Jihadi terrorist groups likely to become active due to instability in Bangladesh

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – After overthrowing former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Government, there is a growing possibility of Jihadi terrorist groups getting free rein in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina had good relations with India, which led to curbing terrorist groups during her tenure. However, it is now believed that these groups have become active again following the fall of Hasina’s Government. There is also speculation that these same groups might be behind the recent violence in the country.

1. It has also been reported that Lashkar-e-Taiba, a jihadi terrorist organisation in Pakistan, has collaborated with the Bangladeshi terrorist group Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) to carry out terrorist activities in the northeastern states of India.

2. It is also emerging that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI played a significant role in the attempt to oust Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh. It is claimed that the ISI had direct contact with ABT, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other organisations.

3. Lashkar-e-Taiba and ABT established a base in Bangladesh in 2022 to carry out operations in India. In 2022, Hindu-majority areas of Tripura were targeted after reports of a mosque being vandalised. In the same year, there were also reports that 50 to 100 terrorists of the ABT organisation were trying to infiltrate into Tripura. Some members of ABT, who were found to be active in Assam too, were arrested.

Jihadi terrorist groups active in Bangladesh

1. Ansarullah Bangla Team

2. Ansar al-Islam

3. Lashkar-e-Taiba

4.Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh

5. Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh

6. Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh

7. Purbo Banglar Communist Party

8. Islami Chhatra Shibir

9. Islamic State

Editorial Perspective

Islamic country and Jihadi terrorist organisations can never be separated. Even if they don’t appear to be connected on the surface, the truth is that they assist each other from within !