Special Branch

The Special Branch (SB) is the prime intelligence agency of Bangladesh Police, being an important agency in the Bangladeshi intelligence community. The chief of the SB has the rank of Additional Inspector General, equivalent to Secretary or Major General. Md. Monirul Islam, bpm (bar), ppm (bar) Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Police, is the current head of Special Branch. Historical background Formation of the intelligence wing during British rule As the Congress movement was taking off, Dufferin became aware of the inadequacy of the system of collection of political intelligence and saw in the Indian National Congress, a threat to the stability of the empire, as there was no other political movement at that time raging in the country. In response to Dufferin's proposal, the Secretary of State for India issued an order on 22 December 1887 for setting up a Central Special Branch and also Special Branches of the Police Department at the headquarters of each provincial Government.