CTTC, ATU renamed as Special Security Unit

The government has finalized the decision to rename the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit and the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) as the Special Security Unit (SSU).

The decision was announced in a press release on Tuesday (July 7).

According to the statement, the newly named SSU will be responsible for tackling extremism and transnational crime.

Police Headquarters said the name “Special Security Unit” is internationally recognized, which will help strengthen cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies. It is also expected to improve coordination with other domestic security agencies.

Earlier, on June 7, Police Headquarters sent a proposal to the Home Ministry seeking approval to rename the ATU as the Special Security Unit (SSU). The following day, on June 8, a separate letter was sent to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner directing the necessary steps to rename CTTC as Special Security Unit-DMP (SSU-DMP).

The Anti-Terrorism Unit was established following the 2016 militant attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka. It was officially launched on December 7, 2017, and has since been conducting counterterrorism and anti-militancy operations across the country.