No SSF Protection Provided: Strict Three-Tier Security for Tarique Rahman’s Return

Law enforcement agencies have finalized an extensive security framework for the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman tomorrow, December 25.

While official sources confirm he will not receive Special Security Force (SSF) protection—as that is reserved for the President, Prime Minister, and Chief Adviser—the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has implemented a robust "covert and overt" strategy.

The Three-Zone Security Plan To manage the expected influx of millions of supporters, authorities have divided the security perimeter into three distinct zones: Red Zone: Highly restricted area requiring a special security card for entry.

Yellow Zone: Intermediate restricted area also requiring specific cardholder access.

White Zone: Open to the general public under police surveillance.

Approximately 2,000 personnel from the police and various intelligence agencies will be deployed. DMP Additional Commissioner SN Nazrul Islam confirmed that both uniformed officers and a significant number of plainclothes agents will be on duty.

The security net covers Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the route to Evercare Hospital, and the sensitive residential and office areas of Gulshan.

Since the residences of Tarique Rahman and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia are adjacent, the entire Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara corridor has been under special surveillance since midnight. The number of active checkpoints in these areas has been increased from the standard nine to a much higher density to ensure a secure transition from the airport to his residence.

As of this evening, the DMP has begun distributing the designated security cards to authorized BNP officials and essential personnel allowed within the Red Zone.

Field-level officers have been instructed to treat the route between the airport and Gulshan as a "highly sensitive" corridor, with additional mobile strike teams placed on standby to manage potential crowd congestion or security breaches during the motorcade’s movement.