Bangladesh’s security agencies have established a comprehensive “covert and overt” protection grid ahead of the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Following high-level consultations between the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF), a sophisticated security perimeter has been mapped out, utilising a color-coded zoning strategy—Red, Yellow, and White—to ensure maximum safety.
The “Red Zone” represents the most sensitive tier, encompassing the immediate vicinity of the Acting Chairman. Access to this inner sanctum is strictly limited to individuals possessing high-clearance security cards. The “Yellow Zone” acts as a secondary buffer, requiring its own specific accreditation, while the “White Zone” remains open to the general public under the watchful eye of law enforcement.
Strategic Deployment and Personnel
| Security Tier | Personnel Type | Operational Role |
| Covert | Plainclothes Detectives | Clandestine intelligence and threat detection |
| Overt | Uniformed Police | Visible deterrence and crowd management |
| Total Force | Approx. 2,000 Officers | Comprehensive route and site protection |
| Checkpoints | Expanded Network | Intensified stop-and-search in Gulshan/Banani |
The “No SSF” Protocol
Despite the scale of the operation, the government has confirmed that Tarique Rahman will not be granted protection from the Special Security Force (SSF), the elite unit typically reserved for heads of state and visiting dignitaries. However, Additional Commissioner of the DMP, SN Nazrul Islam, clarified that the “covert and overt” measures are robust enough to provide equivalent security. This approach blends the visible authority of uniformed officers with the deep-cover capabilities of intelligence units.
Securing the Gulshan Enclave
A primary focal point of the security plan is the high-profile Gulshan neighbourhood. Given that Tarique Rahman’s residence and the home of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia share a boundary wall, the entire perimeter has been designated a high-priority zone. The short distance between the residences and the political office is being treated as an “ultra-critical” transit point.
As of the early hours of Wednesday, surveillance has already been intensified. On 25 December, security will be tightened across every police station along the route from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gulshan via Evercare Hospital. While the Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara areas usually maintain nine permanent checkpoints staffed by 150 officers, these numbers have been dramatically increased.
Deputy Commissioner Rawnak Alam confirmed that all units are now operating in a coordinated fashion. While final field orders are being fine-tuned, the objective remains clear: to maintain a seamless, sterile corridor for the Acting Chairman’s arrival amidst expectedly large crowds of supporters.