Bangladesh on brink: Terror groups demand lift on ban, sparking fears of 'Islamic State' rise

Some of Bangladesh's terrorist outfits are pressurizing the government to revoke their ban, reports sources of intelligence. The groups, which have the goal to establish an Islamic State and Caliphate worldwide, are functioning in Bangladesh and also aspire to function in India. They now are taking refuge on the Bangladesh streets, rallying for a Caliphate to be established. "The case of Bangladesh is very delicate, and they wish to make the best use of this," sources explained.

Influencing students to pursue the agenda

Sources also confirm that these organisations have been increasingly active in Bangladesh, especially in universities. They are trying to influence students in different educational institutions to pursue their agenda. A top officer informed meida, "They wish for the ban on them to be removed and they wish to adopt the same model of working in India. They wish to radicalise students in educational institutions."

The banned terror outfits

The banned organisations in Bangladesh are:

1. Harkatul Jihad Al Islami (HuJI)
2. Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB)
3. Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)
4. Purbo Bangla Communist Party (PBCB)
5. Islami Chattra Sibir (ICS)
6. ISIS
7. Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT)
8. Ansar Al Islam
9. Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)
10. Hizbut Tahrir (HT)
11. Allahar Dhal
12. Hijbut Tawhid

Upon taking power, the caretaker government removed the ban on Islami Chatra Sibir (ICS). Even though a ban is still imposed, Hizbut Tahrir (HT), Ansar al Islam, Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), and HuJI-inspired Hefajote Islam (HeI) are openly and actively spreading extremist agendas under the protection of the government.

The terror activities 

The terrorist groups' activities are as follows:

1. Destruction of over 100 shrines
2. Persecution of religious and ethnic minorities
3. Open processions in support of establishing a so-called Caliphate
4. Creating "Gazwa-e-Hind"
5. Moral policing
6. Releasing over 200 convicted terrorists from prison
7. Undermining and making ineffective counterterrorism capacity

With the help and connivance of the authorities, such open campaigns and activities by extremists would be virtually impossible, sources said.

While Dhaka insists that it is not planning to lift the ban on these organisations, analysts believe that the release of Ansarullah Bangla Team member Jashimuddin Rahemani sends a big message.