While a full-blown crisis may not be visible yet, the army may be facing challenges with pro-Awami League and Islamist factions jostling for influence, the people cited earlier told ET. While army chief Waqar-uz-Zaman, a centrist, still has control over the force, two other power centres have emerged within the army, ET has learnt.
According to the people cited earlier, one of the power centres is being led by Lt. General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque – Commandant, National Defence College – Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka. He is backed by pro-Awami League Major General Muhammad Moin Khan of the Ninth Division of the Bangladesh army, often considered the most powerful division.
Lt Gen Haque was the parade commander of Victory Day Parade 2022 and previously Chief of Gen Staff at the army headquarters. He was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry in July 1989. He was awarded the coveted ‘Sword of Honour” for best all-round performance at his commission. He has also served as director of weapons, equipment and statistics directorate in army headquarters, General Staff Branch.
The other faction is led by Lt General Mohammad Faizur Rahman. According to sources, he is in touch with student leaders, including Yunus adviser Mahfuz Alam from Hizbut Tahrir, and previously served as the head of Bangladesh army’s military intelligence, DGFI.
There are rumours, according to sources, that Gen Rahman was part of the conspiracy to remove the Bangladesh President when Gen Waqar-uz-Zaman was abroad. Sources alleged that Lt Gen Rahman could even be part of the conspiracy to remove the army chief if chief adviser Md Yunus steps down in the coming months and departs from Dhaka.Bangladesh army has a history of over 20 coups and counter-coups from the mid-1970s till the early 1980s.