International News: The fear that had long lingered is now turning into reality—Pakistan-based terror networks have begun making their way into Bangladesh. In a serious development, anti-terror agencies in Bangladesh have arrested two individuals this month for allegedly having links with the banned terror outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The presence of this notorious group, known for violent attacks against Pakistan's own military, is now raising alarm bells in Dhaka.
Arrests Based on Intelligence Inputs
According to a report, Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) arrested Mohammad Foysal (33) on July 2 from his shop in Savar, near Dhaka. The arrest was based on specific intelligence that pointed to his connection with TTP. The very next day, he was sent to jail, and on July 5, Foysal and five others were officially charged under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
Foysal Admitted to Traveling to Afghanistan
During police questioning, Foysal confessed that he was deeply influenced by TTP's ideology. In October 2024, he traveled to Afghanistan through Pakistan with a 23-year-old local resident named Zubair. Zubair was later killed during a Pakistani army operation in Waziristan. Foysal also revealed that Engineer Imran Haider was the main recruiter who helped radicalize young Bangladeshi men and introduce them to TTP’s network.
Spreading Radical Content and Preparing for Jihad
The police chargesheet claims that Foysal and other accused individuals were not just spreading extremist content online—they were actively preparing for jihad. The others named in the case are Rezaul Karim Abrar, Asif Adnan, Zakaria Masud, and Sanaf Hasan. According to The Dhaka Tribune, which claims to have reviewed the official document, the phrase "preparing for jihad" was clearly mentioned—pointing to real efforts toward recruitment and terror training, beyond just online propaganda.
Another Arrest Uncovers TTP Links
In a separate operation on July 14, Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Shamin Mahfuz, a former leader of banned groups JMB and Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya. Although his name wasn’t initially linked to Foysal’s case, during interrogation, his possible ties to TTP came to light. He has now been handed over to the ATU for further investigation.
A Growing Terror Concern for the Region
The involvement of TTP in Bangladesh is being seen as a grave threat—not just to internal security, but to the broader South Asian region. With evidence of radicalization, planned recruitment, and potential training camps, security agencies are now working round the clock to trace and dismantle these dangerous networks before they gain a stronger foothold.
