Border Guards Bangladesh Border Guard Bangladesh or BGB ( ) ( formerly known as Bangladesh Rifles ) is the oldest uniformed force in Bangladesh . It is a paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs . BGB is primarily responsible for the border security of the country , in Bangladesh the force is known as " The Vigilant Sentinels of the National Frontier " . History . Border Guard Bangladesh as a paramilitary force , is entrusted with the responsibility to defend the 4 , 427 km border of the country . It is the first line of defence for the nation . BGB boasts an illustrious past with rich traditions and a remarkable military history spanning over two centuries . During peacetime this force is also responsible for anti - smuggling operations , investigating cross border crime and extending governmental authority to remote and isolated areas . From time to time BGB has also been called upon to assist the administration in the maintenance of internal law & order , relief and rehabilitation work after any kind of natural disaster . During wartime BGB comes under the control of the Ministry of Defence as an auxiliary force to Bangladesh Army . Ramgarh Local Battalion ( 1795 – 1861 ) . The force was established in 29 June 1795 at the city of ' Ramgarh ' consisting of 486 personnel as the “ Frontier Protection Force ” under the command of the East India Company . Later the force was converted into a paramilitary unit with its own name ( Ramgarh Local Battalion ) and uniform . At that time its primary responsibility was to suppress insurgent activities around the Ramgarh area . During 1799 , the force established its first camp at Pilkhana , where the headquarters remain to this day . The camp unit then was known as “ Special Reserve Company ” . Frontier Guards ( 1861 – 1891 ) . The Ramgarh Local Battalion was renamed as the ' Frontier Guards ' and remained so for thirty years . Bengal Military Police ( 1891 – 1919 ) . In 1891 the Frontier Guards were re - organized and re - equipped with modern weapons and renamed once again as the ‘ Bengal Military Police ’ . Commanded by a Subedar ( Senior Warrant Officer ) , the BMP had four companies located in Dhaka , Dhumka , and Gangtok . This force also participated in the First World War . Eastern Frontier Rifles ( 1920 – 1947 ) . The BMP was reorganized yet once again and renamed as the ‘ Eastern Frontier Rifles ’ in 1920 . Its primary task was to protect the borders . It also took part in numerous military operations during the Second World War . East Pakistan Rifles ( 1947 – 1971 ) . After the partition of the Indian sub - continent ‘ Eastern Frontier Rifles ’ was re - grouped and renamed as the ' East Pakistan Rifles ' . It was the primary border protection force of the then East Pakistan . A number of Metropolitan Armed Police of Calcutta and some 1 , 000 ex - soldiers of West Pakistan merged into this force . Officers from the army were transferred to command and reorganize EPR . In 1958 , it was also assigned the anti - smuggling duties on top of its primary role as the border guards . In 1965 India Pakistan war this force fought valiantly and successfully in a number of skirmishes in Lathitila , Dohogram , Laksmipur , Assalong and Boroibari . Major Tofael was awarded the highest military award of erstwhile Pakistan , ‘ Nishan - e - Haider ’ , for his action in the Laksmipur Operation . The strength of the force was 13 , 454 during March 1971 . Bangladesh Rifles ( 1971 – 2010 ) . During the war of independence members of the EPR were the first to respond against Pakistan Army . Adjutant Captain Mr . Rafiqul Islam was a smart guy in Chittagong sector . He understand the situation of 1971 and prepare them self to fight against any situation . At 25th march Dr . Jafor a famous eye specialist informed Mr . Rafiq that Pakistan Army has left the cantonment . Mr . Rafiq tells a book named by , A Tale of Millions , page 56 , " I told Dr . Zafar , I alongnith my troops of E . P . R . will fight The Pakistan Army to save our people and to free them . Move to Sholashahar and the Cantonment and tell all Bangali soldiers to join us . Meet me at my tactical HQ on the Railway Hill . Immediately I dialled Halishahar E . P . R . HQ where the Bangli JCOs were waiting my orders . " The E . P . R . Officers captured all Pakistani Officers and move forward . At 26 March Pakistan Army send a trop by Bregedear Iqbal . The E . P . R . take an ambush against them . Captain Rafiq Tells " This ambush by the E . P . R . troops at kumira was the first direct action agains the enemy in the history of our liberation war . " . At 26 March 1971 Sheikh Mujibs ' s declaration of independence also stimulate Rifles ' members participated in the liberation struggle right from its inception . At the final Bangladesh Forces Sector Commanders Conference presided by General M . A . G Osmani , on January 29 , 1972 , the East Pakistan Rifles was renamed as the Bangladesh Rifles . Border Guard Bangladesh ( 2010 – onward ) . The Bangladesh Rifles have gone through some fundamental changes since 2010 . It was officially renamed as Border Guard Bangladesh on January 23 , 2011 . Liberation War and BDR . During the liberation war of 1971 nearly nine thousand of its members took up arms against the brutal genocide of Pakistan Army . Eight hundred and seventeen of those were known to be killed in action . Decorations . The then " East Pakistan Rifles " , now BGB , joined the Bangladesh Liberation War on the side of East Pakistan in 1971 . One hundred and forty one members earned gallantry awards for their outstanding contribution to the liberation war of Bangladesh . Two of them Lance Naik Nur Mohammad Sheikh and Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf posthumously earned the Bir Sreshtha , which is the highest gallantry award of the nation ; 8 earned the Bir Uttam , 40 earned the Bir Bikram and 91 earned the Bir Protik awards . After independence , on 3 March 1972 the force had been renamed as Bangladesh Rifles . As a mark of recognition for the courage and bravery of its members , BDR introduced ' Bangladesh Rifles Podok ' in 1985 and President Rifles podok ’ in 1989 . So far , 21 members had received the ' Bangladesh Rifles Podok ' and 29 had received the ‘ President Rifles Podok ’ . Organization . The BGB is commanded by a Major General . The BGB administration and most of the officer corps are trained and deputed from the Bangladesh Army . There are , however , around 100 officers who are promoted from within the force itself . They can be promoted as high as Deputy Director ( D . D ) which is equivalent to the rank of Lt . Colonel and Assistant Director ( A . D ) equivalent to the rank of major and Deputy Assistant Director ( D . A . D ) equivalent to the rank of Captain in Bangladesh Army . Its current strength is 67 , 000 + structured along 61 battalions and numerous border outposts ( B . O . P . ) , mostly along the borders . BGB is organized into a central headquarters and 4 regional headquarters . Under the regional headquarters there are 16 sectors . Each sector is commanded by a Colonel . February 2009 Mutiny . On 25 February 2009 , the regular BDR soldiers massacred senior officials including family members , killing almost the entire higher echelon of the command structure ( about 57 Army officers who were present in the BDR HQ ) , including the Director General of BDR . The reasons for the mutiny are yet unconfirmed but conspiracy theories are abundant . However , after all the killings , 48 hrs later by early morning hours of 27 February 2009 security forces in Bangladesh rounded up hundreds of fugitive border guards after a two - day mutiny crumbled in the face of a government show of force . The arrests came a day after army tanks surrounded the Bangladesh Rifles ’ headquarters in the capital Dhaka .