Directorate General of Forces Intelligence
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1977 (Official Formation) by President Ziaur Rahman |
| Jurisdiction | President of Bangladesh |
| Headquarters | Dhaka Cantonment, Bangladesh |
| Motto | Watch and Listen for the nation, To protect national security |
| Employees | 12,000 (Estimated) |
| Annual budget | Classified |
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| Child agency | |
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The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (Bengali: ডিরেক্টরেট জেনারেল অফ ফোর্সেস ইন্টেলিজেন্স , abbreviated DGFI Bengali: ডিজিএফআই), is the foreign military intelligence section of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. DGFI is operationally responsible for providing national security and intelligence information to the Bangladesh government and armed forces. Although DGFI was formed as a military intelligence unit, over time it has established itself as the principal intelligence unit in Bangladesh alongside the National Security Intelligence (NSI). The DGFI's primary role is to collect, collate and evaluate strategic and topographic intelligence relating to foreign matters for the Bangladesh government and armed forces.
Although all defence information is kept classified by the agency and armed forces, there are reports that the DGFI had the largest budget in the Bangladeshi intelligence community. The DGFI has been involved in most paramilitary operations as well as counter-terrorism and cyberwarfare.
DGFI is regarded as one of the most dreaded intelligence agencies in the world due to its aggressive techniques. The agency has received criticism from Human Rights Watch for its brutal interrogation techniques, targeted killings, Assassinations and involvement with various militant outfits.
DGFI is headquartered in Dhaka Cantonment, and former commandant of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Major General Md Saiful Abedin, is the current director general of the agency.
After independence in 1971, National Security Intelligence (NSI) was created as the sole Intelligence agency in Bangladesh. However, external threat from foreign military led to the creation of the Directorate of Forces Intelligence (DFI) in 1972. The role of DFI was only limited to sharing intelligence with the Armed Forces. Under Major General Ziaur Rahman's presidency, on 24 August 1976, DFI was improved and rechristened as Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), which led to a massive modification in the organizational structure of the agency, and the agency was transformed from a Defensive to an Offensive Intelligence Unit. In 1978, DGFI headquarters were relocated to Dhaka Cantonment from Bailey Road, Dhaka. According to analysts, the structure of DGFI closely resembles that of Inter-Services Intelligence. Captain K.M Aminul Islam was appointed as the first Director General of DGFI. In 1994, DGFI's organizational structure was reformed, and since then DGFI has transformed into the primary Intelligence Agency in Bangladesh, alongside National Security Intelligence. The recruitment of DGFI staff is undertaken by the Armed Forces and the Director General is appointed by the President with recommendations from the Chief of Army Staff. The DGFI was structured to be manned by officers from the three main military services, to specialise in the collection, analysis and assessment of Military intelligence. Over the years, DGFI's role has transformed to both military and non-military intelligence gathering and the agency is active in more than 40 countries worldwide.
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