National Security Intelligence

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Wikipedia

National Security Intelligence
জাতীয় নিরাপত্তা গোয়েন্দা
Insignia of NSI
Agency overview
Formed29 December 1972; 53 years ago (1972-12-29)[1]
TypeIntelligence agency
JurisdictionGovernment of Bangladesh
HeadquartersNSI Building, Segunbagicha, Dhaka, Bangladesh[2][3]
23°44′N 90°25′E / 23.74°N 90.41°E / 23.74; 90.41
MottoCommitted to national security.
EmployeesClassified
Annual budgetClassified
Agency executive
Parent departmentPrime Minister's Office

The National Security Intelligence, (Bengali: জাতীয় নিরাপত্তা গোয়েন্দা;) commonly known as the NSI, is a principal civilian intelligence agency of Bangladesh. It serves as the government’s lead organization for internal security, counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, and foreign intelligence operations, providing strategic analysis and intelligence support for national security decision-making and it is part of the Bangladesh Intelligence Community.[4]

History

In 1972 It is formed as an independent civilian intelligence agency. Today, its internal security functions are similar to the British security service MI5, while the foreign intelligence function does not quite resemble the MI6. The NSI also has territorial units in all 64 districts of Bangladesh, headed by a joint director/deputy director.[4] Being the only independent civilian intelligence agency in Bangladesh, the NSI's principal activities are gathering information about foreign governments, individuals, corporations, political parties, and different religious groups; counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, political intelligence, and giving protection to the VIPs and VVIPs are among its major functions.[4][5]

Structure

The National Security Intelligence features a hierarchy with several key positions aimed at maintaining efficient operations. At the top of this structure are the Director, Additional Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director, and Assistant Director, each playing a pivotal role in the agency's functioning.[5]

In addition to these leadership roles, the NSI employs specialized staff, including computer engineers, telephone engineers, and research officers, who provide technical and analytical support essential for the agency's intelligence operations.

The organization is further divided into various directorates that focus on specific areas of national security. These directorates include Internal, Dhaka Wing, Border, External, Security, Media Wing, Training, Political, Eco-Security, Administration, Research, Counter-Terrorism Cell, and Intelligence. Each of these divisions has a distinct mandate, contributing to the overarching goal of safeguarding national interests.[5]

Recruitment and training

The NSI is predominantly staffed by civilian personnel. Officers are recruited through the Prime Minister's Office, where Class-1 officers, who are directly recruited by the agency, commence their careers as Assistant Directors (Grade-9).[5]

Furthermore, officers may also be seconded from the Bangladesh Police, Armed Forces, and Bangladesh Ansar.[5]

Activities

The core functions of the NSI include:

  • Information Gathering: Collecting intelligence on foreign governments, organizations, individuals, and politicians; monitoring Bangladeshi government officials, political parties, extremist groups, separatists, religious bodies, unions, popular movements, NGOs, and any entities that may impact national security.
  • Information Analysis: Evaluating the collected information alongside intelligence from other Bangladeshi agencies to produce assessments for the Prime Minister and the National Committee for Intelligence Coordination.
  • Covert Operations: Executing or overseeing covert activities abroad, either through its personnel, military members, or other allied forces, upon receiving executive orders.

Operations

Yemen

  • On 11 February 2022, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Sufiul Anam, a Bangladeshi individual employed by the United Nations, was abducted from Yemen's Mudiah province by members of Al-Qaeda. A ransom of $3 million was demanded for his release. After 18 months in captivity, he was successfully rescued by the National Security Intelligence.[6]

India

  • In 2004, NSI operated a hit-to-kill mission against Indian narcotics smugglers, who were accused of being linked with Indian R&AW. The objective was to make it easier to get narcotics for the Bangladeshi youths. Targeted cities were Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Agartala, from where most of the operatives work to smuggle drugs, especially phensedyl, inside Bangladesh. About 17 places and 27 men were eliminated. 1 NSI officer was arrested at the end of the mission. However, the mission was accomplished.

Controversies

Human rights abuses

According to Human Rights Watch's May 2009 issue, during the 2006–08 Bangladeshi political crisis in Bangladesh, the NSI was actively involved in harassment and arbitrary arrest of labor activists.[5]

Killing of Aminul Islam

NSI's name had appeared several times during the trial of the mysterious murder of labor rights activist Aminul Islam in April 2012. The only convict, Aminul's friend Mostafijur Rahman, was found to be a mystery man, about whom no one knew much, who apparently had a cover job at an EPZ clinic and regularly met with security officers, is believed to be linked with NSI, though the court has not asked the agency for clarification and nor did the prosecution try to bring them, media has speculated on such controversies, though denied by the agency.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ জাতীয় নিরাপত্তা গোয়েন্দা অধিদপ্তরের বহুতল বিশিষ্ট প্রধান কার্যালয় ভবনের ভিত্তি প্রস্তর স্থাপন, ভাষণ, মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রী, শেখ হাসিনা (১৭ জানুয়ারি ২০১৫) (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 1 January 2017.
  2. ↑ প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা এনএসআই এর প্রধান কার্যালয়ের ভিত্তিপ্রস্তর স্থাপন অনুষ্ঠানে বক্তৃতা করেন... -The Prime Minister's Office-Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh – প্রধানমন্ত্রীর কার্যালয়-গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017.
  3. ↑ গোয়েন্দাদের সতর্ক থাকতে বললেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 18 January 2015. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 ৫৬ কোটি টাকায় এনএসআই-এর জন্য বহুতল ভবন. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alffram, Henrik (May 2009). "Ignoring Executions and Torture: Impunity for Bangladesh's Security Forces". Human Rights Watch Bangladesh. p. 20. Archived from the original on 19 September 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Abducted Bangladeshi UN official rescued from Al Qaeda in Yemen; thanks PM, govt". The Business Standard. 9 August 2023. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "Aminul murder: 'Who is so powerful that they killed Aminul — yet are still untouchable?'". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.