The Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, has dismissed allegations against army officers as baseless and driven by ulterior motives. He referenced a similar incident in 2013 that aimed to tarnish the military's reputation. During a press briefing, he criticized the publication of the report, suggesting it was issued with malicious intent. General Shafiuddin emphasized the significance of hosting the 12th Annual General Meeting and Workshop of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers (AAPTC) in Bangladesh for the first time. He praised the professionalism and success of the Bangladesh Armed Forces in UN peacekeeping missions and questioned if there has ever been an accusation of human rights violation. The AAPTC serves as a platform for policymakers, researchers, peacekeepers, trainers, and other stakeholders involved in peacekeeping operations. The objectives of this year's AAPTC meeting were to assess the evolving security landscape and outline future training frameworks to address emerging challenges. General Shafiuddin also declared that the Bangladesh Army has transformed into a smart force, highlighting the army's modernization efforts and technological advancements. He made this statement while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 in Singapore. [50ee3f80] [87204494]