Generative AI (GenAI) lowers the cost, time, and technical skill required to produce extremist propaganda. This paper examines how terrorist organizations in South Asia, most prominently Al Qaeda and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), leverage GenAI across their media and operational workflows.
At least two incidents in 2026, including an explosion in Bhubaneswar’s Sundarapada locality that killed two people and the arrest of Sheik Imran from the same city for conspiring to wage war against India in a separate incident, highlight more than isolated security breaches.
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.
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.
Of late, al-Qaeda’s South Asia branch has been proactive and forceful in its campaign against India and its neighbors. A “code of conduct,” released by the group in June 2017, signaled an expanded geographical scope by including Afghanistan and Myanmar into its supposed domain of influence and operation, adding to its core focus on India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.