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Bangladesh Ansar

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Full article adapted from Wikipedia revision 1377204742 by Wikipedia contributors. Text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting has been adapted; article text and references are retained. Snapshot imported 2026-10-09.
Paramilitary force of Bangladesh
For other uses, see Ansar.

Law enforcement agency
<tbody> </tbody>
Bangladesh Ansar
বাংলাদেশ আনসার
Insignia of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party
Flag of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party
Flag of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party
Common nameAnsar Bahini
Mottoশান্তি শৃঙ্খলা উন্নয়ন নিরাপত্তায় সর্বত্র আমরা
We are everywhere in peace, order, development and security
Agency overview
Formed12 February 1948
Preceding agency
  • East Pakistan Ansars (1948–1972)
Employees6.4 million[1]
Annual budget৳2185 crore (US$180 million)[2] 2026-2027
Jurisdictional structure
National agencyBangladesh
Operations jurisdictionBangladesh
Governing bodyGovernment of Bangladesh
General nature
Specialist jurisdictions
  • Paramilitary law enforcement, counter insurgency, riot control
  • Protection of international or domestic VIPs, protection of significant state assets
Operational structure
HeadquartersKhilgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Minister responsible
Agency executives
Parent agencyMinistry of Home Affairs
Functions
6
  • Anti Smuggling Operations
  • Enforcement Operations
  • Border Protection
  • Village Protection
  • Disaster Management
  • Airport Security
Facilities
Battalions42
Notables
Significant Battles
Anniversary
  • 12 February
Award
Website
ansarvdp.gov.bd
Service uniform: Rich Olive
Combat uniform:
Ansar Battalion: Olive, Dark Blue, Earth yellow, Black
Ansar: Olive, Black
VDP: Maroon, Black

The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ আনসার ও গ্রাম প্রতিরক্ষা দল, romanized: Bānlādeś Ānsār ō Grām Pratirakkhā Dal) is an auxiliary paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs with administrative and operational supervision by army officials. Established in 1948, the Ansar–VDP is the largest paramilitary force in the world and supports the Bangladesh Police and other law enforcement agencies in maintaining internal security, rural protection, and community policing. It also plays a vital role in disaster response and community development programs across Bangladesh.[3][4][5][6][1]

History

Ansar member weaving on duty.

The name originates from the Arabic word of "Ansar" which denotes a "volunteer". The Ansar were the local inhabitants of Medina who, in Islamic tradition, took the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers (the Muhajirun) into their homes when they emigrated from Mecca during the hijra.[5][6]

Pakistan era

The Ansar Force was formed as the "East Bengal Ansars" by the East Bengal Ansars Act of 1948, and officially launched on 12 February 1948.[6] The first director of the Ansar was James Buchanan, a British official appointed by the government of then-Chief Minister of East Bengal Khawaja Nazimuddin.[6] The force was placed under the administration of the home ministry of the province of East Bengal (later known as East Pakistan). The force was rechristened to East Pakistan Ansars on 1957.

The emphasis was on recruiting in border areas, where Ansars were deployed to interdict smuggling and prevent emigrants from taking valuables out of the country illegally.[3] The force grew quickly. By early 1949, there were 118,000 Ansars. During the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, the then East Pakistan Ansar was deployed to the border along with the East Pakistan Rifles to support the Pakistan Army in defending the border.[6][3] During the 1950 East Pakistan riots, several cases of communal violence were committed by the East Pakistan Ansars against minorities.[7][8][full citation needed]

Involvement in the Bangladesh War of Independence

Main articles: Bangladesh Liberation War and Razakars (Pakistan)

During the Bangladesh Independence War of 1971, 40,000 Ansars joined the Bangladesh Forces and joined the guerrillas and assisted the Bengali members of the East Pakistan Police to fight against the Pakistan Army.[6][3][9][10][11][12] 12 Ansar members presented a guard of honour to the Bangladesh government in exile at 8 Theatre road on 17 April 1971.[13][3][9] As a result, the Ansar were disbanded by the government of Pakistan.[13] A new paramilitary force was then established, the now infamous Razakar militia.[14][15]

Post-independence

After the independence of Bangladesh, the force was reconstituted as the Bangladesh Ansar. The Ansar were given fresh importance by the government of President Ziaur Rahman, which designated the Ansar as the "people's defence force" and formed Ansar battalions.[16]

Raising of Ansar battalions

In 1976, 20 Ansar battalions were raised in line with the Armed Police Battalion to augment the strength of the security forces.[3] At present, there are 38 male and 2 female Ansar battalions deployed all over the country. Battalion Ansars are mainly deployed in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) for Counter Insurgency Operations (CIO), especially Operation Uttaran and south-western region of the country for Counter Terrorism Operations.[4][13][3]

Village Defence Parties

The Village Defence Party (VDP) was formed in 1976 and the Urban Defence Party (TDP) was formed in 1980.[17]

1994 mutiny and reforms

Main article: 1994 Bangladesh Ansar mutiny

In 1994, a mutiny against low pay and unfair treatment was suppressed by the Bangladesh Rifles.[18][19] This prompted a series of reforms by successive governments including the Ansar Bahini Act (1995), Battalion Ansar Act (1995) and the Village Defence Party Act (1995).[3] Under these Acts, the Ansar Bahini and the Battalion Ansars were declared as a "Disciplined Force" in accordance with article 152 of the Constitution.[3] The government also set up "Ansar VDP Unnayan Bank" where the members of Ansar-VDP members were entitled to loans and shares.[3][13]

In 1998, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP were awarded the National Standard, and in 2004, it was awarded the Independence Award.[13] The service of battalion Ansars was under National Pay Scale in October 2008, and they were entitled to family rations and combat uniform.[6] In 2006, the role of Ansar-VDP was expanded to fight rising militancy.[4] In 2016, the Ansar Striking Force, a 300 strong elite unit, was created to provide security to diplomats.[20]

2024 Secretariat clash

Main article: 2024 Bangladesh Ansar protest

Following the fall of Hasina government, a faction of Ansar members began protesting, demanding the nationalisation of their jobs and the abolition of the six-month "Rest System," among other benefits.[21] Their demonstrations caused severe traffic congestion across the capital, leading to significant public inconvenience.[22]

On 25 August, the Home Affairs Advisor, Retired Lt. Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, met with the protesting Ansar members. He announced a preliminary decision to abolish the controversial six-month "Rest System" and assured that the demand for nationalisation would be reviewed based on an upcoming committee report.[23][24]

Tensions escalated when Ansar members reportedly trapped two coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, along with other officials, including Information and Communications Technology adviser Nahid Islam, inside the Secretariat.[25]

Earlier that day, Hasnat Abdullah had accused the Ansar members of holding them captive and called for support on social media.[26] The situation worsened when Ansar members forced their way into the Secretariat, chanting slogans and demanding that their demands be met.[27]

Around 9 PM, a group of students marched from Dhaka University TSC to the Secretariat to rescue them but were met with a barrage of bricks and stones from the Ansar members, resulting in numerous injuries on both sides, including Hasnat Abdullah.[28][29]

Role

The stated missions of Ansar are:

  • To assist government or any authority under government in matters of public security[3][13][30]
  • To take part in any public welfare activities according to the government's instructions to improve socio-economic conditions of the country
  • To assist law enforcement agencies in metropolitan and industrial security
  • To assist the Bangladesh Armed Forces in national defense during war[4][6][16]
  • To provide security to national VIPs, CIPs and diplomats according to the government's instructions
  • To take part in any management after disasters according to the government's instructions

The members of Ansar also participate in education expansion programs, tree plantation, population control, women's empowerment, and sanitation activities.[4][31]

Rank structure

Commissioned officers

<tbody> </tbody>
Rank group General/Flag Officers Senior Officers Junior Officers
Bangladesh Ansar[32]
Director General Additional Director General Deputy Director General (Range Commander) Director (Range Director) Senior Deputy Director (District Commandant/Commanding Officer) Deputy Director Assistant Director (Above 4 years of service) (Assistant District Commandant/Second-In-Command) Assistant Director (Assistant District Commandant/Second-In-Command)
Grade[citation needed] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 (8)

Subordinate officers

<tbody> </tbody>
Rank group Junior Commissioned Officers Non-Commissioned Officers Enlisted
Bangladesh Ansar[33]
Circle Adjutant (Sub-district Ansar & Village Defence Party Officer/Company Commander) Assistant Circle Adjutant (Sub-district Instructor/Platoon Commander) Assistant Platoon Commander Havildar Naik Lance Naik Battalion Ansar
Grade[citation needed] 9 & 10 10 & 11 11 12 13 & 14 15 17

Organization

At present, there are three branches of Ansar: the General Ansar, the Battalion Ansar, and the Village Defence Party (VDP). Their combined draw is over 6 million, which is the largest force in the world as a paramilitary or single force.[34]

The Ansar is headed by a Director General of Lt Gen status, who also heads the Village Defence Party (VDP).[35]

Organizational Structure

The Bangladesh Ansar is made up of numerous departments and units including:[36]

  • Director-General
    • Deputy Director (Coordination)[37]
    • Additional Director-General[38]
      • Headquarters
        • Administration Directorate[39]
          • Executive Engineer Construction Branch[40]
          • Sub-Judge (Law officer) Legal Cell
          • Administration Branch
          • Record Branch
            • Documentation Division
          • Administration Wing Branch[41]
          • Q-Branch
            • Provision Branch
              • Store Branch
                • Store Ansar Division
                • Store VDP Division
          • Finance Branch
            • VDP Budget & Accounts Branch
            • Ansar Budget & Accounts Branch
              • Regimental Accounts Division
          • Medical Branch[42]
        • Operation Directorate
          • Editor Cun Administrator Protirodh
          • CHT Operations Branch
          • Operations Branch
            • General Branch[43]
            • Monitoring (Intelligence) Branch[44]
            • Communication Branch
            • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Branch[45]
          • Embodiment Branch
            • Battalion Wing
            • Key Point Installation (KPI) Wing[46]
            • Establishment Wing
        • Training Directorate[47]
          • Ansar Training Branch
          • VDP Training Branch
          • Project Training Branch[48]
          • Sports & Cultural Branch
          • Public Relations Branch[49]
      • Field Establishment
        • Ansar Training School
          • Administration
          • Medical Leave Room
          • Weapon Training Wing
            • Weapon Training Branch
              • Instructor Training Branch
              • Officer Training Branch
              • Refresher Training Branch
              • Battalion Training Branch
          • Development Wing
            • Motivation & Sannirvar Branch
            • Family Planning Branch
            • Agriculture & Horticulture Branch
            • Sports & Recreation Branch
            • Pisci-Culture Branch
            • Cottage Industries
        • Vocational Training Centre Kolakopa
          • Cottage Industry on Job Training Branch
          • Weapon Training Branch
        • Vocational Training Centre Gazipur
          • Cottage Industry on Job Training Branch
          • Sewing & Knitting Branch
        • Ansar-VDP Hospital
        • Dhaka Range Branch
        • Chittagong Range Branch
        • Cumilla Range Branch
        • Rajshahi Range Branch
        • Khulna Range Branch
        • Barishal Range Branch
        • Sylhet Range Branch
        • Rangpur Range Branch
        • Mymensingh Range Branch

Director-General

Director General of Bangladesh Ansar, also known as Ansar and VDP Chief, is the professional head of the Bangladesh Ansar. The current DG is Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud.[6]

The Director General functions from the Bangladesh Ansar Headquarters, which is located in the Khilgaon, Dhaka.[34]

Headquarters

The headquarters of the Ansar is located in Khilgaon, Dhaka and the training facilities are located at the Bangladesh Ansar & VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur, north of the national capital, Dhaka.[4][16]

Equipment

<tbody> </tbody>
Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Escort MP-PG 12-gauge Pump action shotgun Turkey 14,100[50][51][52]
Benelli Supernova 12-gauge Pump action shotgun Italy 1,800[50][51][52]
Unknown model 12-gauge Semi-automatic shotgun United Kingdom 14,100[50][51][52]

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Country Studies. Federal Research Division.

  1. ^ a b "6.1 million Ansar VDP members ready to enforce lockdown, says its director general". Dhaka Tribune. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  2. ^ Islam, Shariful; Kaium, Tousif (13 June 2026). "Home ministry budget rises 14.4%". The Daily Star. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Ansar and Village Defence Party". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "PM urged Ansar-VDP members to help resist militants". bdnews24.com. 23 January 2006. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b Heitzman, James; Worden, Robert, eds. (1989). "Auxiliary Forces". Bangladesh: A Country Study. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. p. 237.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "About Bangladesh Ansar & VDP". Bangladesh Ansar & VDP – Government of Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  7. ^ Ray, Jayanta Kumar (1968). Democracy and Nationalism on Trial. Simla: Indian Institute of Advancef Study.
  8. ^ Panjabi, Kavita (14 August 2010). "Otiter Jed or Times of Revolution: Ila Mitra, the Santals and Tebhaga Movement". Economic and Political Weekly. 45 (2010).
  9. ^ a b "Role of Bangladesh Ansar and VDF in socio-economic development". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party".
  11. ^ "Charishwardia Union". 14 November 2022.
  12. ^ Probir, Kumar; Sarker (9 March 2017). "East Pakistan had many pro-Pakistani army officers". Dhaka Tribune.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Bangladesh ansar & village defence party". The Guardian. Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  14. ^ "Razakar was launched with 96 Jamaat men". The Daily Star. 31 October 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  15. ^ Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Razakar". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  16. ^ a b c Taru Bahl, M.H. Syed (2003). Encyclopaedia of the Muslim World. Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 184–85. ISBN 978-81-261-1419-1.
  17. ^ ইতিহাস [History]. Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Force (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  18. ^ Chowdhury, Afsan. "What Lies Below". Forum. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  19. ^ "Ansar militiamen clench their fist and shout slogans". Getty Images. 5 October 2004. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  20. ^ "It'll provide security to foreign diplomats, missions: FM". The New Nation. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Peons of schools and Ansar members stage protest at Secretariat". The Business Standard. 25 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Traffic at a standstill near Press Club amid Ansar protest". bdnews24.com. 25 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Ansar personnel return to duty after talks with home affairs adviser". New Age. 25 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Ansar personnel clash with regime-toppling students outside Secretariat". bdnews24.com. 26 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Govt officials at Secretariat freed after 12hrs". Dhaka Tribune. 26 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Dozens injured as students, Ansar members clash near Secretariat". Dhaka Tribune. 25 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Ansar personnel besiege Secretariat, meet with home advisor". bdnews24.com. 25 August 2024.
  28. ^ "30 injured as Ansars clash with students". The Daily Star. 26 August 2024.
  29. ^ গুরুতর আহত হয়ে ঢাকা মেডিকেলে হাসনাত আব্দুল্লাহ. Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 25 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Protect public life, property". The Daily Star. No. 1. UNB. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  31. ^ বাংলাদেশ আনসার ভিডিপি তে নতুন নিয়োগ বিজ্ঞপ্তি প্রকাশ ।. 30 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Badges of Ranks". Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  33. ^ "Badges of Ranks". Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  34. ^ a b "Bangladesh Ansar and VDP are the largest single forces in the world". 6 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Profile of Director General". Bangladesh Ansar & VDP – Government of Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  36. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "TO & E" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/organograms/6922d918933eb65569dfc825, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  37. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Deputy Director (Coord)" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922dc06933eb65569e0e05a, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  38. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Additional Director General" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922ddd9933eb65569e16a56, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  39. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Administration Section" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922dfe1933eb65569e24769, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  40. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Engineering Branch" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922dfd1933eb65569e2422c, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  41. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Wing Branch." Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922de5e933eb65569e1a297, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  42. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Medical Branch" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922dc76933eb65569e10814, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  43. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "General Branch" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922de41933eb65569e195be, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  44. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Intelligence Branch" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922dc7f933eb65569e10afc, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  45. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "ICT Branch" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922ddd9933eb65569e16a56, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  46. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Operations (KPI) Branch" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922ddd7933eb65569e1692e, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  47. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "DDG Training" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922e13a933eb65569e2afc7, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  48. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Project training" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922de8e933eb65569e1b8e0, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  49. ^ Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (May 3, 2026) "Public Relations Branch" Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, https://ansarvdp.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/6922e06e933eb65569e2705d, Date accessed: July 27, 2026
  50. ^ a b c "Bangladesh government buying 30,000 shotguns for Ansar and VDP". bdnews24.com. 12 September 2018.
  51. ^ a b c ৩০ হাজার শটগান পাচ্ছে আনসার ও গ্রাম প্রতিরক্ষা বাহিনী (in Bengali). Channel 24. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  52. ^ a b c রংপুরে আনসার ও গ্রাম প্রতিরক্ষা বাহিনীর শটগান প্রশিক্ষন (in Bengali). Dainik Rangpur. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
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