On November 4, 2026, the closing ceremony for the ‘Upazila Ansar Advanced Training-1’ program of the Bangladesh Ansar & Village Defense Party (VDP) was held at the Patuakhali District Shilpakala Academy auditorium. The training was conducted in alignment with the ‘People’s Warfare Doctrine’ envisioned by the late President Ziaur Rahman. Speaking as the chief guest, the Director General of the force, Major General Abdul Motalab Sajjad Mahmud, provided key directives to the trainees. He emphasized several areas, including increasing public engagement in national security and civil defense, fostering inter-agency coordination, enhancing professional skills, creating employment opportunities, and advancing the modernization and digital transformation of the force.

During the event, a documentary video showcasing the training activities was screened. The Director General presented a crest to the top-performing trainee, while other participants received digital certificates and Ansar Bank share certificates. In his address, the Director General stated that, guided by the philosophy of civil defense introduced by the late President Ziaur Rahman, initiatives are underway to more effectively integrate the 60 lakh members of the Bangladesh Ansar & VDP into national security, disaster response, and public service efforts. As part of the reform initiatives following the 2024 mass uprising, special emphasis is being placed on the values of patriotism, discipline, volunteerism, and self-sacrifice.

To this end, efforts are ongoing to build a conscious, responsible, and capable public security framework by involving not only the members of the force but also their families and the local community. He further noted that, alongside enhancing the force’s operational capacity for national security and disaster response, efforts are being made to strengthen joint training and inter-agency coordination with other law enforcement and security organizations. In addition to ongoing joint training with the Bangladesh Army, training initiatives with the Bangladesh Navy have also been launched for the first time.

He highlighted that, under the guidance of the Honorable Adviser for Defense Affairs and with the support of the Armed Forces Division, there are plans to gradually expand this initiative to other regions of the country, including the coastal districts. In the future, through coordination with the Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Fire Service, and other relevant agencies, the force aims to further enhance its rapid-response capabilities. This will be achieved by providing standardized, phased training to its vast network of grassroots volunteers—strengthening coastal security, ensuring the protection of fishermen and fishing vessels, conducting rescue operations, and improving readiness for disasters and other special circumstances.

Addressing the development of skilled human resources and the creation of employment opportunities—integral components of this specialized security training—the Director General stated that Ansar-VDP members are being equipped with technical and language skills to prepare them for both domestic and international labor markets. Initiatives have been launched to facilitate employment in Japan and Europe, including Japanese language training and partnerships with Prantik Shakti Limited. Furthermore, the organization is fostering entrepreneurship and enhancing the financial capacity of its members through the Ansar-VDP Development Bank and the ‘Sanjibon’ project.

The Director General noted that, as part of the force’s modernization and digital transformation, several systems have been implemented, including an integrated member database, QR-code-based digital training certificates, digital monitoring, a field-level digital facial attendance system, and a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) framework. Additionally, the force’s volunteer network is actively engaged in initiatives such as tree plantation, the ‘Clean Bangladesh’ campaign, social awareness programs, and various other public welfare activities. The event was also attended by guests from the Bangladesh Army, the Navy, and various local government departments, alongside other officers and members of the force.