Bangladesh News: Amidst the changed political situation in Bangladesh, the debate over the activities of terrorism and radical organizations has intensified. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and her former advisor Sajib Wajed Joy has claimed that there is an opportunity for terrorist and radical elements to reactivate in the country and this situation can be a cause of concern for India as well. Sajib Wajed, while virtually addressing an event in Delhi earlier this month, also alleged that the influence of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI was growing in Bangladesh. He warned that the situation in Bangladesh could pose a security challenge to India’s eastern border. However, these allegations have not been independently confirmed.

Concerns over Ikramul Haq linked to AQIS

The name of Ikramul Haque alias Abu Talha has come to the fore in the discussion of radical movements in Bangladesh. According to earlier claims of the Bangladesh Police, Ikramul was associated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent i.e. AQIS and several terrorism- cases were registered against him in India as well. Ikramul was arrested on May 30, 2023 from Dhaka’s Madartek area. He was in Kashimpur High Security Jail, but got bail on October 10, 2024. After that the security agencies are not clear about his exact presence. A member of his family said he was teaching in a madrasa, while police said efforts were on to trace him.

Bangladesh is also mentioned in the UN report

Security concerns are not limited to political accusations. According to details published in the Bangladeshi media regarding the 38th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the United Nations Security Council published in August 2026, AQIS may try to establish small and clandestine cells and networks in Bangladesh. Concerns have been raised that AQIS may expand its network through small and isolated cells rather than a large organized unit. An important point here, however, is that Bangladesh’s law-enforcement agencies have taken the UN warning seriously, but have not taken it as conclusive evidence of a fully active and organized AQIS network in the country. Agencies are investigating possible ties and suspicious networks.

Question regarding accused released on bail

After the 2024 political upheaval in Bangladesh, there have also been reports of some accused in terrorism- cases being out on bail. The case of Ikramul Haq is also included in it. Bangladeshi media reports have expressed concern about the reactivation or absconding of several people linked to extremist organizations or facing cases under anti-terrorism laws. Based on this situation, Sajib Wajed has targeted the current Bangladesh government. However, many of his allegations are in the form of political claims and are yet to be independently proven.

Why is this situation important for India?

India and Bangladesh share an international border of over 4,000 km. West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram share a border with Bangladesh. Hence, if the network of any transnational terror organization strengthens in Bangladesh, the risk of cross-border infiltration, use of fake documents, sleeper cells, arms trafficking and online radicalization can increase for India. AQIS itself has an agenda of being active in South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and has been linked to responsibility for attacks on writers and social activists in Bangladesh in the past.