Claim: A viral post on social media claimed that the Bangladesh military has been abolished and replaced with a new ‘Border Security Force’, which exclusively handles border security.
Fact: Bangladesh did not abolish its army or replace it with a new ‘Border Security Force’. In fact, the military has worked closely with the interim government following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On 24 November, a post on Facebook, originally shared in Urdu, made the following claims:
- Bangladesh abolished its military.
- A new institution called the ‘Border Security Force’ which exclusively handles border security has been established in the country.
- The government has taken control of all military-owned businesses and assets.
- Military ranks above Brigadier have been abolished.
- Serving and retired military personnel are barred from being appointed to government institutions and from joining political parties,
- Military officers are restricted from living or working abroad after retirement.
This article fact-checks the claim that the Bangladesh army has been abolished and replaced with a new ‘Border Security Force’.
What was happening in Pakistan and Bangladesh?
The viral claim about Bangladesh abolishing its military and introducing sweeping reforms emerged in Pakistan around 24 November 2024, during a period of political unrest. On this date, tensions were especially high as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led protests against the government. The government imposed strict security measures, including container barricades in Islamabad and a controversial “shoot-on-sight” order. Violent clashes emerged between civilians and law enforcement agencies. Initially, the PTI claimed that hundreds of lives had been lost in the clashes but later retracted its claim, stating that at least 12 people had been killed. On the other hand, the government denied the claim, stating that the death toll of PTI workers did not reach “double figures”. The government called upon the PTI to present proof on the number of deaths. The Guardian reported that official sources claimed at least 17 civilian fatalities.
These actions sparked widespread debate and criticism of the military’s role in governance and public life. It was amid this political atmosphere that the claim went viral.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh itself went through a period of heightened political tension and change earlier in August 2024. Student protests against the military quota in government jobs ultimately grew into a movement that overthrew the regime led by then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On 5 August 2024, the former Prime Minister eventually stepped down and fled into exile.
The period following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation was marked by significant violence and led to widespread human rights violations including arbitrary arrests, torture and extra-judicial killings. The United Nations human rights office estimated that at least 1,400 people, of which approximately 180 were children, were killed.
Consequently, Hasina’s government was replaced by an interim government under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus on 8 August 2024.
Fact or Fiction?
Prime Minister Younus announced plans to reform key sectors of the government, including the police, judiciary and constitution. No major reforms have been taken to limit the power of the military. Instead, in September 2024, the interim government granted the military additional powers for two months to improve the law and order situation. In November, the government announced an extension of two months to the army’s judicial powers as operations against crime continued.
Thus, instead of limiting the military’s powers, the interim government has been working closely with the military and has granted additional powers to it, leading to concerns of increased military influence.
Furthermore, Bangladesh has had a border control force known as the ‘Border Guard Bangladesh’ (BGB) since 1972. The BGB, previously known as the Bangladesh Rifles, is a paramilitary force exclusively responsible for defending Bangladesh’s borders.
The ‘Border Security Force’ (BSF), mentioned in the viral claim, is in fact an existing police force in India, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is responsible for guarding the country’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Soch Fact Check, therefore, concludes that the viral claim is unsubstantiated and the military remains a powerful institution in Bangladesh.
Virality
Soch Fact Check conducted a Facebook search using the search term “بنگلہ دیش نےفوج کو ختم کردیا”
The same false claims with a high number of interactions on Facebook can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
While fewer posts with the claim circulated on X (Formerly Twitter), some of them gained many likes and interactions here, here, here, and here.
Additionally, the message went viral on WhatsApp as it featured the “forwarded many times” tag.
Conclusion:
Bangladesh did not abolish its army following the student-led protests and regime change in August 2024. The army maintains its power and continues to play a major role in establishing law and order in Bangladesh in the Muhammad Yunus-led regime. The viral claims are unsubstantiated and originated at a time when political tension and anti-military sentiments were high in Pakistan due to clashes between PTI supporters and law enforcement agencies.
Background image in cover photo: AFP
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