(RAB), an elite team of Bangladesh Police, which was formed on March 26, 2004 and started its operations on April 14, 2004 with the motto ’Bangladesh Amar Ohonkar’ (Bangladesh is my pride) has stepped into 13th year today.It consists of the members of Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Ansar and VDP.
Despite having many controversies of crossfire, forced disappearance incidents, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests, the force has achieved many successes in combating terrorism and militancy including the arrests of Mufti Hannan and Bangla Bhai.
Many rights organizations including Human Rights Watch have been repeatedly urging the government to ban the force alleging its involvement in unauthorised activities.
Preventing human trafficking and containing robbers of Sundarban are other two achievements in the force’s history.
Extra judicial act which was executed by RAB first came into spotlight after they shot Limon Hossain, a college student, in Jhalakathi on March 23, 2011.
In January 2017, 25 former RAB officials were found guilty in the sensational Seven Murder Case of Narayanganj. Total of 26 ex-RAB officials were awarded with death penalty and another nine received jail for seven to 17 years.
RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Mufti Mahmud Khan said: "People will evaluate our success. If the people face issues they come to RAB first. They think if they can reach us they will find quick remedy.
"We do not find any base of the controversy on crossfire and encounter. We caught different type of criminals during different drives. None of them faced crossfire. Crossfire and encounter take place when it is a must."