Rapid Action Battalion
| Rapid Action Battalion র্যাপিড অ্যাকশন ব্যাটালিয়ন | |
|---|---|
Emblem of Rapid Action Battalion | |
| Abbreviation | RAB |
| Motto | বাংলাদেশ আমার অহংকার Bangladesh is My Pride |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | March 26, 2004 |
| Employees | Approx. 12,000 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | Bangladesh |
| Operations jurisdiction | Bangladesh |
| Size | 148,460 km2 (57,320 sq mi) |
| Population | 162 million |
| Governing body | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Constituting instrument |
|
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Kurmitola, Dhaka |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent agency | Bangladesh Police |
| Functions | 5
|
| Facilities | |
| Battalions | 15 |
| Armored vehicles | Otokar Cobra, IAG Guardian, STREIT Typhoon |
| Helicopters | Bell 407 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
| Service uniform: Black Combat uniform: Black | |
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Rapid Action Battalion (Bengali: র্যাপিড অ্যাকশন ব্যাটালিয়ন, romanized: Ryāpiḍ Ôyākśôn Byāṭāliẏôn; abbreviated as RAB) is an anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police. This elite force consists of members of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Ansar. It was formed on 26 March 2004 as Rapid Action Team (RAT), and commenced operations on 14 April 2004.
The Rapid Action Battalion has faced criticism from human rights groups for their use of extrajudicial killings and alleged involvement in forced disappearances. It is estimated that between 2004 and 2008, RAB had killed 1,062 people.