Jasimuddin Rahmani’s Return: A Clear And Present Danger to Bangladesh And Beyond

September 26, 2024

The challenge for Bangladesh and the region will be to contain Rahmani’s influence, both ideologically and operationally. Failure to do so could lead to a resurgence of jihadist activity, fracturing the delicate balance of security in South Asia. For the international community, including the US and India, the rise of figures like Rahmani is a reminder of the persistent threat of Islamist terrorism and the need for coordinated efforts to counter its spread.

Why Yunus’ government can’t overlook jihadi groups exploiting Bangladesh’s turmoil

August 20, 2024

Bangladesh, once hailed as a model for development in South Asia, now finds itself at a critical juncture. The recent political upheaval and the shift in power dynamics have set the stage for a potentially volatile future. The resignation of Sheikh Hasina, one of the most influential political figures in the country’s history, has left a void that could be filled by forces threatening to destabilize the nation. This commentary seeks to explore the underlying causes of the current situation, the implications of the recent developments, and the challenges ahead for Bangladesh.

TM: Jamaatul Ansar: A Terrorism Threat in Bangladesh Before the 2024 Elections?

June 28, 2023

In mid-2022, Bangladeshi police stumbled upon a burgeoning Islamist militant conglomerate called Jamaatul-Ansar-fil-Hindal Sharqiya (Assembly of the Helpers in the East of India, or “Jamaatul Ansar”) while investigating youth disappearances in the country. More than 50 youths have reportedly left their homes to join Islamist groups under the pretext of religious migration (hijra) in the last two years (Parthom Alo, September 25, 2022).

ANIMESH ROUL

TM: "Security Risks Rise in Rohingya Refugee Camps on the Myanmar-Bangladeshi Border"

January 09, 2023

As Rohingya refugee camps near the Naf river (which partially separates Bangladesh and Myanmar) become hubs for organized crime and militants, Bangladeshi authorities fear spillover effects for Bangladesh and for the region more broadly. Refugee camps have mushroomed along Bangladesh’s southeastern border since August 2017 as a result of the Rohingya exodus from Myanmar’s Rakhine State. However, now these refugee camps are becoming havens for crime, replete with gang violence, targeted killings, and the trafficking of drugs, firearms, and counterfeit currency.

ANIMESH ROUL

A STUDY OF AL-QAEDA’S TARGET-SPECIFIC NARRATIVES IN BANGLADESH

September 30, 2022

Abstract: This article examines Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent’s (AQIS) extremist propaganda in Bangladesh and how this South Asian affiliate of the Transnational Jihadist group- Al Qaeda- has dominated the extremist narrative against Bangladesh. The analyses draw on primary data from AQIS supporter channels on encrypted social media platforms such as Telegram and various “cloud-platform” websites that serve as repositories for the group’s propaganda.

SURAJ GANESAN

Forced Displacement and Mental Health: Status of Rohingyas in India and Bangladesh

Credit- HPN-Saiful

The Rohingyas, as described by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, are "one of, if not the most discriminated people in the world." Native to Myanmar's Rakhine state, Rohingyas are a stateless Muslim minority. Myanmar does not recognize them as citizens and considers them illegal immigrants. According to the Human Rights Watch, various laws in place discriminate against them, including prohibitions on their freedom of movement, education, and employment.

SHIVANI VAZE

TM: "Ansar al-Islam Bangladesh’s Unchecked Online Recruitment Campaign"

February 28, 2022

In late December 2021, Bangladeshi counter-terrorism agencies warned about the possible resurgence of Ansar al-Islam Bangladesh (AIB), which also functions as an official wing of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and staunchly supports the Afghan Taliban’s Islamic Emirate. According to these agencies, AIB has been recruiting and training in the hinterlands of Bangladesh.

ANIMESH ROUL

MLM:"An In-depth Look at Bangladeshi Militant and Propagandist Mushtaq Arman Khan" 

February 04, 2022

In early May 2020, the Bangladeshi police counter-terrorism unit arrested 17 members of the banned terrorist group, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), in Dhaka. At the time of the arrest, the JMB operatives planned to join Imam Mahdi, the spiritual redeemer of Islam, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

ANIMESH ROUL
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