Director General of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP), Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, on Thursday visited the Bangladesh Army's Summer Exercise-2026 at Rajendrapur in Gazipur, where Ansar-VDP volunteers are participating for the first time.
The 10-day military exercise, which began on July 5 and will continue until July 14 across all army divisions, aims to strengthen national defence capabilities, enhance inter-force coordination, and promote a people-based defence system.
This year's exercise marks a significant milestone for the Ansar-VDP, as volunteer members of its Upazila and Thana Sanjiban Ansar Platoons have been included in the Army's annual exercise for the first time in the force's history.
During the visit, the Director General exchanged views with Bangladesh Army personnel and participating Ansar-VDP members. He observed various operational activities and received briefings from Army officials on the exercise's objectives, strategic planning, overall progress, and the preparedness of participating personnel.
Expressing satisfaction with the exercise, Major General Mahmud said such joint drills would further strengthen national security, improve operational readiness, and enhance coordination and mutual trust among the country's security forces.
Before joining the exercise, the Ansar members underwent a three-day On-the-Job Training (OJT) on conventional and unconventional warfare. The training included practical exercises on raids, ambushes, establishing firm bases, and other minor military operations to prepare them for field deployment.
According to Ansar-VDP, the initiative reflects the concept of public participation in national defence under the People's Warfare Doctrine introduced by late President Ziaur Rahman. The force said the Sanjiban Ansar Platoons have recently been reorganised and strengthened to improve their operational capabilities and contribution to the country's integrated defence framework.
Director of Dhaka Metropolitan Ansar (DMA) Asaduzzaman Gani and other senior officials of the force were also present during the inspection.
