Terrorist Leader’s Release Sparks Indian Concerns

On 26 August 2024, the caretaker government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, released Jashimuddin Rahmani, the leader of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group. Rahmani, who was jailed for his involvement in the 15 February 2013 murder of blogger Rajib Haider, was granted parole from Kashimpur High-Security Central Jail in Gazipur, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.

Rahmani’s release has caused significant concern in India, particularly in the northeastern states of Assam and Tripura, where ABT has been actively attempting to establish a jihadi network through sleeper cells. The Assam Police have previously thwarted several attempts by ABT to infiltrate and establish operations in the region. In May 2023, two ABT-linked terrorists, Bahar Mia and Rarely Mia, were arrested by Assam Police at Guwahati railway station, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by the group.

Intelligence reports have indicated that ABT has collaborated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to plan and execute terrorist attacks in India’s northeastern states. In 2022, LeT and ABT reportedly worked together to establish a base in Bengal with the intent of launching attacks within India. Concerns are heightened by reports suggesting that between 50 to 100 ABT cadres are planning to infiltrate Tripura.

The Assam government has been vigilant in countering the threat posed by ABT, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noting that the group’s operatives are adept at evading detection by avoiding regular communication tools and using highly encrypted devices instead. The ongoing efforts by Indian security forces to dismantle ABT networks underscore the gravity of the threat, particularly in light of Rahmani’s release.

References

• Bangladesh releases terrorist leader, raising security concerns in India’s northeast