General (Retd.)
Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq
আবু বেলাল মোঃ শফিউল হক
Haque in February 2017
16th Chief of Army Staff
In office
25 June 2015 – 25 June 2018
PresidentAbdul Hamid
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byGeneral Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan
Succeeded byGeneral Aziz Ahmed
12th Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division
In office
1 January 2013 – 24 June 2015
President
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byAbdul Wadud
Succeeded byMd Mainul Islam
Personal details
Born (1958-12-01) 1 December 1958
Noakhali, East Pakistan, Pakistan (now, Chittagong, Bangladesh)
Alma mater
AwardsSword of Honour (BMA)
Oshamanno Sheba Padak(OSP)
Independence Day Award
Military service
Allegiance Bangladesh
Branch/service Bangladesh Army
Years of service1978 – 2018
Rank General
UnitArmoured Corps
Commands
Battles/warsUNIIMOG
UNMEE

General (Retd.) Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Haq (born 1 December 1958) is a retired four star general of the Bangladesh Army. He was the chief of army staff of the Bangladesh Army from 25 June 2015 to 25 June 2018.[1] Before becoming the army head, he served as the principal staff officer of Prime Minister's Office of the Armed Forces Division.[2] He has also served as an aide-de-camp to the president of Bangladesh.[3] He was commissioned into the Armoured corps of the Bangladesh Army from 6th SSC (Short Service Commission) in June 1978.[4]

Early life

Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq was born on 1 December 1958 in Noakhali, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).[5] He passed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from Dinajpur Zilla School in 1972. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dhaka University, master's degree in defense studies from National University Bangladesh, and master's degree in philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals. His brother Annisul Huq was elected Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation in April 2015.[6]

Military career

ABM Huq received formal education from Dhaka University and afterward joined Bangladesh Military Academy on 22 July, 1977. After completion of training, he was commissioned in Bengal Lancers on 18 June 1978 from 6th SSC (Short Service Commission). He was adjudged as the best all-round cadet of his batch and was awarded Sword of Honor (an award given to the best meritorious cadet in Bangladeshi military forces). In a distinguished career spanning 40 years, Huq has held a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments. As a staff, he served as the aide-de-camp (ADC) to the president of Bangladesh, brigade major (BM) of an infantry brigade and colonel staff of an infantry division. He commanded two tank units, three brigades (one armored and two infantry) and two divisions (19th and 33rd). He also served as military secretary and adjutant general of the army.[7]

UN missions

From 1988 to 1989, Shafiul Huq served as a military observer with the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). Huq was appointed deputy force commander and chief military observer of UNMEE on 4 January 2007.

Personal life

Huq is married to Shoma Huq. They have a son named Marzuq, and a daughter.[8] Anisul Huq, the first mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation is his elder brother.[9] His father Shariful Huq was the former director of Bangladesh Ansar and took retirement in 1982.

Retirement

He retired from the army with effect from 25 June 2018.[1]

Honours
Uttoron Padak Medal Independence Day Award Medal Cyclone Relief of 1991 Medal 1991 National Election Medal
1996 National Election Medal 2001 National Election Medal Silver Jubilee Medal 27 years service
20 years service 10 years service UNIIMOG Medal UNMEE Medal

References

  1. 1 2 "Lt Gen Aziz Ahmed takes charge as Army chief". The Independent. Dhaka. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq made army chief". New Age. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, ndc, psc". afd.gov.bd. Armed Forces Division. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Brigadier General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq". United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Chief of Army Staff". Bangladesh Army. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Lt Gen Abu Belal Shafiul Huq new army chief". daily-industry.com. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, ndc, psc". afd.gov.bd. Armed Forces Division. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Lt Gen Belal new Army Chief". The New Nation. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "Mayor Annisul Huq loses battle, dies in London hospital". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
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