The BGB is entrusted with the responsibility to defend the 4,427 kilometres (2,751 mi) border of Bangladesh with India and Myanmar.

[6] During peacetime, this force is also responsible for anti-smuggling operations,[7] investigating cross border crime and extending governmental authority to remote and isolated areas.

From 1891 till 1920, the Frontier Guards were re-organized, equipped with modern weapons and renamed once again as the "Bengal Military Police".

[11][12] Commanded by a Subedar (Senior Warrant Officer), the BMP had four companies located in Dhaka, Dhumka and Gangtok.

[15][16][17] Their primary role was internal security, including assisting the police in maintaining law and order during emergencies.

At this point anti-smuggling and border protection were formally added to their duties alongside internal security.

[17] That same year Major Tufail Mohammad of the EPR died in a border skirmish with Indian forces.

[20] During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the EPR fought Indian forces successfully at Asalong, Mouja in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The East Pakistan Rifles were the border security and anti-smuggling force stationed in what was to become independent Bangladesh.

The 16–19 April fighting took place around the village of Padua (known as Pyrdiwah in India), which adjoins the Indian state of Meghalaya and the Timbil area of the Bangladesh border in the Sylhet district.

The soldiers mutinied due to reasons which largely remain unknown, though resentment at officers being seconded from Bangladesh army and allegations of corruption are believed to have been among the causes.

[40][41][42][43] After 30 hours, being surrounded by Bangladesh Army tanks, the mutineers surrendered with about 6,000 of them taken under arrest, ending the mutiny.

[46] It was officially renamed as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on 23 January 2011 and reorganised with fresh recruits, also formed their own intelligence unit.

[47] The Border Guard Bangladesh Act, 2010 increased the maximum punishment for mutiny from 7 years in jail to the death penalty.

[2] The 2020 edition of The Military Balance put the force's personnel strength at 38,000, organized in 54 battalions and one riverine company.

Both sides deescalated and agreed to a cease fire and on the following day Myanmar returned the dead body of BGB Corporal Mizanur Rahman.

[49][50] On 26 August 2015, the Arakan Army, a separatist group in Myanmar, attacked a BGB patrol in Boro Modak, Thanchi, Bandarban.

[53] On 6 February 2017, BGB protested with their counterparts in Myanmar Border Guard Police, after they shot and killed a Bangladeshi fisherman in the Naf River.

[55] BGB and Myanmar Police Force came to an agreement on 6 April 2017 to remove mines from the border area.

[57] The then-East Pakistan Rifles joined the Bangladesh War of Independence on the side of Mukti Bahini in 1971.

One hundred and forty one members earned gallantry awards for their outstanding contribution to the liberation war of Bangladesh.

However one-third of company commanders are promotee BGB officers holding the rank of assistant director (captain equivalent).

The subedar-major (lieutenant equivalent) similarly fills the billets of battalion subedar major (ceremonial post) and head Instructors in training establishments and depots.

A BGB personnel is not eligible to lead sections, platoons and companies or hold posts of second-in-command if they are over 40 years of age and those in such positions receive additional 'command allowance'.

Eight new battalions will be formed at Jhikargacha of Jessore, Meherpur, Khagrachari, Boro Mowdok of Bandarban, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Kulaura.

The force will work to supply modern arms and ammunition swiftly to border points in case of any emergency.

In BGB day 2017, prime minister said that the government has undertaken a plan to construct a total of 3,167 km ring road across the borders with India and Myanmar.

BGB plans to achieve 3I (Information, Identification, Intervention) capabilities in the border in long term.