Dhaka: Rapid Action Battalion has won public confidence within a short period and it will continue its devotion in public services and uphold its aim to establish a safe society free from militancy and criminal activities, said RAB director general Benazir Ahmed.

‘The elite force will be equipped with high technology to combat crimes effectively in the days to come,’ he said at a press briefing held at RAB Headquarters in Dhaka, marking the 11th anniversary of elite the force.

The day’s programme started with hoisting national and the force’s flag about 8:00am.

The elite crime busting force stepped into its 12th year journey on Thursday.

With a view to fighting crimes, the RAB was formed on March 26 in 2004 and it started operation on July 21 in the same year.

The security force came to the limelight when it arrested Pichchi Hannan, one of the 23 most-wanted criminals, on 26 June 2004.

The RAB nabbed several hundreds of Islamic militants, including the leaders of the banned outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)- Shaikh Abdur Rahman, Siddiqur Rahman alias Bangla Bhai, Abdul Awal, Ataur Rahman Sunny- and Harkatul Jihad chief Mufti Abdul Hannan.

It is mentionable that Colonel Gulzaruddin Ahmed, who had great contribution to detecting the militants’ hideouts and arresting them, was killed in Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) carnage at Pilkhana on 25 February 2009. Some other members of the force also sacrificed their lives while fighting criminals.

Deputy assistant director Humayun Kabir and Constable Phul Miah of Rab-11 were killed in a shootout with the criminals at a brickfield at Salehpur in Savar on 3 March 2007.