9th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)

The 9th Infantry Division ("The Lightning Division") is a formation of the Bangladesh Army, based in Savar. It is the first infantry division of the Bangladesh Army that was raised post-Independence.

9th Infantry Division
Active20 November 1976 - present
Country Bangladesh
Branch Bangladesh Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Garrison/HQSavar Cantonment

The division is considered the most strategic and important formation of the Bangladesh Army, as it is entrusted with the security of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

History

9th Infantry Division was raised on 20 November 1976 [1] in Dhaka Cantonment as the first division of the Bangladesh Army. The division started under the command of Major General Mir Shawkat Ali, headquartered at Sher-e-Bangla Nagor in Dhaka. At first, the division had 77th Infantry Brigade, 81st Infantry Brigade and 29th East Bengal Regiment under its command. During this time the 77th Infantry Brigade was made up of 9th East Bengal Regiment, 13th East Bengal Regiment and 28th East Bengal Regiment; and the 81st Infantry Brigade contained 8th East Bengal Regiment, 11th East Bengal Regiment and 27th East Bengal Regiment. The division completed its organisational structure with the induction of 9th Artillery Brigade on 22 March 1976.

On 31 May 1984, the divisional headquarters was permanently moved to Savar Cantonment. On 1 September 1984, 309th infantry brigade was raised under this division and 71st infantry brigade was added on 30 June 1992. At that time, Savar Cantonment, Ghatail Cantonment and Momenshahi Cantonment were under 9th Infantry division but on 1 July 1992, the Ghatail and Momenshahi cantonments, along with 309 Infantry brigade and 77 Infantry brigade, were transferred to the then newly formed 19th Infantry Division.

On 20 September 2013, 99th Composite Brigade was added to the division, made up of 58th East Bengal Regiment, 34th Bangladesh Infantry Regiment and 20th Engineering Construction Battalion to provide security and support during the construction of Padma Bridge.[2]

Formation

Under the division there are one infantry brigades,one mechanized brigades, one artillery brigade and one composite brigade.

Combat Arms

  • Cavalry:
    • 12 Bangal Lancer
  • Infantry:
    • 5 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment (support)
    • 71 Infantry Brigade (Mechanized)
      • 11 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment (Mechanized)
      • 15 East Bangal Regiment
      • 18 East Bangal Regiment
    • 81 Infantry Brigade
      • 8 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment
      • 60 East Bangal Regiment
    • 99 Composite Brigade (Padma Cantonment)
      • 58 East Bengal Regiment
      • 34 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment
  • Regiment of Artillery
    • 9 Artillery Brigade
      • 45 MLRS Regiment Artillery
      • 39 Division locating battery Artillery
      • 7 Field Regiment Artillery
      • 3 Field Regiment Artillery

Combat support

  • Engineer
    • 8 Engineer Battalion
  • Signals
    • 7 Signal Battalion
    • Static Signal Savar

Service

  • 33 Supply & Transport Battalion
  • 11 Field Ambulance
  • 2 Military Police
  • EME Savar
  • Combined Military Hospital,Savar
  • Military Dental Center,Savar

References
  1. Chowdhury, Major general Moinul Hossain (2000). Eka jenārelera nīraba sākshya : svādhīnatāra prathama daśaka এক জেনারেলের নীরব সাক্ষ্য স্বাধীনতার প্রথম দশক (১৯৭১-১৯৮১) [A General's Silent Testimony: The First Decade of Independence (1971-1981)] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Mowla Brothers. p. 97. ISBN 984-410-175-1.
  2. "PM inaugurates new composite brigade for Padma bridge". Dhaka Tribune. BSS. 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
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