Despite glaring evidence of several young Bangladeshi individuals getting involved in militant activities, counterterrorism efforts in the country have all but stagnated.
Among those killed in Pakistan’s recent operations against Taliban militants, there were several Bangladeshis. While in Malaysia, 36 Bangladeshis are facing trial on charges of terrorism.
These two incidents clearly indicate that local and regional militant groups are operating amid a slack activity of law-enforcement agencies in the country.
Some police officials say the Pakistani militant groups are recruiting new members. Though only the names of five such fugitive militants are known – no concrete details have been made available about them.
Additionally, 53 militants who escaped from prisons are still at large, and over 300 individuals, previously jailed on terrorism charges, have been released on bail. Despite these developments, there has been a lack of surveillance over the nine banned militant outfits’ activities.
Both the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC), which are equipped with significant manpower and technology, appear to have no up-to-date information on local and international terrorist activities.
These specialised police units, which were formed to combat terrorism, are mostly focused on tackling youth gangs and other criminal activities.
Significant gaps in intelligence
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has assured that law enforcement agencies are monitoring individuals attempting to join the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
However, analysts suggest that due to significant gaps in intelligence operations, militants are exploiting the situation.
Security analyst Air Commodore (retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury pointed out that several Bangladeshis killed in recent operations against TTP in Pakistan confirm the presence of jihadist ideologies within Bangladesh.
Choudhury emphasised that while multiple individuals have been identified as casualties, the total number of Bangladeshis who joined the TTP and their method of travel to Pakistan needs to be closely investigated.
He also stressed the need for urgent steps against fugitive militants and those released on bail. “There is a growing need for more robust intelligence efforts to combat extremism. Specialised units for counterterrorism are crucial to the country’s security.” Ishfaq said.
Signs of militant activity
A case filed by the ATU with Savar Police Station on 5 July, named Al Imran – alias Engineer Imran Haider – as a key figure in organising TTP activities in Bangladesh. Imran was actively involved in recruiting members, promoting Jihadist ideologies, and encouraging terrorism.
Alongside him, several other individuals, including Rezaul Karim Abrar, Asif Adnan, Zakariya Masud, and Mohammad Sanaf Hasan, are suspected of assisting in the recruitment process through online platforms. However, their identities remain unknown.
In a recent counterterrorism operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 17 TTP members were killed, including a Bangladeshi, Faisal, from Madaripur.
Previously, in April, another Bangladeshi, Ahmed Zubair, was killed in a similar operation in North Waziristan. He was from Badda Bhatpara area of Savar.
Regarding these cases, IGP Baharul Alam told TIMES of Bangladesh that three months ago, one individual was arrested in Savar for attempting to join the TTP. Investigations are underway to determine if any other individuals were involved.
According to the detained individual, he went to Pakistan after performing Umrah, where a friend persuaded him to join the conflict. However, he returned to Bangladesh without engaging in any combat.
The IGP also mentioned that they had received reports of Faisal’s death in Pakistan. Additionally, they are investigating the death of another individual from Bangladesh who was reportedly operating drones for the TTP. His identity is yet to be confirmed.
According to information from a Pakistani intelligence agency, two Bangladeshis – Faisal from Bhagalpur and Shamin Mahfuz from Narayanganj – were arrested in July in connection with suspected TTP involvement, ATU sources say.
Besides, an investigation conducted by ATU Inspector Abdul Mannan revealed that several individuals had left Bangladesh in October 2024, with plans to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. However, they later made their way to Pakistan, where they joined the TTP.
Faisal was later killed during an operation in North Waziristan.
300 suspects, convicts released on bail
Prison authorities revealed that since 5 August 2024, over 300 detainees have been released on bail, many of whom faced charges related to terrorism. Among the 99 militants who escaped from prison, 46 have been recaptured, but 53 remain at large.
In Malaysia, between April and June, 36 Bangladeshi expatriates were arrested for alleged involvement in a terrorist network, promoting ideologies similar to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). They are accused of forming recruitment cells within their communities.
‘No room for complacency’
Ashraful Huda, who served as the IGP from 2004 to 2005, stated, “We cannot say for certain that terrorism has been uprooted from the country. So, there is no room for complacency.
“Terrorism can rear its ugly head again at any time. Gaps in intelligence were responsible for previous major terrorist attacks in Bangladesh, such as the 21 August grenade attack, Ramna Batamul, and the Udichi bombing.”
Ashraful stressed the need for enhanced training for intelligence agency operatives, and better coordination among all agencies involved in counterterrorism efforts.
A look at CTTC and ATU
CTTC was established in August 2011 after the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended the formation of a specialised anti-terrorism unit within the Bangladesh Police.
Following a significant rise in terrorist activities, this unit became operational in February 2016, with a dedicated 600-personnel team. It is tasked with counterterrorism investigations, cyber security, and dealing with transnational crimes.
After its establishment, CTTC has led several counterterrorism operations, including high-profile raids at Kalyanpur and Gulshan. However, the unit’s operations have been criticised, with some claiming that certain raids were staged.
When contacted for comment on the CTTC’s operations, the unit’s head, Deputy Inspector General Mohammad Masud Karim, declined to comment. “Reach out to ATU for information,” he suggested.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali noted that once militants escape from prison or are released on bail, apprehending them again becomes even more difficult. These individuals often do not appear for court hearings.
CTTC is working on tracking them down and also assisting other law enforcement efforts.
Meanwhile, in September 2017, Bangladesh formed ATU in response to rising number of militant attacks in various regions.
With a dedicated workforce, including senior officers and investigators, the ATU focuses on counterterrorism activities, including crisis response, bomb investigation, and surveillance. It is headquartered in the city’s Baridhara area.
Despite several successful operations, the ATU has also faced criticism regarding some controversial raids.
Inspector Aminul Islam, ATU’s Operational Wing officer, reported that no further identification has been made of five other individuals named by Faisal during the investigation.
ATU chief Additional IGP Mohammad Rezaul Karim, emphasised that there is an apparent pause in militant activities in Bangladesh, but no one can guarantee that they have been permanently eradicated.
“So, the unit must remain vigilant and further strengthen its capacity,” he concluded.
