Awards and decorations of the Bangladesh Armed Forces

The Bangladesh Armed Forces award medals and their associated ribbon bars in recognition of various levels of service, personal accomplishments and commemorative events while a regular serviceperson is a member of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and the Bangladesh Air Force. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a serviceperson's career.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Medals of the Bangladesh military

Military medals

Decorations in the order of precedence:

Wartime gallantry awards

	Bir Sreshtho (BS) (Bravery Medal)
	Bir Uttom (BU) (Valour Medal)
	Bir Bikrom (BB) (Gallant Medal)
	Bir Protik (BP) (Gallantry Medal)

Peacetime gallantry awards

Name	Image	Description
Bir Sorbottam		Bir Sorbottam- (Bengali: বীর সর্বোত্তম; literally, "The Foremost Braves"), the highest gallantry award^[6]
Bir Mrittunjoee		Bir Mrittunjoee- (Bengali: বীর মৃত্যুঞ্জয়ী; literally, "The Immortal Braves"), the second highest gallantry award^[6]
Bir Chiranjib		Bir Chiranjib- (Bengali: বীর চিরঞ্জীব; literally, " The Incorruptible Braves"), the third highest gallantry award^[6]
Bir Durjoy		Bir Durjoy- (Bengali: বীর দুর্জয়; literally, "The Indomitable Braves"), the fourth highest gallantry award^[6]

Liberation War medals

Name	Ribbon	Image	Description
Samar Padak			Samar Padak (Bengali: সমর পদক) is intended to be awarded to members of the armed forces participating in the war of liberation against Pakistan.^[6]^[7]
Joy Padak			Joy Padak (Bengali: জয় পদক) is awarded for victory in the 1971 War of Independence. It is intended to be awarded to members of the armed forces participating in the war of liberation against Pakistan members of the armed forces participating in the war of liberation against Pakistan.^[6]^[8]
Rono Taroka			Rono Taroka (Bengali: রণ তারকা) was established on December 15, 1973. The medal is intended for awarding participants in the War of Independence. The Bangladesh War of Independence was an armed conflict between West Pakistan, East Pakistan (i.e., between Pakistan and Bangladesh, which were at that time two parts of the same country) and India, as a result of which East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh.^[6]^[9]
Mukti Taroka			Mukti Taroka (Bengali: মুক্তি তারকা) was established on December 15, 1973. The medal is intended for awarding participants in the War of Independence. The Bangladesh War of Independence was an armed conflict between West Pakistan, East Pakistan (i.e., between Pakistan and Bangladesh, which were at that time two parts of the same country) and India, as a result of which East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh.^[6]^[10]
Songbidhan Padak			Songbidhan Padak (Bengali: সংবিধান পদক) was established in honor of the adoption of the constitution on November 4, 1972. This is a medal of the constitution. Commemorating the proclamation of the Bangladeshi constitution^[10]^[11]

Service and campaign medals

Army service medals

Name	Ribbon	Image	Description
Army Medal			Army Medal (Bengali: সেনাবাহিনী পদক) is the highest Bangladesh Army peace time award given by the Government of Pepole's Republic of Bangladesh. It is awarded to any member of Bangladesh Army for exemplary devotion/ self-sacrifice/ sincerity/ obedience/ bravery or perform significant dutifulness for the country or displays courgeous activity in special risky land operation.^[12]
Extraordinary Service Medal			Extraordinary Service Medal (Bengali: অসামান্য সেবা পদক) is the Bangladesh Army peace time award. This medal is awarded to any member of Bangladesh Army who displays admiring contribution and daring act of bravery to counter immediate situation at land Operations or exceptional/sincerity efficient management/ humanitarian assistance for the significant development of army or country.^[12]
Distinguished Service Medal			Distinguished Service Medal (Bengali: বিশিষ্ট সেবা পদক) is the Bangladesh Army peace time award. This medal is awarded to any member of Bangladesh Army who have performed an act of significant contribution/ controlling  critical situation in army or the country or who displayed a praiseworthy initiative for the development of nation including Bangladesh Army.^[12]
Army Medal of Glory			Army Medal of Glory (Bengali: সেনা গৌরব পদক) is the Bangladesh Army peace time award. This medal is awarded to any member of Bangladesh Army who have completed mentionable land service and displayed exemplary conduct/ efficiency/ boldness in establishing himself as an extraordinary person to inspire others.^[12]
Army Medal of Excellence			Army Medal of Excellence (Bengali: সেনা উৎকর্ষ পদক) is the Bangladesh Army peace time award. This medal is awarded to any member of Bangladesh Army who have performed an act of significant contribution in risky situation/ praiseworthy initiative in original research/ successful completion of any project work in home and abroad or commendable success which inspire others.^[12]
Army Efficiency Medal			Army Efficiency Medal (Bengali: সেনা পারদর্শিতা পদক) is the Bangladesh Army peace time award. This medal is awarded to any member of Bangladesh Army who has achieved special success in individual arena / significant initiative in publishing successful research work on professional subject, who have also achieved success in home and foreign training / army exercise, combined exercise or contribution in initial planning and execution exercise which encourage others.^[12]

Navy service medals

	Navy Medal
	Extraordinary Service Medal
	Distinguished Service Medal
	Navy Glorious Service Medal
	Navy Medal of Excellence
	Navy Efficiency Medal

Campaign medals

Name	Ribbon	Image	Description
Dabanal Padak			Dabanal Padak (Bengali: দাবানল পদক) is intended to reward servicemen who took part in the campaign in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Chittagong Hill Tracts are a territory in southeastern Bangladesh on the border with India and Myanmar, the only mountainous region in the country.^[6]^[13]
Uttoron Padak			Uttoron Padak (Bengali: উত্তরণ পদক) is intended to reward servicemen who took part in the campaign in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.^[14] The "Operation Dabanal" (Operation Wildfire) was re-established in the name of "Operation Uttoron"^[15] (Operation Upliftment) by which the Bangladesh military^[16] want to solve the CHT crisis militarily through imposing military maneuvers superseding the local civil administration.^[6]^[17]^[18]
Nirapattya Padak			Nirapattya Padak (Bengali: নিরাপত্তা পদক) is awarded for internal security of Bangladesh.^[6]^[19]^[20]
Naf Padak			Naf Padak (Bengali: নাফ পদক) is a military medal of Bangladesh. In 2000, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) between Burmese Security Forces (Nasaka) and the Myanmar Army had a major clash known as the Naf War. Myanmar started building dams on the tributaries of the Naf River, which defines the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. As a result, the course of the river changed and the land of Bangladesh came under the control of Myanmar. After several letters between BDR and Nasaka, they did not stop their work. According to former Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Director General Major General (retd) Fazlur Rahman, 600 Myanmar soldiers were killed in the three-day conflict, although it has not been confirmed. There were no casualties among BDR members. To honor the bravery of BDR members, the participating BDR members were awarded Naf Padak.^[21]^[22]

Service medals

Name	Ribbon	Image	Description
Plaban 1988 Padak			Plaban 1988 Padak (Bengali: প্লাবন ১৯৮৮ পদক) is intended for awarding servicemen who took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the flood of 1988.^[6]^[23]
Ghurnijhar 1991 Padak			Ghurnijhar 1991 Padak (Bengali: ঘূর্ণিঝড় ১৯৯১ পদক) is intended for awarding servicemen who took part in the liquidation of the consequences of cyclone of 1991.^[6]^[24]
Mahaplaban Padak 1996			Mahaplaban Padak 1996 (Bengali: মহাপ্লাবন পদক ১৯৯৬) is intended for awarding servicemen who took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the flood of 1996.^[6]
Mahaplaban Padak 1998			Mahaplaban Padak 1998 (Bengali: মহাপ্লাবন পদক ১৯৮৮) is intended for awarding servicemen who took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the flood of 1998.^[6]
Sangsadia Nirbachan 1991			Sangsadia Nirbachan 1991 (Bengali: সংসদীয় নির্বাচন ১৯৯১) is intended for awarding citizens of the country who took part in the organization of general parliamentary elections. Later, a medal with a similar design was established in 1996 and 2001. General Zia's widow, Khaleda Zia, led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to victory in the 1991 general parliamentary election and became the first female prime minister in the country's history. However, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, one of the surviving daughters of Mujibur Rahman, came to power in the next elections in 1996, but lost again to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 2001.^[6]
Sangsadia Nirbachan 1996			Sangsadia Nirbachan 1996 (Bengali: সংসদীয় নির্বাচন ১৯৯৬) is intended for awarding citizens of the country who took part in the organization of general parliamentary elections.^[6]
Sangsadia Nirbachan 2001			Sangsadia Nirbachan 2001 (Bengali: সংসদীয় নির্বাচন ২০০১) is intended for awarding citizens of the country who took part in the organization of general parliamentary elections.^[6]^[25]
Silver Jubilee Medal			Silver Jubilee Medal (Bengali: রজত জয়ন্তী পদক) was established in 1996 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the proclamation of independence.^[6]
Golden Jubilee Medal			Golden Jubilee Medal (Bengali: সুবর্ণ জয়ন্তী পদক) was established in 1998 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the East Bengal Regiment. At the moment, the East Bengal Regiment consists of 50 battalions and plays a key role in ensuring the sovereignty of the independent state of Bangladesh.^[6]
Bi-Centennial Padak			Bi-Centennial Padak (Bengali: দ্বিশত বর্ষপূর্তি পদক) was established in 1995 in honor of the 200th anniversary of the creation of the Bangladesh Rifles.^[26]

Long service awards

Name	Ribbon	Image	Description
Jesthata Padak III			Jesthata Padak III (Bengali: জ্যেষ্ঠতা পদক ৩) is intended for awarding members of the armed forces for 27 years or more of impeccable service. JP-3 conferrable on completion of 27 yrs unblemished service career^[6]^[27]
Jesthata Padak II			Jesthata Padak II (Bengali: জ্যেষ্ঠতা পদক ২) is intended for awarding members of the armed forces for 20 years or more of impeccable service. JP-2 conferrable on completion of 20 yrs unblemished service career^[6]^[28]
Jesthata Padak I			Jesthata Padak I (Bengali: জ্যেষ্ঠতা পদক ১) is intended for awarding members of the armed forces for 10 years or more of impeccable service. JP-1 conferrable on completion of 10 yrs unblemished service career^[6]^[29]

Border guard medals

The border guard medals are intended for awarding the officers of Border Guard Bangladesh.^[30][31][32]

Name	Image
President Border Guard Padak (Bravery)
President Border Guard Padak (Service)
Border Guard Bangladesh Padak (Bravery)
Border Guard Bangladesh Padak (Service)

Police medals

Name	Ribbon	Image	Description
Police Medal (Bravery)			Police Medal (Bravery) Bengali: {বাংলাদেশ পুলিশ পদক (সাহসিকতা)} is intended for the awarding the officers of Bangladesh Police and Rapid Action Battalion.^[33]^[34]^[35] Police medals are awarded every year in the annual Police Week Parade. They are awarded both for bravery and service.^[36]^[37]^[38]

United Nations Service medals

	United Nations Medal
	United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
	United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
	United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
	United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
	United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
	United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
	United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)
	Service in the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ)
	United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH)
	United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM)
	United Nations Iran–Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG)
	United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG)
	United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II)
	United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS)
	United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
	United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT)
	United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
	United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP)
	United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR)
	United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
	United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)
	United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET)
	United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR)
	United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
	United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT)
	United Nations Guards Contingent in Iraq (UNGCI)

Order of Military Merit

'Order of Military Merit'

Commendation Padak

The Commendation Padak is awarded to all members of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force, who have received the commendation letter.

 

Three CNS Commendation Padak of Bangladesh Navy

Blood Donor Medal

The Blood Donor Medal is awarded to all persons of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force who have donated blood three times.

 

Bangladesh Navy Blood Donor Medal

See also

• Liberation War of Bangladesh
• Bangladeshi honours system
• Awards and decorations of the Bangladesh Liberation War
• Bangladesh Army
• Bangladesh Navy
• Bangladesh Air Force

References

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military awards and decorations of Bangladesh.

1. "ODM of Bangladesh: Ribbon Chart". medals.org.uk.
2. "ODM of Bangladesh: Text List". medals.org.uk.
3. "Orders, Decorations and Medals of Bangladesh". Orders, Decorations and Medals. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
4. . Bangladesh Army. Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
5. . Antonio Prieto Barrio. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
6. Bangladesh Army. "Medal Gallery of Bangladesh Army".
7. "ODM of Bangladesh: War Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
8. "ODM of Bangladesh: Victory Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
9. "ODM of Bangladesh: Campaign Star (Army)". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
10. "ODM of Bangladesh: Campaign Star". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
11. "ODM of Bangladesh: Constitution Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
12. . www.army.mil.bd. 2019-05-11. Archived from the original on 2019-05-11. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
13. "ODM of Bangladesh: Hill Tracts Campaign Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
14. Chakma, Mangal Kumar (2022-07-02). "Can police be deployed in the army-withdrawn camp sites in the CHT?". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
15. "Current Activities | Armed Forces Division(AFD)". afd.gov.bd. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
16. "UNPO: Chittagong Hill Tracts: Squandering the Peace and Human Rights Dividends". unpo.org. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
17. Samad, Saleem (2021-01-11). "Peace remains elusive for hill people in the CHT". শুদ্ধস্বর. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
18. "Militarisation in CHT". Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
19. Border Guard Bangladesh. "Medal Gallery of Border Guard Bangladesh" (PDF).
20. "ODM of Bangladesh: Internal Relief Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
21. Bangladesh Border Guards. "Medal Gallery of Bangladesh Border Guards" (PDF).
22. "নাফ যুদ্ধ", উইকিপিডিয়া (in Bengali), 2022-09-06, retrieved 2022-12-18
23. "ODM of Bangladesh: Flood Relief Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
24. "ODM of Bangladesh: Cyclone Relief Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
25. Bangladesh Border Guards. "Medal Gallery of Bangladesh Border Guards" (PDF).
26. Bangladesh Border Guards. "Medal Gallery of Bangladesh Border Guards" (PDF).
27. "ODM of Bangladesh: 30 Years' Service Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
28. "ODM of Bangladesh: 20 Years' Service Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
29. "ODM of Bangladesh: 10 Years' Service Medal". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
30. Border Guard Bangladesh. "বর্ডার গার্ড পদক- ২০২১" (PDF). www.bgb.gov.bd. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
31. Report, Star Online (2019-07-16). "46 BGB officials awarded". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
32. Nation, The New. "Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan adorning BGB members with medals including Border Guard Bangladesh Medal, President Border Guard Medal and President Border Guard Medal Service for their contributions in Bir Uttam Fazlur Rahman Khondkar Auditorium of BGB Headquarters in the city's Peelkhana on Tuesday". The New Nation. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
33. "Fewer police medals likely this year". The Business Standard. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
34. Report, Star Online (2020-01-05). "Police week inaugurated; 118 get medals". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
35. Express, The Financial. "230 police, RAB members win BPM, PPM awards for outstanding performance". The Financial Express. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
36. "2 RAB officials sanctioned by US get police medals". New Age | The Most Popular Outspoken English Daily in Bangladesh. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
37. "349 police officers to get medals in 4 categories". Dhaka Tribune. 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
38. "7 Chittagong cops to be awarded with BPM, PPM". Dhaka Tribune. 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2022-12-19.