While the Jamaat-controlled interim government is patronising jihadist groups by aiding them with logistics, releasing militants from jail and labelling them as Islamic scholars, the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) arrested Shamin Mahfuz in July on charges of being involved with the Pakistan-based banned militant organisation Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He was arrested several times earlier for links to Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, two banned outfits linked to Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan-based al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). In 2023, law enforcers also learned that Jama’atul Ansar members were given training by the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It also works in coordination with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
Other renowned extremists with links to the TTP are Asif Adnan, who was arrested in 2015 for involvement with the Islamic State, Al Imran alias Engineer Imran Haider, Maulana Zakaria Masud, Maulana Rezaul Karim Abrar, and Sanaf Hossain, said the ATU.
Their patrons include Jasimuddin Rahmani, Mufti Harun Izhar, sacked Major Syed Ziaul Haque, Brig Gen (Retired) Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, and journalist Mahmudur Rahman, among others. Two top officers of the Bangladesh ArmyโLt. Gen. Kamrul Hasan and Lt. Gen. Faizur Rahmanโare closely working with the Pakistani spy agency ISI to seek jihadist collaboration and establish the Islamic Revolutionary Army (IRA).
Now, news has emerged that a Bangladeshi youth, named Foisal Hossain, and 16 others were killed while fighting for the TTP in Pakistanโs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on September 26.
Earlier, another Bangladeshi named Ahmed Zubair was killed in the operation of the security forces against TTP hideouts in North Waziristan last April.
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According to some police sources, the process of recruiting manpower from Bangladesh for TTP, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Taliban and Islamic State has been active for a long time. Over 100 youths took arms training in Bangladesh before joining al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq via Turkey from 2013-18 while carrying out dozens of terror attacks inside the country.
Moreover, many Bangladeshis living in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the US and Canada have been found involved in online campaigns and fundraising for jihadist groups.
From Dubai to Pakistan
Foisal had left Bangladesh in March last year, telling his family in Madaripurโs Kalikapur area that he was going to Dubai for work. About six months later, Faisal called his elder brother, saying that he was in Dubai and was doing well.
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Before going abroad, Foisal used to sell prayer beads, caps and attar perfume in front of various mosques and markets.
Foisalโs body was identified by the security forces from his ID card, money and other documents from his clothes. Later, the photos of the victims were published in the Pakistani media. The family confirmed Foisal’s death after seeing that picture.
China Begum, Foisal’s mother, said: “I cannot accept that my dear Faisal will be killed in Pakistan for going to Dubai. Faisal fell victim to the murderer. I demand that all those involved in this incident be brought under the law.โ
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Foisalโs uncle, Abdul Halim, told BBC Bangla: โOne and a half to two years ago, in March 2024, Faisal left the country saying that he was going to Dubai. He contacted the family a week after leaving the country. He said that he was in India. He was telling his elder brother that he was going to Dubai from there.โ
His uncle said that Foisal would have passed by if he wanted to know with whom and how the family went.
Halim said: “He said that he went abroad with a brother, who paid the full expenses. It will be adjusted from his salary. If asked for details, he would put aside the call. After a month, he called again to say that he is in Dubai, that he is fine.”
He added that during the last Qurbani Eid, the police and DB police from Madaripur police station came home. They were enquiring about Foisal. When the family said that he was in Dubai, the officials said he was in Pakistan.
Later, the family told Foisal to send money and come back to the country before Qurbani Eid. But he refused to return, saying that he had been sponsored by spending a lot of money. So, he would not be able to come.
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