Lt Gen Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Huq new army chief

The government has appointed a new chief to Bangladesh Army.

Armed Forces Division’s Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt Gen Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Huq will be replacing General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan at the helm of the force that has earned a name for itself in global peacekeeping.

Gen Huq will take charge as a general on June 25, Directorate of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director Shaheenul Islam told bdnews24.com.

Born in 1958, Huq joined the Bangladesh Army in 1978. He has been serving as the PSO since 2013.

His brother Annisul Huq was elected Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation in April.

Father to two, Shafiul Huq was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’ for his outstanding performance in the Military Academy as a young cadet. 

Huq completed Bachelor of Arts from Dhaka University and did his Master’s in Defence Studies from the National University.

He also has a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree on regional connectivity from the same organisation.

Lt Gen Huq’s military education includes a variety of training courses, both at home and abroad on strategic studies, tactics, military science, and weapon systems.

He is a graduate at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur, Bangladesh and also at the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavanworth, Kansas, USA.

He attended National Defence Course and Capstone Course at NDC, Bangladesh.

Gen Huq took part in the UN peacekeeping missions as an observer in UNIIMOG (Iraq) and Deputy Force Commander of UNMEE (Ethiopia and Eritrea).

He served as the ADC to the President, Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade and Chief of Staff of an Infantry Division.

He was also an Instructor at Bangladesh Military Academy and Chief Instructor at Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur.

He commanded two Armour Units, three Brigades (One Armour and two Infantry) and two Divisions, and served as Military Secretary and Adjutant General of Bangladesh Army.