According to the reports on Tuesday (24 December), Javed Ahmed Munshi, a suspected terrorist with links to the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM), was arrested in West Bengal on Saturday (21 December). He was found to have planned to infiltrate Bangladesh via the Sundarbans delta, a region known for its complex network of rivulets that connect West Bengal with Bangladesh. The arrest followed intelligence gathered from a note in Urdu, which detailed instructions on crossing into Bangladesh through Canning. This raises concerns about terrorists potentially using water routes for covert operations between the two countries.
Munshi, a known expert in handling IEDs and weapons, had a history of involvement in terror activities, including the 2011 murder of Ahl-i-Hadith leader Shauqat Shah. He had been trained in Pakistan and had used fake Pakistani passports to travel to countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan under the direction of his handlers. After his arrest, Munshi was handed over to Jammu and Kashmir police for further investigation, with authorities suspecting that he might have been part of a larger terror network planning attacks in the region.
The discovery of Munshi’s plan to use the Sundarbans water route raises significant security concerns. The delta’s network of rivers and rivulets makes it difficult for security agencies to maintain constant surveillance, making it an attractive route for terrorists. Authorities are now questioning whether terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir are attempting to exploit this natural geography to enter Bangladesh and, potentially, India. Increased flights from Pakistan to Bangladesh and possible terrorist activity in Nepal further complicate the situation.
Historically, the Sundarbans water route was used by terrorists to infiltrate Bangladesh, but this activity was curbed by strict measures from the Bangladesh government. However, with political changes in Bangladesh, including the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, there is concern that these routes could be used again by extremist groups. As agencies monitor the situation closely, the question remains whether the water bodies that crisscross the border could once again become a point of entry for terrorists looking for a safe passage between the two countries.
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