President Guard Regiment Explained

Unit Name:President Guard Regiment
প্রেসিডেন্ট গার্ড রেজিমেন্ট
Dates:1976 – present
Type:Mechanized Infantry
Role:Protection of the President and Prime minister[1]
VVIPs as per state protocol.
Size:3 Regiments
Garrison:Dhaka Cantonment
Anniversaries:5 July[2]
Commander1: Major General Mohammad Adil Chowdhury (MSP)
Commander1 Label:Commander of the Regiment
Commander2: Brigadier General Mohammad Khaled Kamal
Commander2 Label:Operational Commander
Commander3 Label:Commander PGR
Identification Symbol Label:Flag

The President Guard Regiment (Bengali: প্রেসিডেন্ট গার্ড রেজিমেন্ট|Prēsiḍēnṭa gārḍa rējimēnṭa; abbreviated as PGR) is a cavalry regiment of Bangladesh Army under the Executive Office of the President of Bangladesh.[3] [4] It is located at Dhaka Cantonment, Banga Bhaban and Ganabhaban.[5] It provides military support for all security functions;[6] [7] including presidential travel, general medical support, emergency medical services, and hospitality services.[8] [9] The PGR is headed by the Military Secretary to the President and the Commander, President Guard Regiment. The regiment was created by President Ziaur Rahman in 1976. It was originally designated as the Presidential Security Force. The PSF was restructured and upgraded to full regimental status by President Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1982 and the new title of President Guard Regiment was adopted.

History

The "predecessor" of the regiment was the President's Bodyguard of Pakistan, which was itself descended from the colonial-era Governor General's Bodyguard. This role was discontinued in 1971 with Bangladeshi independence but the regiment was established in 1976 and restructured in 1982, and charged with ensuring the physical security of the President, visiting heads of state and high-ranking dignitaries.

Mission and function

The force is charged with providing security for the President of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh,[10] their immediate family members and any other VVIPs designated as such by both enacted legislation and government decisions.[11] [12]

All presidential aides-de-camp are assigned under this office. Visiting spouses of foreign Heads of State, Heads of Government and dignitaries also receive their protection.[13] [14]

The commander of the President Guard Regiment is an army major general with the designation of Military Secretary to the President; the equivalent of the U.S. Director of the White House Military Office.[15] The commander reports directly to the president.[16]

The Commander is normally a Brigadier General with responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the regiment.

The regiment consists of eight platoons, each commanded by either a major or a captain. The regiment's uniform varies slightly from that of other units of the Bangladesh Army. Its members are authorised to carry firearms when in uniform, even during peacetime.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: President asks PGR to ensure security for VVIPs not isolating them from people. 5 July 2023. Prothom Alo.
  2. Web site: http://www.ispr.gov.bd/news_details1.php?news=616 . bn:স্বতন্ত্র প্রেসিডেন্ট গার্ড রেজিমেন্ট (পিজিআর) এর ৩৯ তম প্রতিষ্ঠাবার্ষিকী পালিত 05-07-2014 . Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), Ministry of Defence . bn . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714193843/http://www.ispr.gov.bd/news_details1.php?news=616 . 14 July 2014.
  3. News: Ensure VVIPs security with advanced IT training, excellence: President. 28 July 2024 . BSS.
  4. News: Work to uphold glory of PGR: President. Dhaka. Unb. 17 July 2019. The Daily Star.
  5. Web site: Armed forces, a symbol of our sovereignty: PM . 7 July 2024 .
  6. News: President urges Guard Regiment to embrace latest IT skills . . 6 July 2024 . en.
  7. News: President asks PGR to comply with chain of command . 28 July 2024 . The Financial Express . en.
  8. News: President asks PGR to ensure security for VVIPs not isolating them from people . . 5 July 2023 . en.
  9. News: Unb . Dhaka . Work to uphold glory of PGR: President . The Daily Star . 17 July 2019 . en.
  10. News: UNB . Dhaka . PM renews commitment to modernise army . The Daily Star . 6 July 2010 . en.
  11. News: Ensure security for VVIPs without disrupting public attachment, president asks PGR . The Financial Express . en.
  12. News: Bangabhaban bids farewell to President Hamid. BSS.
  13. News: Unb . Dhaka . President asks PGR to be loyal to leadership . The Daily Star . 6 July 2010 . en.
  14. News: Armed forces developed as three-dimensional: PM Hasina . The Business Standard . 7 July 2024 . en.
  15. Web site: কর্মকর্তাবৃন্দের তালিকা . রাষ্ট্রপতির কার্যালয়, বঙ্গভবন . আপন বিভাগ, রাষ্ট্রপতির কার্যালয় . 28 July 2024.
  16. Book: Heitzman . James . Worden . Robert L . 1989 . Bangladesh: A Country Study 2nd . . Washington, D.C. . 221–222 . 89-600298 . 49223313 . Another security organization is the Presidential Security Force. Formed by Ershad while he was chief martial law administrator, the organization's mission is to ensure the physical security of Ershad and his family ... The commander of the Presidential Security Force is an army brigadier who reports directly to the president..