A new infantry division of Bangladesh Army commenced

SYLHET, Sept 17: A new infantry division of Bangladesh Army commenced its formal journey on Tuesday unveiling a new milestone on the way to implementation of the Forces Goal 2030, the development vision of Bangladesh Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally announced the raising of the 17 Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army by hoisting flag of the division at Jalalabad Cantonment here. She also released balloons on the occasion. At the function, the flags of the newly formed 360 Infantry Brigade and the 32 and 33 Bangladesh Infantry Regiments were also raised.

Prime Minister said new infantry, armour, artillery, air defence and engineering units are being raised up to strengthen the Bangladesh Army according to Forces Goal-2030.

She said the present government after taking office in 2009, has taken all pragmatic measures for development of army. In this continuation, she said, the 17th Infantry Division, and one infantry brigade sadar and two infantry battalions are being launched.

Very soon, a new composite brigade would be established comprising two more infantry units and one engineering construction battalion to monitor the implementation of the Padma Bridge project and maintain security, she said adding "this efforts of development will continue in future".

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had laid the foundation of strong armed forces for independent Bangladesh and formulated the Defense Policy 1974.

Following his footprint, she said, Bangladesh Awami League during its tenure from 1996 to 2001 had established many units of the army for its expansion and modernization.

As part of the stride, Sheikh Hasina said, her government had established and reconstituted one infantry and one mixed brigade.

risingbd // smmr

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