Govt promotes Shaheen Iqbal as new Navy chief

The government has appointed Mohammed Shaheen Iqbal as the chief of Bangladesh Navy by promoting him to the rank of vice-admiral from rear admiral.

His appointment will be effective for three years from Jul 25, the government said in a notice on Saturday.

Iqbal is succeeding Admiral AMMM Aurangzeb Chowdhury.

The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate confirmed the matter today.

Rear Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal joined the Bangladesh Navy as an officer cadet in 1980. He worked his way through the Bangladesh Naval Academy and was commissioned in the Executive Branch on 01 December 1982.

During his service career, Shaheen attended various courses at home and abroad. He did specialization on "Anti Submarine Warfare" from India. He successfully completed "Officers' Weapon Course" in SI&T, Sylhet and "International Surface Warfare Course" in USA, according to the Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD).

He is a graduate of "Naval Staff College" in USA. Later on, Rear Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal completed "Armed Forces War Course" (AFWC) in 2005 and "National Defence Course" (NDC) in 2010 respectively from National Defence College, Mirpur, Dhaka.

He also successfully completed "Combined Force Maritime Component Commander Flag Officers Course" (CFMCC) at Hawaii in USA in 2015.

He received commendation from Chief of Naval Staff for outstanding performance in professional courses.

The new chief was appointed in many staff appointments. He served as Director of Naval Intelligence, Director of Naval Operations and Staff Officer Intelligence at Naval Headquarters.

He also served as Staff Officer Operations of Commodore Commanding BN Flotilla.

Rear Admiral Shaheen Iqbal was a proud "Blue Flag" bearer as a member of UN Guard Contingent in Iraq from 15 November 1997 to 09 February 1999.