DHAKA: Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq has been made new chief of Bangladesh Army.

His appointment was revealed on Wednesday noon. He will be promoted to 4-star rank and take charge as Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Army on June 25.

Shafiul Huq, ndc, psc took over the responsibility of Principal Staff Officer, Prime Minister’s Office, Armed Forces Division on January 1 in 2013. Prior to assuming this position he had been serving as Commandant, Defence Services Command and Staff College.

Born in December 1958, Shafiul was commissioned in Armoured Corps on 18 June 1978 from Bangladesh Military Academy.

For his outstanding performance in the Military Academy, he was adjudged as the best all round cadet of his batch and was awarded with ‘Sword of Honour’.

Shafiul obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dhaka University and Master Degree on ‘Defense Studies’ from National University Bangladesh and Masters in Philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals.

Presently he is doing PhD on Regional Connectivity under the same university.

His military education includes a variety of training courses, both at home and abroad on strategic studies, tactics, military science, weapon systems, UN Staff Procedure etc.

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

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

Shafiul was a member of the pioneer Group of Officers sent to UN Peace Keeping Mission from Bangladesh.

BDST: 1704 HRS, JUN 10, 2015
RR/SMS

** Shafiul Huq new army chief