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Following the inauguration, Lt Col AKM Manjur Elahi, director of the K-9 unit and training centre, said, “Currently, the dogs are deployed in 30 battalions across the country. These dogs will mainly operate at border control points and areas to detect and prevent smuggling of narcotics and explosives.”

The inauguration also marked the beginning of operations for the Guard Police Battalion as a separate unit.

This battalion will primarily focus on three major tasks: traffic control, investigation and inquiry into internal incidents and accidents, and VIP and VVIP security and protocol.

Md Iftekhar Hossain, director of the Guard Police Battalion, said the newly-inaugurated Ukhia Battalion will be responsible for protecting the southeastern border and preventing human trafficking and drug smuggling.

Adviser Jahangir Alam said four battalions have been integrated into the force alongside the 64 BGB (Ukhia) Battalion.

He also pointed out that the area remains a major route for drug trafficking, alongside the ongoing Rohingya issue. “If needed, more battalions will be added in the future to ensure border security,” he said.

He said the establishment of the Ukhia Battalion (64 BGB) would address border security imbalances by ensuring better patrols and surveillance.

This unit will also play a vital role in preventing Rohingya infiltration and combating drug smuggling in Teknaf and Ukhia, he said.