Bangladesh Militant’s Taliban Connection
March 22, 2009 by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
Bangladesh government, for the first time, officially endorsed a fact that, a hidden link between the local militants and Taliban terrorists were established since past several years. Government also said that a large number of militants were recruited in country’s law enforcing agencies and armed forces during the past BNP-Islamist Coalition government. Earlier, Commerce Minister, retired Lieutenant Colonel Faruk Khan told reporters that militants penetrated into country’s border security forces, who were liable for February Massacre that took place at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Riffles [BDR] killing large number of army officers, rape and physical abuse of several people. The minister claimed, Islamist militancy group JMB had hands behind the entire conspiracy centering February Massacre. But, Law Minister, Barrister Shafiq Ahmed rejected the comments of the Commerce Minister saying, “It will not be proper to accuse anybody until a full investigation report is available. On conclusion of the investigation, the names of persons involved will be made public.â€
Retired Lt. Col. Faruk Khan on Monday reaffirmed his previous comment of militant connection with the February Massacre inside BDR headquarters, who once again claimed that militants have penetrated inside law enforcing and other disciplined forces in the country.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies in Bangladesh have sent a report to the Prime Minister on the existing militant groups in the country. According to the report, at least 12 militant outfits are active in Bangladesh, which have foreign funding links and relations with local political parties. The 12 militant outfits are, Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh [JMB], Harkatul Jihad al Islami [Huji], Hizb Ut Towhid, Ulama Anjuman al Bainat, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Islamic Democratic Party [IDP], Islami Samaj, Touhid Trust, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh [JMJB], Shahadat-E-Al Hikma Party Bangladesh, Tamira Ad-Din Bangladesh [Hizb-E-Abu Omar] and Allah’r Dal [Hezbollah]. The report however did not mention names of other militant outfits such as Zadid Al-Qaeda, Khatmey Nabuat Movement and Khatmey Nabuat Andolan.
It may be mentioned here that, members of Khatmey Nabuat Movement and Khatmey Nabuat Andolan have been staging massive repression on Ahmedia religious minority group in Bangladesh. Moreover, Mufti Noor Hussain Noonari, leader of Khatmey Nabuat Andolan led dozens of Islamists in destroying a sculpture, which was erected by the City Corporation in front of the Zia International Airport. Members of law enforcing agencies were helplessly witnessing the destructions of State properties by the unruly Islamists in broad day light. Later another group of Islamists attempted to destroy the sculpture in front of the National Flag Carrier’s head office. They also threatened to destroy the National Monument, which was erected in memory of the martyrs of the independence war of Bangladesh as well as another monument erected in the memory of Bangla Language Movement. It is learnt that, Mufti Noorani is continuing to give instigations behind such illegal activities.
Bangladesh government has so far banned four Islamist militant outfits named, Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh [JMB], Harkatul Jihad al Islami [Huji], Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh and Shahadat-E-Al Hikma.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 16, 2009 directed the intelligence agencies to work in a coordinated way to thwart recurrence of incidents like the February’s massacre at the Bangladesh Rifles [BDR] headquarters. Bangladesh presently has five intelligence agencies named National Security Intelligence [NSI], Directorate General of Forces Intelligence [DGFI], Military Intelligence [MI], Special Branch [SB] and Detective Branch [DB] of Police.
The present government is set to reorganise the activities of the intelligence wings gradually. In a move it has changed the director general of National Security Intelligence [NSI] on Monday. Retired Brigradier General Manzur Ahmed has been placed in the post replacing Major General Shaikh Monirul Islam.
Taliban connetion with Bangladeshi militants were claimed since 2003 by a number of local analysts in the country. It was told that, 64,000 Madrassas as well as Kindergarten Madrassas [mostly funded by Afro-Arab sources] are breeding grounds of Jihadists. Anti-Semitic and anti-West hatreds are planted in the minds of Talibans [Students of Madrassas] by the Islamist clergies and religious teachers.
It is believed that, recent statements of Bangladeshi ministers on militant penetration in law enforcing agencies as well as disciplined forces may greatly hamper participation of Bangladeshi army and police in the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces [UNPKF]. There are several thousand members of Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police in UNPKF in different countries.
Meanwhile, according to an information some vested interest groups are already active cashing the statements of the Bangladeshi minister in creating problems for Bangladeshi Forces in the United Nations Peace Keeping Force.
Last 5 posts by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
- Islamist militancy group Hizbut Towhid in action in Bangladesh – October 4th, 2009
- Murder of Army Officers – Wrong man chosen as IO – March 4th, 2009
- Bangladesh: February Massacre & Operation Rebel Hunt – March 3rd, 2009
- Was it BDR troop mutiny or pre-planned murder? – March 1st, 2009
- Lies about Bangladesh Army, conspiracy and responsibility of the Nation – February 28th, 2009
i not agree.
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