Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been officially dissolved and has commenced operations under a new identity as the Special Response Battalion (SRB), functioning as a specialised unit under the police.
The unit formally launched its activities on Wednesday.
Force Chief Ahsan Habib Palash confirmed the development, adding that a gazette had been published under the name “Special Response Battalion (SRB)” and all operational activities under the new name began on Wednesday.
Earlier, on 10 September, a bill was passed in Parliament to dissolve RAB and establish the new specialised unit under the police force. A gazette notification issued last Tuesday provided legal framework to the new structure, following which the unit started operations the next day.
Branding updates were reflected in the invitation cards for the new force’s press conference, which featured a logo reading “SRB Bangladesh” instead of RAB. However, no changes were made to the design of the logo itself.
Press releases issued by various units of the force are also using the logo with the updated name. RAB was originally established on 26 March 2004 during the tenure of the then BNP-Jamaat coalition government.
While the force’s role in controlling law and order through various operations was noted, it later faced widespread criticism over allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and human rights violations.
On 10 December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its then and former officials over allegations of serious human rights violations.
Following the July Mass Uprising, demands mounted to dissolve RAB and restructure the force. On 10 December 2024, a police administration reform committee formed by the BNP also recommended the dissolution of RAB.
Consequently, the government restructured RAB’s framework and operational scope to form the SRB, bringing an end to the old structure and establishing it as a specialised police unit.
