RAB to be renamed as Special Response Battalion (SRB)

The government has taken the initiative to form a specialised unit under the police called the Special Response Battalion (SRB) by abolishing the existing Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). 

To this end the cabinet has given in-principle and final approval to the draft of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026.  

The draft presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs was given final approval in the cabinet meeting on Monday, subject to the vetting of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department.

The decision was taken in the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.  

A press release from the Cabinet Division informed that the proposed law makes provision for establishing the SRB under the police in place of RAB. At the same time provisions have been made for the formation of a multi-party grievance-redressal committee to resolve complaints from citizens and internal disputes between members of the unit.  

The draft calls for the transfer of RAB’s manpower, orders, powers, authority, facilities, funds, property, accounts, records and other related assets to the SRB. 

In addition, the existing departmental rules relating to RAB have been maintained, with necessary adaptations, until the new rules are formulated.  

Government officials say that initiatives have been taken to make the structure and accountability of the specialised law-enforcement unit clearer through the new law.