Lt. Col. (Retd.) Hasinur Rahman, a controversial figure known for his past as a “crossfire specialist” during the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, has once again stirred controversy with provocative statements that threaten to escalate tensions between Bangladesh and India. Speaking at a recent event, Rahman asserted that peace in Bangladesh is contingent upon fragmenting India, a claim that aligns with a broader pattern of anti-India rhetoric and actions that have raised alarm bells in New Delhi and beyond.
Rahman’s remarks, which included calls for the separation of India’s northeastern states and the establishment of seven independent states, echo his long-standing history of spreading hatred against India and the Awami League. His statement, “If India is not fragmented, we will not have peace,” was met with laughter and approval, reflecting a dangerous sentiment that has been amplified by other key figures in Bangladesh’s interim government and extremist groups.
This is not the first time Rahman has been in the spotlight for his inflammatory rhetoric. A recent report by Sumaiya Sikder highlighted Rahman’s revival under the umbrella of the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Jamaat-e-Islami, noting his role in instigating trials against former and serving army officers on allegations of disappearance and murders.
Rahman, better known as a Pakistani ISI agent, has been spreading propaganda that petty criminal Joj Mia was behind the deadly grenade attack of August 21, 2004, and that Indian agents carried out the killings of army officers in the BDR mutiny of 2009โclaims that contradict evidence pointing to Bangladeshi jihadists of Pakistani origin.
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Rahman’s past is marred by allegations of human rights abuses. During the BNP-Jamaat coalition government from June 24, 2004, to December 31, 2006, he was identified as a “crossfire specialist” responsible for numerous extrajudicial killings, particularly in the Chittagong division, where 236 people were killed in so-called crossfire incidents. His tenure as the commanding officer of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-7 in Chittagong saw the deaths of several suspected terrorists and political figures, including Ahmadul Haque Chowdhury (Ahmudia), his bodyguard Minhaj, Chhatra League leader Mohimuddin Mohim, and Chhatra Dal leader Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury (Iqbialla).
Following the fall of the Awami League government, Rahman has been sponsored by Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, the son of war criminal Ghulam Azam, to recruit Rohingya refugees and stranded Pakistanis for jihadist training. This mission is reportedly assisted by the Pakistani High Commissioner, Syed Ahmed Maroof, who has been in contact with militant groups in Coxโs Bazar.
Rahman’s involvement in the anti-government movement of July-August last year, where he provided arms to protesters and increased the death toll, further underscores his dangerous influence.
At the same event, retired Colonel Abdul Hoque made a similarly provocative statement, calling for the unification of anti-India forces to capture Northeast India. He emphasised: “Until we can separate these Seven Sisters and establish seven independent states, Bangladesh will not be safe. People are waiting to establish these seven states, but we cannot help them. I am saying it openly. For your survival, if they can occupy our country, why can’t we create new states for them?” His remarks, combined with Rahman’s, paint a picture of a coordinated effort to incite regional instability.
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These developments come amidst a backdrop of escalating security concerns, highlighted by the recent Delhi car blast on November 10, which Indian agencies have linked to coordinated planning involving Pakistani terror outfits and Bangladeshi operatives. The lifting of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and the subsequent amplification of anti-India rhetoric by its leaders have further emboldened extremist elements, fueling a surge in jihadist activities and anti-Hindu sentiments.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent warning to Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, to “watch his words” underscores India’s growing concern over these provocations. The Indian Army has responded strategically by establishing new outposts near the Bangladesh border to fortify the Siliguri Corridor, enhancing surveillance and rapid response capabilities. These moves stem directly from the provocative actions and rhetoric from Dhaka, which threaten to ignite a regional firestorm.
The international community must condemn these audacious statements and urge Bangladesh’s interim government to take immediate steps to distance itself from such inflammatory rhetoric. The people of Bangladesh deserve a leadership that prioritises stability and development over dangerous geopolitical gambits. The recent escalation, including the Delhi car blast and the calls for fragmenting India, represents a dangerous turn that could derail decades of progress towards peaceful coexistence between the two nations.
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