Faruk Ahmed appointed new SRB director general

Additional Inspector General of Police Faruk Ahmed has been appointed the new director general (DG) of the Special Response Battalion (SRB).

He was brought to the leadership of the force after playing an active role in restoring discipline on highways and tackling extortion and robbery involving vehicles.

The Home Ministry issued a notification on Tuesday announcing his appointment. The same notification also announced reshuffles involving seven police officials, including five additional inspectors general and two deputy inspectors general.

According to the notification, Faruk Ahmed replaces outgoing SRB Director General Ahsan Habib Pallas.

One of the significant recent chapters of his career was his tenure as chief of Highway Police. He took charge in the first week of July and initiated coordinated efforts to restore discipline on highways, ensure smooth traffic movement and curb extortion and robbery.

His priorities included reducing opportunities for crimes on highways, ensuring the safety of passengers and transport workers through people-friendly policing, and strengthening the effectiveness of police operations at the field level.

Under his leadership, initiatives were taken to expand the use of technology in highway security. As part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against crime and drug smuggling, the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway was brought under CCTV surveillance.

Additionally, advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cameras were installed at 16 key points along the highway. Similar technology-based surveillance measures have also been planned for the Dhaka-Mawa Highway.

These initiatives were aimed at improving the detection of crime and drug smuggling and strengthening surveillance of suspicious activities.

At the same time, field-level police operations were intensified to prevent extortion, robbery and other crimes involving vehicles on highways. He also emphasised accountability in police duties, increased surveillance in crime-prone areas and ensuring an effective police presence on highways.

According to sources concerned, incidents of extortion and robbery on highways declined significantly during his tenure, with some cases reportedly falling to zero.

The technology-based surveillance measures, stronger field operations and initiatives to restore discipline on highways are considered among the notable achievements of his tenure as chief of Highway Police.