The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, commonly known by its acronym DGFI, is the defense intelligence agency of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, tasked with collection, collation and evaluation of strategic and topographic information, primarily through human intelligence (HUMINT). As one of the principal members of the Bangladesh intelligence community, the DGFI reports to the Director-General under the executive authority of the head of government, the Prime Minister, and is primarily focused on providing intelligence for the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Bangladesh, and the Armed Forces of Bangladesh. Formed in 1972 as Directorate of Forces Intelligence under the command and jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense, it was organised as the principal intelligence arm of the nascent defense ministry of Bangladesh, limited to gathering critical information pertaining to the Armed Forces. The agency experienced dramatic reorganization and growth after the 1977 unrest and attempted coup, resulting from the hijacking of JAL flight 472 from Bombay, India to Dhaka International Airport, Tejgaon. In 1977, during reorganization of the DFI, it was transferred temporarily from the Minister of Defense to the Director of Martial Law Control Communication and Control Center under Wg. Cdr. M. Hamidullah Khan, TJ, SH, BP, then Provost Marshal(BAF), ZMLA, Dhaka and moved to Dhaka Cantonment. This objective was officiated under the control of the Chief Executive, the President. The directorate was elevated to Directorate General with major increase in budget and logistics, with its headquarters relocated to Dhaka Cantonment. The agency transformed into the principal intelligence arm of the defense forces specializing in gathering of foreign military intelligence. The agency officially adopted its current name in the same year. The DGFI officially consists primarily of military officers from the three service branches of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, while with an evolving role in the country's intelligence community, DGFI is also reported to have classified civilian employees. The stated priority mission of the DGFI is to provide timely, and accurate intelligence, and tactical support to Bangladesh Armed Forces commands. While the budget of DGFI is classified, it is reported to have the largest budget of the intelligence agencies. The DGFI has increasingly expanded its role throughout the years, including foreign intelligence gathering, counter-intelligence, covert operations, counter-proliferation, signals intelligence, cyber intelligence, and anti-terrorism. The agency's elite counter-terrorism unit formed in 2006, CTIB, is responsible for gathering intelligence, infiltrating and neutralizing terrorist organizations that may pose a threat to national security.

History

The DGFI was originally formed as Directorate of Forces Intelligence (DFI) in 1972. A major impetus for the creation of the agency was to monitor unforeseen threats from neighboring and foreign armed forces, especially India and Pakistan. DFI was headquartered in Segunbagicha, Bailey Road, Dhaka. Upon its creation, the role of DFI was strictly limited to sharing intelligence it gathered with the armed forces. The nascent DFI achieved very little and was overshadowed by National Security Intelligence (NSI), Bangladesh's principal intelligence agency. In May 2014, a New Monogram of the DGFI was unveiled at its Headquarter. The Lily placed on the center of the monogram, The National Flower Lily expressing the ethnicity of independent sovereign Bangladesh. The eight light emission around the lotus expressing Patriotism, Loyalty, Discipline, Concentration, Alertness, Prudence, and Efficiency of the activities of the agency. At the bottom "Bangladesh" there are two stars at each side and a total of four stars representing the four fundamental principles of the constitution of Bangladesh, Nationalism, Secularism, Socialism and Democracy.

Directorates

The DGFI is headed by a Director-General, who is traditionally a serving Major-General (Two-star general) in the Bangladesh Army. One Deputy Director General and Nine Directors report directly to the Director-General with each deputy heading their assigned wings respectively: Ensuring the Logistics and administrative activities as well as human resources management within DGFI. Forces Foreign Liaison Bureau (FFLB) Conducting liaison with foreign dignitaries, diplomats and Defence Attaché's.

Director-generals

Organizational structure

Twelve bureaus and nineteen detachments make up the primary structure of the organisation. The total manpower for DGFI is estimated to be around 12,000. The commanding post for DGFI is the DG followed by the DDG, director, senior additional director, additional director, deputy director and assistant director. Officers from armed forces posted here on deputation. Some civilian officer also works for DGFI recruited by Chief Administrative Officer, Ministry of Defence, Bangladesh.

Counter-terrorism Unit

Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau (CTIB), is an elite counter terrorism intelligence unit of DGFI. The Bureau was established in 2006 from the counterterrorism wing of DGFI which was established in 2002. The bureau was established along with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the counter terrorism cell of National Security Intelligence (NSI). CTIB is responsible for collecting and analysing intelligence on internal threats and counterattacks. CTIB agents are recruited from the Armed Forces and are responsible for gathering intelligence and executing special operations.

Functions and activities

The DGFI and its activities are highly classified and confidential to both the mass media and civilians. The functions and priorities of DGFI have changed throughout the years and vary with the country's political situations and foreign affairs. The primary function of the DGFI is the collection of foreign military intelligence, however during recent times, the agency has extended its role to economic, political and foreign intelligence. DGFI maintains active collaborations with very few other secret services around the world. Military Experts have termed the subcontinent as a beehive of intelligence and counterintelligence activity and labelled the NSI, DGFI, ISI, CIA, FSB, R&AW, MSS, Mossad, and MI6 as the big players in the Asian intelligence Scene.

Notable foreign operations

DGFI, like any other intelligence agency, collects information through human espionage. They have conducted numerous operations over the course of decades.

India

Nepal

United Kingdom

Mass surveillance

Bangladesh DGFI purchased a mass surveillance system from Israel and turned the system against civilians who spoke against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's regime. This mass surveillance system was used to track Hasina's opponents and detain them in the infamous torture centre Ayanaghar.

Extra-judicial killings

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used DGFI as a tool to silence dissidents who raised concerns about her autocratic rules. DGFI, during Hasina's rule, were accused of detaining tens of thousands of opposition activists, killing hundreds in extrajudicial encounters, and disappearing journalists and bloggers.

Corruption

DGFI has been involved in money laundering and corrupt practices through military-controlled Trust bank and VDP banks. In 2012, Defense Adviser Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique was involved in bribery of 70 lakh Bangladeshi currency carried by a government vehicle. The Border Guard Bangladesh confiscated the car with the money.

Allegations of human rights violation