BGB’s 104th Passing-Out Parade Held as Record 3,023 Recruits Take Oath

The passing-out parade of Border Guard Bangladesh’s (BGB) 104th recruit batch was held on Wednesday in Chattogram.

A record 3,023 recruits—the highest number in the history of the force—took the oath at the Border Guard Training Centre and College (BGTC&C) in Baitul Izzat, Satkania upazila. Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury attended the ceremony as the chief guest, inspecting the parade and greeting the newly inducted soldiers.

Speaking at the event, the Home Adviser said that 37,453 BGB personnel will be deployed during the upcoming national election, while a total of 897,117 members from all security forces will remain on duty to ensure a peaceful and orderly polling process.

Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani, BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, and the commandant of BGTC&C, among others, were present at the ceremony.

The oath-taking and training completion parade officially began in the morning with an armed salute to the chief guest. After receiving the salute, Jahangir Alam delivered an address outlining his directives to the new recruits.

He said the 230-year-old force has evolved into a well-organised, disciplined, smart and professional patriotic institution over time. As the guardian of the borders, he noted, the paramilitary force has earned public trust by efficiently safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and protecting its 4,427-kilometre-long border. He highlighted BGB’s role in preventing smuggling, drug trafficking and human trafficking, combating cross-border crimes, assisting civil administration in maintaining law and order, and responding to disasters.

Addressing the recruits, the adviser said, “Discipline is the ornament of a soldier’s life. A true soldier never retreats from duty. Honesty, intelligence, reliability, loyalty and enthusiasm define the discipline and professionalism of a force.”

He expressed hope that the new soldiers would embody these qualities and uphold the traditions of the BGB. Urging them to be guided by the four core principles—morale, brotherhood, discipline and skill—he called on the recruits to remain ever vigilant in fulfilling their responsibility to protect the country’s sovereignty and integrity.

Praising the parade performance, Jahangir Alam welcomed the recruits as they embarked on their professional journey and wished them continued success in their careers.

He also congratulated recruit Al Imran for securing first place as the best overall performer of the 104th batch. Shapikul Islam and Lubna Khatun were recognised for excellence in physical fitness, while Shafiqur Rahman Tamim and Nahida Akhtar received awards as the best firers.

The Home Adviser noted that BGTC&C has been training BGB recruits for the past 44 years and has successfully trained 72 batches since independence. Despite having a capacity of 700 to 1,000 trainees, the institution provided basic training to 3,023 recruits—2,950 men and 73 women—in the 104th batch, creating a milestone in Bangladesh’s history.

He wished Border Guard Bangladesh continued progress and extended his best wishes to the newly inducted soldiers.

The ceremony concluded with an armed salute to the chief guest, followed by a disciplined drill display by the recruits and a melodious performance by the BGB band.