Rapid Action Battalion

Rapid Action Battalion
র‍্যাপিড অ্যাকশন ব্যাটালিয়ন
Rapid Action Battalion; র‍্যাপিড অ্যাকশন ব্যাটালিয়ন
	Emblem of Rapid Action Battalion
Abbreviation	RAB
Motto	বাংলাদেশ আমার অহংকার; Bangladesh is my pride
Agency overview
Formed	26 March 2004
Employees	Approx. 12,000
Jurisdictional structure
National agency	Bangladesh
Operations jurisdiction	Bangladesh
Size	148,460 km2 (57,320 sq mi)
Population	162 million
Governing body	Ministry of Home Affairs
Constituting instrument	The Police Act, 1861;
General nature	Gendarmerie;
Operational structure
Headquarters	Kurmitola, Dhaka
Minister responsible	Salahuddin Ahmed, Minister of Home Affairs;
Agency executive	Addl. IGP Md. Ahsan Habib Palash, Director General;
Parent agency	Bangladesh Police
Child agency	Intelligence Wing of the Rapid Action Battalion;
Functions	5 Counter-Terrorism ; Anti-Smuggling Operations ; Enforcement Operations ; Detention Operations ; Tax Collection;
Facilities
Battalions	15
Armored vehicles	Otokar Cobra, IAG Guardian, STREIT Typhoon
Helicopters	Bell 407
Website
	Official website
	Service uniform: Black ; Combat uniform: Black

The Rapid Action Battalion (Bengali: র‍্যাপিড অ্যাকশন ব্যাটালিয়ন, romanised: Ryaepid Ækśon Byāṭāliẏan; abbreviated as RAB) is an elite law enforcement force in Bangladesh tasked with combating serious crimes, terrorism, and organised criminal activities. Operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, RAB is a composite force comprising personnel from the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, BGB, and Ansar. Since its establishment in 2004, RAB has played a key role in counter-terrorism, anti-drug operations, and high-profile criminal investigations.

The Rapid Action Battalion has faced criticism from human rights groups for their use of extrajudicial killings and alleged involvement in enforced disappearances. It is estimated that between 2004 and 2008, RAB had killed 1,062 people.