33rd Infantry Division (Bangladesh)

33rd Infantry Division
Insignia of 33rd Infantry Division
Active	December 1976 - present
Country	Bangladesh
Branch	Bangladesh Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Comilla Cantonment
Commanders
Current commander	Major General Mohammad Tariq
Notable commanders	Major General Anwar Hussain Major General Aziz Ahmed Major General Abdul Hafiz

The 33rd Infantry Division (Bengali : ৩৩ পদাতিক ডিভিশন) is a formation of the Bangladesh Army based in Comilla Cantonment. It is one of first six military division of Bangladesh established within first decade of its Independence.

History

After Bangladesh War of Independence, Colonel Ziaur Rahman organized personnel from Z force of the recent Bangladesh army and established the 44th Independent Infantry Brigade at Cumilla Cantonment. It was one of first five brigades of Bangladesh army. The 101st Infantry Brigade was formed in December 1976 and consigned with the existing 44th Infantry Brigade to newly 33rd Infantry Division. The 33rd Artillery Brigade was enlisted on 1979 under command of Colonel A. B. M. Elias. ^[1] An Indian news magazine described it as "one of the best natural fortifications" in Bengal because "the greater part of its installation is tunnelled into the hill and is impervious to aerial bombing". ^[2] There are 6 districts of Bangladesh under this division. During wartime, these districts will fight under the 33rd Infantry Division: 1/Comilla 2/Brahmanbaria 3/Noakhali 4/Lakshipur 5/Feni 6/Chandpur

Formation

Under the division, there are two infantry brigades, one artillery brigade and one armoured regiment.^{[ citation needed ]}

Combat Arms

• Cavalry
  • 6th Cavalry Regiment
• Regiment of Artillery
  • 33rd Artillery Brigade
• Infantry
  • 17th Bangladesh Infantry Regiment
  • 44th Infantry Brigade
  • 101st Infantry Brigade

Combat support

• Engineer
  • 2nd Engineers Battalion
• Signals
  • 5th Signals Coy Battalion

Service

• 88th Central Ordnance Depot
• 67th EME Workshop
• 33rd Military Police Unit

References

1. "Brig Gen Elias passes away". The New Nation. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
2. "From Assam : Successful Air Strikes". Link. Vol. 14, no. 18. 12 December 1971. p. 26. ISSN   0459-469X.