In First Power Move, Bangladesh’s New PM Reshuffles Top Army Brass
Within days of taking over, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reshuffles the Army top brass, effecting key changes at headquarters, including the appointment of a new Chief of General Staff and fresh leadership at DGFI. Image courtesy: RNA
Within days of taking over as the next Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday (February 23, 2026) shook up the army top brass, reshuffling their roles, and recalling several senior officers.
Rahman’s first power move effected major changes in several key strategic positions within the Bangladesh Army, including the appointment of a new Chief of General Staff.
Rahman’s Bangladesh National Party (BNP) bagged a two-thirds majority in the nation’s parliament in the elections held on February 12, following which he took oath as prime minister on February 17, ending the 18-month rule of Muhammed Yunus as interim government’s head.
India sent its Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Rahman’s swearing in ceremony when the former handed over a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the new Bangladesh counterpart.
Within days of taking over, Rahman made the Bangladesh Army headquarters effect changes, appointing Lieutenant General M. Mainur Rahman, who was the General Officer Commanding of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC) as the new Chief of General Staff.
Lt Gen Rahman succeeded Lt Gen Mizanur Rahman Shamim, who took early retirement. The Bangladesh Army also appointed Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury, who was serving as Brigadier General at Army headquarters, as the new Director General of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).
Shamim replaced Major General Mohammed Jahangir Alam, who was deputed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an assignment as Ambassador.
Lt Gen S. M. Kamrul Hasan, who was Principal Staff Officer, was replaced by the just promoted Lt Gen Mir Mushfiqur Rahman. Hasan was attached to the Foreign Ministry to be appointed as an ambassador soon.
The BNP government also recalled Brigadier General Mohammed Hafizur Rahman, who was the defence adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission in India. He was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed as the General Officer Commanding of the 55th Infantry Division.
He would replace Major General J. M. Imdadul Islam, who was appointed as Commandant of the East Bengal Regimental Centre (EBRC).
