Sagar Biswas :
Ansar Striking Force [ASF], a specially trained and well-armed force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, started operation in the capital city on Sunday being assigned by the government to provide security to diplomats, foreign missions and other international organizations.
The ASF has been formed with 300 skilled personnel of the main force under the command of Deputy Director General [operations] of Ansar and VDP following severe pressure by the foreign embassies to provide additional security in the wake of July 1 Gulshan terror attack, officials said.
This is the first time; the government has formed such a striking force taking members from Ansar. The ASF members have got special training in sophisticated arms and unarmed combat. In the case of necessity, the number of ASF would be increased in the future.
Besides, the government has planned to open a separate office under different organogram for the ASF. At present, the members of ASF will also be patrolling the train station, bus and launch terminals during Eid-ul Azha vacation, apart from the diplomatic zone, officials said.
Deputy Commander of ASF Syed Iftehar Ali said that they have started work with a view to providing safety and security to public life and property. “Our main task is to ensure safety to people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali yesterday briefed the foreign diplomats staying in Bangladesh over the latest security steps following possible terror threat from Islamist militant outfits.
About 60 diplomats, mostly ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, attended the meeting at state guest house Padma. At the same time, representatives of different international missions were also present there.
Foreign Minister told the diplomats that the ASF members will provide security for the foreign missions and officials with required fees. In response, the diplomats accepted it in principle, meeting sources said. The diplomats also expressed their views to the Foreign Minister about the security measures.
“The ongoing drives against violent extremist elements by law enforcement agencies will continue. The Bangladesh government is determined to root out militancy from the country,” Mahmood Ali said elaborating the government steps to curb terrorism.
It is to be noted that, the US authorities earlier had demanded for allowing Bangladeshi private security personnel to carry firearms for protecting its officials. The private security personnel employed in most diplomatic missions and other establishments are unarmed in line with the local laws. Even that, the US government pushed Dhaka to give clearance to some private security personnel for carrying firearms.
But the Bangladesh government categorically ruled out their proposal for carrying firearms by the private security personnel. The government, however, gave permission for using bulletproof vehicles. Besides, the diplomats were also allowed to use white number plates for their cars, instead of diplomatic number plates.
Not only that, the Japanese embassy also had requested the government to strengthening security to 16 officials of JICA, 68 Japanese private enterprises and another five non government cooperative organizations.
Responding to its request, the Home Ministry instantly ordered the Police Headquarters to strengthen security to Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA], its projects across the country, Students of Japanese schools, the officials of Japan embassy and the ambassador’s residence.
Nine Italians, seven Japanese, an Indian and a US citizen were among the 20 people hacked to death when a group of Islamic State [Isil] terrorists burst into Holey Artisan Bakery in the city’s diplomatic zone on July 1.
In the backdrop of Gulshan attack, most of the diplomatic missions advised its citizens to exercise heightened vigilance and caution while a number of local, regional and international events were cancelled for uncertain period considering the security threat.
Ansar Striking Force [ASF], a specially trained and well-armed force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, started operation in the capital city on Sunday being assigned by the government to provide security to diplomats, foreign missions and other international organizations.
The ASF has been formed with 300 skilled personnel of the main force under the command of Deputy Director General [operations] of Ansar and VDP following severe pressure by the foreign embassies to provide additional security in the wake of July 1 Gulshan terror attack, officials said.
This is the first time; the government has formed such a striking force taking members from Ansar. The ASF members have got special training in sophisticated arms and unarmed combat. In the case of necessity, the number of ASF would be increased in the future.
Besides, the government has planned to open a separate office under different organogram for the ASF. At present, the members of ASF will also be patrolling the train station, bus and launch terminals during Eid-ul Azha vacation, apart from the diplomatic zone, officials said.
Deputy Commander of ASF Syed Iftehar Ali said that they have started work with a view to providing safety and security to public life and property. “Our main task is to ensure safety to people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali yesterday briefed the foreign diplomats staying in Bangladesh over the latest security steps following possible terror threat from Islamist militant outfits.
About 60 diplomats, mostly ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, attended the meeting at state guest house Padma. At the same time, representatives of different international missions were also present there.
Foreign Minister told the diplomats that the ASF members will provide security for the foreign missions and officials with required fees. In response, the diplomats accepted it in principle, meeting sources said. The diplomats also expressed their views to the Foreign Minister about the security measures.
“The ongoing drives against violent extremist elements by law enforcement agencies will continue. The Bangladesh government is determined to root out militancy from the country,” Mahmood Ali said elaborating the government steps to curb terrorism.
It is to be noted that, the US authorities earlier had demanded for allowing Bangladeshi private security personnel to carry firearms for protecting its officials. The private security personnel employed in most diplomatic missions and other establishments are unarmed in line with the local laws. Even that, the US government pushed Dhaka to give clearance to some private security personnel for carrying firearms.
But the Bangladesh government categorically ruled out their proposal for carrying firearms by the private security personnel. The government, however, gave permission for using bulletproof vehicles. Besides, the diplomats were also allowed to use white number plates for their cars, instead of diplomatic number plates.
Not only that, the Japanese embassy also had requested the government to strengthening security to 16 officials of JICA, 68 Japanese private enterprises and another five non government cooperative organizations.
Responding to its request, the Home Ministry instantly ordered the Police Headquarters to strengthen security to Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA], its projects across the country, Students of Japanese schools, the officials of Japan embassy and the ambassador’s residence.
Nine Italians, seven Japanese, an Indian and a US citizen were among the 20 people hacked to death when a group of Islamic State [Isil] terrorists burst into Holey Artisan Bakery in the city’s diplomatic zone on July 1.
In the backdrop of Gulshan attack, most of the diplomatic missions advised its citizens to exercise heightened vigilance and caution while a number of local, regional and international events were cancelled for uncertain period considering the security threat.
