Banned militant groups in the country are showing renewed signs of activity, with members attempting to reorganise and expand their networks through both online and offline platforms, according to law enforcement officials.
The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police says it has identified several covert operations linked to extremist groups. At least five individuals have recently been arrested in connection with these activities.
Among them is a 16-year-old suspect accused of playing a key role in online radicalisation. Investigators say he used social media platforms to promote the ideology of the so-called Islamic State (IS), recruit new members, and distribute materials including bomb-making manuals in PDF format. He is also alleged to have incited attacks on Shia mosques, police checkpoints and ISKCON temples through close associates.
Following his arrest, CTTC officials say they uncovered further details about a wider militant network. Some of the group’s plans appear to mirror patterns seen in several recent incidents across the country.
Authorities believe that the release of individuals previously detained on suspicion of militancy during the interim government period may have emboldened extremist elements. Some reportedly reappeared at public gatherings, creating opportunities to regroup.
Deputy commissioner Ilias Kabir of the CTTC Investigation Division said tracking militant networks requires sustained effort. “It often takes two to three months to apprehend one individual. Each arrest leads to another link. They operate with a high level of secrecy,” he said, adding that investigations into several suspects are ongoing.
Despite these developments, there are conflicting positions within the security establishment. While CTTC officials point to evidence of renewed militant activity, the head of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) has publicly denied the presence of organised militancy in the country.
Security analysts warn that such contradictions could prove risky. They note that in the past, similar claims of complacency allowed militant groups to resurface. Analysts also argue that counter-terrorism capacity has weakened due to the absence of previously trained personnel, creating gaps that fugitive members of banned organisations may now be exploiting.
A series of recent incidents has raised further concern. These include explosions in Keraniganj, Chapainawabganj and Shariatpur, the discovery of a bomb in a schoolbag in Faridpur, a knife attack on a police officer at a checkpoint in Jatrabari, and a mysterious blast in Mohammadpur. Investigators say the pattern of these incidents suggests possible militant links, although some cases remain under investigation.
Regional concerns and cross-border links
Regional developments have added to the concerns. Indian authorities recently claimed to have arrested a suspected member of Lashkar-e-Taiba near Delhi. The individual, identified as Shabbir Ahmad Lone, was allegedly planning a major act of sabotage under the direction of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, after travelling from Bangladesh.
According to Indian investigators, the network spans Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, with a cross-border financing system supporting its operations.
ANM Muniruzzaman, a retired major general and president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, said militancy has not been fully eradicated. “The situation remained subdued for the past two to four years, but the counter-terrorism structure weakened after August 2024. Trained personnel are no longer in place, and militants are exploiting this gap,” he said.
He warned that regional developments, including reported militant activity in India, increase the risk for Bangladesh due to cross-border coordination among extremist groups.
In contrast, ATU chief Md Rezaul Karim rejected claims of militant resurgence. He attributed recent explosions in several districts to local disputes and accidental blasts during bomb-making, rather than organised extremist activity. He also said Bangladeshi authorities had not been contacted regarding the Delhi arrest.
Details of recent arrests
On 2 April, CTTC officers detained the teenage suspect in Habiganj. He was found to have links with previously arrested individuals, including Ahsan Zahir Khan, Daniel Islam Hasan, and Russell, also known as Palash.
Earlier, on 31 January, CTTC arrested Ahsan Zahir Khan, aged 50, from Zia Udyan in Dhaka. Authorities identified him as a member of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). He is facing charges under anti-terrorism laws in Mymensingh.
CTTC chief Md Masud Karim said the detained minor has been sent to a juvenile correction facility following court procedures. “We are verifying the information obtained during interrogation. Intelligence operations are ongoing to prevent any resurgence,” he said.
Officials say militants increasingly use encrypted communication platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Telegram under pseudonyms to maintain contact and coordinate activities.
Catalogue of recent incidents
In Faridpur, police recovered a remote-controlled explosive device hidden inside a schoolbag on a bridge in January. The bomb was later safely detonated in a controlled operation.
In Jatrabari, a police officer was stabbed in February while attempting to search a suspicious bag at a checkpoint. The attackers fled, leaving behind a bag reportedly containing explosives.
In Chapainawabganj, two men were killed in February when a bomb exploded during assembly. Several others were injured, and multiple suspects were arrested.
In Shariatpur, an explosion in January destroyed a house, killing one man and seriously injuring two others.
In Keraniganj, a blast at a madrasa in December 2025 injured four people, including women and children. Investigators recovered materials used in making explosives from the site.
In Mohammadpur, a blast near the residence of a controversial cleric in December remains unresolved.
In Jessore, security forces recovered firearms, ammunition and grenade-like devices from a house during a joint operation. The items were later destroyed by army bomb disposal teams.
