SWAT (Bangladesh) explained

Unit Name:Special Weapons And Tactics
Dates:28 February 2009 – present[1]
Country:
Agency:Dhaka Metropolitan Police
Type:Police tactical unit
Command Structure:Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime
Abbreviation:
  • SWAT
Sworn Type Label:Officers
Sworn:50
Programmes:-->

The Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) (Bengali: বিশেষ অস্ত্র ও কৌশল, সোয়াট) is a tier two police tactical unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) of the Bangladesh Police. They operate under the Special Action Group of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC).[2] The SWAT was formed to recover illegal arms and arrest hardcore terrorists and has a vital role in neutralizing any and all threats.[3] [4]

The SWAT has been regularly deployed outside of Dhaka to respond to terrorist incidents. The Bangladesh Police plans to establish counterterrorism and hostage rescue unit similar to Bangladesh SWAT in all of the Metropolitan Police.[5] A Crisis Response Team (CRT) has been established in Chittagong, Sylhet and in Rajshahi that were trained in the United States and in Jordan.[6]

History

The SWAT was established on 28 February 2009 as part of the Detective Branch of the DMP under the control of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner.[7] [8] The SWAT was to be ready for deployments on 1 March of that year in Dhaka and even outside if required. The SWAT was to be more powerful than the Bangladesh Police's eilte tactical unit, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and could be deployed to deal with terrorist groups and any criminals.

The SWAT completed a 45-day training program conducted by nine United States experts from the Army, FBI SWAT, and Police which was financed by the United States. The United States also provided equipment including M4 carbines, SR-25/AR-10 sniper rifles and Glock 17 pistols.[9] [10]

In 2016, the SWAT was placed under the command of the newly formed Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime.[11] In the same year, the SWAT had 50 members, with 20 new recruits to receive training in the United States with the SWAT aiming to expand to the unit to 100 members.

In 2017, the United States Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), Anti-terrorism Assistance Program (ATA) trained nine SWAT instructors over 7 weeks who conducted two refresher Crisis Response Team courses for 42 SWAT members.[12] [13]

Operations

The SWAT was deployed for security during the 2008 Bangladeshi general election, Pahela Baishakh and at Shaheed Minar during celebrations for International Mother Language Day.[14] [15] [16]

The SWAT has deployed to many terrorist or militant attacks, including outside of Dhaka in 2017 to Chapainawabganj for Operation "Eagle Hunt" and to Chapainawabganj for Operation "Hit Back".[17] [18] [19] [20] In July 2016, the SWAT responded to the Holey Artisan Bakery terrorist attack in Gulshan Thana with eight SWAT members seriously injured.[21]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: S W A T - Special Weapons And Tactics . Facebook . Bangladesh Police . 10 July 2019 . 19 October 2016.
  2. News: Jamil Khan . Mohammad . Special Police, RAB Units: Home considers risk allowance . 10 July 2019 . The Daily Star . 16 September 2017.
  3. News: US-trained SWAT more powerful than RAB underway. The New Nation. 22 February 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110614062420/http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/02/18/news0867.htm. 14 June 2011.
  4. News: Alam . Niloy . Al Hasnat. Mahadi. DMP: SWAT team will root out militancy and terrorism . 10 July 2019 . . 6 November 2016.
  5. Web site: Strategic Plan 2018-2020 . Bangladesh Police . 10 July 2019 . 1 January 2018.
  6. News: bn:সিলেটে যাত্রা শুরু করল পুলিশের ক্রাইসিস রেসপন্স টিম . https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/country-news/2018/08/29/674112 . 10 July 2019 . . 29 August 2018 . bn.
  7. News: The Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) to launch special drive from March 1. The News Today. 18 February 2008. 22 February 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20080307145414/http://www.newstoday-bd.com/frontpage.asp?newsdate=#10950. 7 March 2008.
  8. News: US experts train SWAT men to fight hardcore criminals . The Daily Star . 18 February 2008 . 22 February 2009.
  9. News: Hassan . Kamrul . bn:জঙ্গি-সন্ত্রাস দমনে র‌্যাব-পুলিশকে অস্ত্র ও প্রশিক্ষণ দিচ্ছে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র . https://web.archive.org/web/20190710102804/http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/news/39186. http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/news/39186 . . 16 August 2019 . bn . 20 December 2008. The United States is providing weapons and training to RAB and Police to counter militant-terrorism. 10 July 2019. dead.
  10. News: bn:বাংলার সুপারহিরো সোয়াট (SWAT) . https://www.bdmorning.com/2016/top-news/126592 . Bd Morning . 3 September 2016 . bn . https://web.archive.org/web/20190710102807/https://www.bdmorning.com/2016/top-news/126592. 10 July 2019. dead.
  11. News: DMP sets up counter terror unit . 10 July 2019 . The Daily Star . 17 February 2016.
  12. Web site: Ambassador Bernicat Attended the Graduation Ceremony of a Train-the-Trainer Course for Local SWAT Instructors . U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh . 10 July 2019 . 26 May 2017.
  13. Web site: bn:সোয়াট আরও শক্তিশালী হয়ে কাজ করবে . https://dmpnews.org/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95/ . Dhaka Metropolitan Police . 10 July 2019 . bn . 25 July 2017.
  14. News: DMP takes foolproof security measures for Pahela Baishakh celebrations . UNB . 12 April 2012 . https://archive.today/20120414151222/http://unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-73680 . 14 April 2012.
  15. News: DMP asks people to leave Ramna by 5pm . New Age . 13 April 2013 . https://archive.today/20130629234932/http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-04-13&nid=46037%23.Uc9ye33LfK5 . 29 June 2013.
  16. News: Nation set to observe Amar Ekushey . New Age . 20 February 2013 . https://archive.today/20130629233156/http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-02-20&nid=40683%23.Uc9uWn3LfK5 . 29 June 2013.
  17. Web site: bn:চাঁপাইনবাবগঞ্জে জঙ্গি আস্তানায় চলছে ‘অপারেশন ঈগল হান্ট’ . https://dmpnews.org/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%9E%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8/ . Dhaka Metropolitan Police . 10 July 2019 . 26 April 2017 . bn.
  18. News: SWAT resumes operation 'Eagle Hunt' . 10 July 2019 . International Television Channel (NTV) . 27 April 2017.
  19. News: 'Operation Hit Back' underway at Moulvibazar 'militant den' . 10 July 2019 . The Daily Star . 30 March 2017.
  20. Web site: bn:সোয়াটের ‘অপারেশন হিটব্যাক’: পালাতে না পেরে জঙ্গিদের আত্মহনন . https://dmpnews.org/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE/ . Dhaka Metropolitan Police . 10 July 2019 . bn . 30 May 2017.
  21. News: Bloody end to Dhaka hostage crisis . 10 July 2019 . The Daily Star . 2 July 2016.