Furthermore, the unit will maintain its own lock-up, evidence room (malkhana), and interrogation centers.
Accountability and grievance redressal In response to the human rights violation allegations raised against its predecessor RAB, the new law includes a provision for establishing a grievance redressal committee composed of various stakeholders. This committee is tasked with resolving public complaints as well as internal disputes among force members. According to government sources, one of the primary objectives behind forming the new force is to make law enforcement activities more transparent, accountable, and people-oriented.
See also Rapid Action Battalion Bangladesh Police Ministry of Home Affairs (Bangladesh)
References