Bangladesh border guards get a new chief

DHAKA - Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), the country’s border guard, have a new chief even as the incumbent is presiding over the special courts trying those accused of staging a mutiny in February last year in which 77 people were killed.

Maj. Gen. Rafiqul Islam, chief of Bangladesh Ansar, a para military force, has been made the director general of Bangladesh Rifles, the government announced Thursday.

He will replace Maj. Gen. Mainul Islam, according to a circular issued by the establishment ministry. No reason was given for the change.

Mainul Islam has been leading the paramilitary force since his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Shakil Ahmed was killed in the mutiny.

He has also been heading the process of reforms for the border guards.

The outgoing chief has been presiding over six courts across the country and some of them have delivered verdicts.