Dhaka //

File photo. The ‘Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Bill, 2026’ has been passed in the National Parliament with the aim of enacting a new law to replace the existing ‘Armed Police Battalions Ordinance’.

On Thursday (September 10), Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed tabled the bill in Parliament, which was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram. It was subsequently passed by a voice vote.

The bill stipulates that the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) will be constituted and operated as a specialized unit of the Bangladesh Police force. This specialized unit will encompass the Special Security and Protection Battalion, Hill Tracts Battalion, Airport Battalion, and any other special battalion designated by the government as needed.

The new law grants the APBn direct legal authority to investigate criminal offenses within its jurisdiction. Consequently, subject to compliance with the Code of Criminal Procedure and other existing laws of the country, the force will have the legal right to enter crime scenes, conduct searches, seize evidence and property, and arrest suspected offenders.

A special provision regarding the protection of administrative information has been included in the new law. It states that no member of the APBn may—directly or indirectly—disclose or assist in disclosing any information, official documents, or sensitive matters to electronic media or newspapers without the prior permission of the authority.

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