Bangladesh forms new police unit to better combat militancy, terrorism

Bangladesh has formed a new police unit to bolster its efforts in combating militancy and terrorism.

The newly formed "Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime" unit under Dhaka Metropolitan Police started its journey from Tuesday with newly appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Monirul Islam as its chief.

Side by side combating militancy and terrorism, Islam had earlier said the police unit has also been assigned to deal with cyber crimes.

He said the 600-men unit will also combat terror financing and mobile banking related crimes.

The unit would also have an additional DIG, four deputy commissioners, 10 additional deputy commissioners, and 20 assistant commissioners in future when more members from Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), bomb disposal unit, and the dog squad join it.

The unit has been formed at a time when the incidents of extremism and terrorism have witnessed a sharp increase in Bangladesh.