Photo: PMO

DHAKA, July 23, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and outgoing Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan today conferred the rank badge of Vice Admiral on newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim.

The rank badge was formally conferred at a ceremony at the Prime Minister's Armed Forces Division office in the Dhaka Cantonment here this morning, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

He said the premier congratulated the newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff on the occasion while Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy.

Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Quartermaster General of the Army Lieutenant General Md Shahinur Rahman, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman, Prime Minister's Military Secretary Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq and Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were present at the function.

Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim joined the Bangladesh Navy on January 1, 1987, and was commissioned in the Executive Branch in 1989.

He completed his initial naval training with distinction in the Royal Malaysian Navy. Alongside advanced academic and military training at home and abroad, he earned a PhD in Maritime Governance.

During his nearly four-decade-long distinguished career, Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim served with professionalism and excellence in a wide range of command, staff, and training appointments within the Bangladesh Navy.

He previously served as Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander Dhaka Naval Area, Commander Submarines, and Commandant of the Bangladesh Naval Academy.

He also served as Director of Naval Operations and Director of Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters, in addition to commanding several warships and naval bases.

Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim served in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Most recently, he served as Bangladesh's Ambassador to Oman, where he played an important role in strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Oman and promoting the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions during his nearly 40 years of service, he has been awarded the Nau Bahini Padak (NBP), Nau Parodorshita Padak (NPP), the National Integrity Award, and several other honours.