Members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force (VDP) from upazila and thana Ansar platoons are participating across all divisions in the Bangladesh Army’s Summer Exercise-2026, running from 5 July to 14 July 2026, marking the first time volunteer members from these units have been included at this scale. The exercise is being held across multiple divisions of the Bangladesh Army and aims to strengthen inter-service coordination and operational preparedness, according to a press release issued on Sunday.
The inclusion of upazila and thana Ansar company volunteers in the nationwide exercise is being described as a significant milestone in enhancing the force’s capability, reflecting the concept of late President Ziaur Rahman’s People’s Warfare doctrine. The participation of trained grassroots volunteers in the Summer Exercise-2026 is positioned as an effort to strengthen responses in both conventional and unconventional warfare scenarios and to improve coordination between security forces during national crises.
As preparation, participating members have completed a three-day on-the-job training programme that included practical instruction in raids, ambushes, farm base establishment and other minor operational activities. The training was designed to enhance operational readiness and confidence ahead of the field exercise, the press release said.
Under the leadership of the current Director General, the upazila Ansar companies and platoons have been reorganised and restructured with the inclusion of educated, young and patriotic members, strengthening field-level organisational capacity. Through participation in the exercise, members are expected to gain practical experience in both conventional and unconventional warfare tactics, which authorities say will contribute to future national security and disaster response capability.
The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh Army for enabling participation of volunteer VDP members in the Summer Exercise-2026, said in a press release.
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