Terrorism in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has experienced terrorism in the past conducted by a number of different organisations.^[6]^[7] In the past, both ISIL and other terrorist organisations had claimed to be active in the country. However, the Bangladeshi government believes that they mainly operated through local affiliates, before being neutralised by security forces.^{[citation needed]}

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History

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The first militant Islamist organisation established in Bangladesh was the Muslim Millat Bahini (MMB), founded in 1986. They set up a madrasa and training camp on 5 acres (2.0 ha) in Shimulia village, Pakundia Upazila, Kishoreganj District. The madrasa enrolled more than 300 students. On 12 December 1989, 500 police raided the camp. A three-day gunfight erupted, resulting in the deaths of 2 policemen and 19 others. The outfit's leadership was arrested, and large quantities of weapons were seized. After the raid, the MMB ceased to function.^[8]

The country's second militant Islamist organisation was Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B). It was set up in the late 1980s and publicly unveiled on 30 April 1992 at a press conference in Dhaka. It was formed to support the Rohingya insurgency in Western Myanmar and to send mujahideen wherever there was jihad.^[9]

The Daily Star reported in 2005 that, since 1989, 30 militant Islamist organisations had set up networks in the country, their main goal being to create an Islamic state. Many of their members were Bangladeshis who trained in Libya, Pakistan, and Palestine, then fought in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Palestine. When they returned to Bangladesh, some set up madrasas to camouflage their militant activities.^[10]^[11]

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Timeline

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Perspective

First phase

1973

On 1 January, Mohammad Abdul Jalil formed the Biplobi Shainik Sangstha.^[12]
In April, Siraj Sikder, the founder of the Maoist group, Purba Banglar Sarbahara Party, formed the Purba Banglar Jatiya Mukti Front and declared war against the Bangladeshi government.^[13]

1975

On 2 January, Siraj Sikder was shot and killed by police in Savar Upazila, Dhaka.^[13]
On 3 November, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, Mujib's usurper,^[a] was ousted by Maj. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf and three other high-ranking officers in a bloodless counter-coup.^[17]
On 7 November, Maj. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf, Col. Abu Taher Mohammad Haider, and Col. Khondkar Nazmul Huda were killed in another counter-coup led by the JSD-backed Biplobi Shainik Sangstha.^[17]
On 24 November, JSD leader Abu Taher was arrested under the order of Ziaur Rahman. Abu Taher was executed on 21 July 1976, ending the first phase of the conflict.^[18]

Second phase

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2024)

1984

On 31 May, a group of 125 Shanti Bahini insurgents massacred about 400 Bengalis in Bhushanchhara Union of Barkal Upazila, Rangamati.^[19]

1986

On 29 April, Shanti Bahini insurgents massacred 19 Bengali residents in Tanakkapara Union of Panchhari Upazila, Khagrachhari.^[20]

Third phase

1999

On 18 January 1999, Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh carried out at assassination attempt on Shamsur Rahman.^[21]
On 6 March bomb attack on Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi in Jessore killed 10.^[22]
On 15 March bomb attack on the home of Mohibur Rahman Manik, Awami League member of parliament, killed two.^[23]
On 8 December 1999, an Ahmadi mosque was bombed, killing eight.^[22]

2001

On 20 January, a rally by the Communist Party of Bangladesh was bombed, killing five people and wounding 70 others.^[22]
On 14 April, 10 people were killed in a series of bombings perpetrated by Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami.^[24]
On 1 June, 10 people were killed in the Gopalganj Roman Catholic church bombing.^[22]
On 16 June, a rally of the Awami League was bombed in Narayanganj.^[22]
On 23 September, a rally of the Awami League in Bagerhat was bombed.^[22]
On 26 September, a rally of the Awami League was bombed in Sunamganj, killing four.^[22]
On 16 November, the death of Gopal Krishna Muhuri took place in Chittagong.^[25]^[26]

2002

On 6 December, 27 people were killed in the coordinated bombing of cinema halls in Mymensingh.^[22]
On 28 September, three people were killed and 100 injured in the bombing of a cinema hall and circus in Satkhira.^[22]

2003

On 17 January, a bomb blast occurred at a shrine fair in Tangail.^[27]
22 January, five people were killed in a Sufi shrine, including its caretaker.^[28]
On 8 February, Sayed Kawsar Hossain Siddique founded an Islamist organisation named Shahadat-e al Hiqma.^[29]^[30]
On 1 March, a police sergeant was killed in a bomb attack in Khulna.^[22]
On 11 March, two police constables were killed in a bomb attack.^[22]
On 12 March, a police officer was killed in a bomb attack in Khulna.^[31]
On 6 September, an Awami League leader was killed in a bomb attack.^[22]

2004

On 12 January, a bombing in Shah Jalal Dargah killed 12.^{[citation needed]}
On 13 January, a bomb attack on Fazlur Rahman, joint secretary of Sharsha Upazila unit of the Awami League in Benapol killed him and injured six.^[32]
On 13 January, three people were killed in a bomb attack on Shah Jalal Dargah.^[33]
On 13 January, a bomb was thrown on a traffic sergeant which failed to explode in Moilapota intersection, Khulna.^[34]
On 15 January, Manik Chandra Saha, journalist, was killed in a terror attack.^[22]
On 24 January, a police camp was bombed in Bagerhat, injuring three police officers.^[31]
On 20 February, a movie house at Rupsa Upazila was bombed, injuring four.^[35]
On 4 March, an Awami League leader was killed in a bomb attack in Bagerhat. Another Awami League leader was assassinated in Narayanganj.^[36]
On 4 August, a bomb attack on Rangmahal Cinema and at Monika Cinema in Sylhet killed one and injured ten.^[37]
On 21 August, HuJI militants perpetrated a grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka, killing 24 people and injuring over 300.^[38]
On 24 December, Rajshahi University Professor Mohammad Yunus was killed in an attack by JMB.^[39]

2005

On 17 August, a total of 500 bombs exploded in 300 locations across Bangladesh, killing two people and injuring 50. Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh later claimed responsibility for the bombings.^[40]
On 1 October, Mufti Abdul Hannan, the chief of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh, was arrested.^[41]
On 3 October, Chittagong court, Chandpur Court and Laxmipur court were attacked with bombs.^[42]
On 14 November, JMB killed two judges in bomb attack in Jhalaikathi.^[42]
On 29 November, a suicide attack was carried out on Gazipur Courthouse.^[42]
On 29 November, a bombing took place at a Chittagong court house.^[42]
On 8 December, a suicide bomb attack occurred at a festival in Netrokona.^[42]

2006

On 19 December, a top leader of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, Abdullah al-Tasnim, was arrested by police.^[43]

2008

On 1 January, Amirul Islam, a regional leader of the Biplobi Communist Party, was killed in a shootout with police.^[44]

2009

On 30 October, three people were killed in a bomb attack on Shah Jalal Dargah.^[45]

2011

On 28 July, the court of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Rajshahi sentenced the founder of Shahadat-e al Hiqma, Sayed Kawsar Hossain Siddique, to jail.^[46]

2013

On 7 October 2013, three people were killed while making bombs at a dorm of the Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamia Lalkhan Bazar.^[47]^[48] The madrassah was founded by Izharul Islam Chowdhury, founding leader of the Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh, and Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.^[49]^[50]

2014

On 28 January, a PBCP leader, Islam Sabuj, was killed in a shootout with police.^[51]
In April, Abdullah al-Tasnim was bailed out of jail.^[43]
In July, Jakir Khandakar allegedly reactivated Shahadat-e al Hiqma and shifted headquarters to Bandarban District, Chittagong.^[52]
On 17 September, acting on a tip, Rapid Action Battalion discovered and dismantled a weapons and explosives storage facility located in the Satchhari forest, Chunarughat Upazila, Habiganj. 112 rocket launchers and 14 sacks of explosive material were confiscated during the operation.^[53]
On 18 September, police arrested seven JMB militant, including a top commander Abdullah al-Tasnim, in the Landing Station Port area. The militants intended to utilise 10 kilograms of liquid explosives, in a number of terrorist acts throughout the country, in order to establish cooperation with ISIL.^[54]
On 1 November, a Rapid Action Battalion operation led to the capture of JMB's main coordinator Abdun Nur as well as four other militants. IED components were also seized.^[55]

2015

On 26 February, Bangladeshi-American blogger, Avijit Roy, and his wife, Bonya Ahmed, were attacked by members of Ansarullah Bangla Team with machetes. Roy died while Ahmed survived^[56]^[57]^[58]
On 5 November, a 'top leader' of the PBSP-MBRM and former cadre of the GMF, Sahinur Rahman, was killed in a shootout with the Detective Branch of the Bangladesh Police at Sadar Upazila, Rajbari District.^[59]

2016

On 15 March, ISIL claimed responsibility for murdering a Muslim preacher in Bangladesh.^[60]
On 22 March, unidentified attackers hacked a Christian convert to death in northern Bangladesh.^[61] A day after, ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.^[62]
On 7 April, a secular blogger was hacked to death by Islamists who claimed to be part of al-Qaeda.^[63]^[64]
On 23 April, an university professor, A. F. M. Rezaul Karim Siddique, was hacked to death on his way to work in northern Bangladesh. Without any evidence, ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.^[65]^[66]
On 25 April, al-Qaeda militants hacked LGBTQ activist, Xulhaz Mannan, and his friend to death in his apartment.^[67]^[68]
On 30 April, a Hindu tailor was hacked to death in his store. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.^[69] On the next day, Bangladesh authorities arrested three ISIL suspects for the murder.^[70]
On 21 May, a homeopathic doctor was hacked to death in Bangladesh. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.^[71]
On 1 July, militants hacked a Buddhist farmer to death in Bandarban District. Mong Shwe Lung Marma, 55, was also vice president of the Awami League. ISIL fighters claimed responsibility for the murder.^[72]
On 1 July, five attackers opened fire inside the Holey Artisan Bakery located in the Gulshan neighbourhood, which is also part of the diplomatic enclave of Dhaka. Around 22 civilians and two police officers were killed. All five attackers were killed by the commando units of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, who stormed the building.^[73]^[74]
On 27 August, three militants, including Abu Dujanah al-Bengali, were killed during a joint forces raid at a house in Narayanganj Sadar Upazila.^[75]^[76]

2017

On 14 March, a Muslim Sufi spiritual leader and his daughter were shot and hacked to death by unknown militants in northern Bangladesh.^[77]
On 17 March, during the 2017 Dhaka RAB camp suicide bombing, a suicide bomber blew himself up inside an under construction camp of the anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion, mildly injuring two security personnel.^[78]
On 24 March, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a police check-post on the road leading to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport causing no injuries to other people. ISIL claimed the attack.^[79]
On 25 March, during the 2017 South Surma Upazila bombings, a suicide bombing killed four civilians and two police officers and wounded around 40 during a security forces raid on a suspected terrorist hideout in South Surma Upazila. ISIL claimed responsibility. Four militants were also killed.^[80]
On 12 April, Mufti Abdul Hannan, the chief of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh, alongside two associates, were executed at Kashimpur Central Jail almost 12 years after being arrested.^[81]

2018

On 11 March, 35-year-old Notun Moni Chakma, a member of the United People's Democratic Front, was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants in Goboghona village, Rangamati.^[82]
On 28 May, three members of the United People's Democratic Front were gunned down by unidentified assailants in Korolyachhari, Baghaichhari Upazila.^[83] The United People's Democratic Front blamed the attack on two rival groups, the PCJSS-MN Larma and the United People's Democratic Front (Democratic).^[84]

2019

On 29 June, acting on a tipoff, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five members of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam (AAI) from Belpukur area in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi. RAB recovered a pistol, 24 crude bombs, five bullets, two magazines, 10 jihadi books and eight organisational notebooks from them.^[85]
On 26 August, members of the United People's Democratic Front engaged in a shootout with a group of patrolling soldiers in Dighinala Upazila, Khagrachhari, leaving three militants dead.^[86]

2020

On 28 December, Rashidul Islam, a regional leader of Gono Mukti Fouz was arrested by the RAB in Kushtia District, Khulna after a raid.^[87] One rifle, one pistol, 16 rounds of ammunition and "domestic weapons" were recovered.

2021

On 18 January, a Khulna court sentenced five cadres of the Purbo Banglar Communist Party-Janajuddho to life imprisonment.^[88]
In July, the United People's Democratic Front's Joan Chakma led a contingent of Buddhist-Chakmas to Suandrapara, a village of the Bawm Christian convert community, where they issued threats and conducted two raids, damaging a church.^[89]
On 30 July, four members of the United People's Democratic Front were arrested in Langadu Upazila, Rangamati for extortion.^[90]

2022

On 18 July, Bangladesh Police announced the arrests of Nur Mohammad, chairman of ARSA's fatwa committee, and Abu Bakkar, a commander of the group accused of the killings of Rohingyas in October 2021. The two were stated to have been arrested on 7 and 17 July respectively. Armed Police Battalion unit 14 commander Naimul Haque claimed that they had arrested 836 Rohingyas linked to ARSA in the last six months.^[3]

2023

On 21 July, ARSA commander Hafez Nur Mohammad was captured by the Rapid Action Battalion in Cox's Bazar.^[91]

2024

On 18 May, two members of the United People's Democratic Front were shot dead by presumed rivals of the United People's Democratic Front in Langadu Upazila.^[92]
On 9 June, four members of the Kuki-Chin National Front, identified as Moithang Bom, Jouthan Bom, Thomas Edison Bom and Lal Ronih Sang Bom, were arrested in Jurvarongpara, Paindu Union, Ruma Upazila, Bandarban District.^[93]
On 13 September, the Interim Government of Bangladesh released Jasimuddin Rahmani, the alleged "chief of the Al Qaeda-affiliated Ansarullah Bangla Team" who was convicted for "killing secular bloggers" and had reportedly urged the West Bengal state government to break away from India and declare independence.^[94]^[95]^[96]
On 11 October, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Durga Puja pandal in Dhaka's Tantibazar. People chased the perpetrators, who injured four others by stabbing in an effort to escape.^[97]
On 14 October, during the visarjan (immersion) of the Hindu idols, extremists began throwing bricks at Hindus from the roof of a building in old Dhaka. When some Hindus tried to go up to the building to stop the throwing, the police prevented the Hindus from going up. In this incident, two Hindus were injured.^[98]
On 5 November, a mob reacted to a Facebook post calling ISKCON a "terrorist organisation".^[99] An incident occurred in Hazari Lane, Chittagong, Bangladesh.^[99]The mob, including members associated with ISKCON, attacked a local Muslim businessman who shared the post and attempted to burn down his shop in the vicinity.^[99] Over 80 people were detained and 49 arrests were made.^[100]
On 17 November, accusing a Hindu youth of having a romantic relationship with a Muslim teenage girl in Karimganj, a boy was beaten severely in the presence of the army and, when taken to 'PAH Medical College Hospital,' the on-duty doctor officially declared him dead.^[101]
On 2 December 2024, an attack took place at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, the capital of the Indian state of Tripura. The attackers were identified as members of Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, affiliated to the far-right Hindutva group Vishva Hindu Parishad.^[102]
On 7 December, the Shri Shri Mahabhagya Lakshmi Narayan Temple in the Turag area was set ablaze by pouring petrol or octane and lighting on fire The fire burned the idols inside the temple and goods worth approximately 1 lakh taka.^[103]

2025

Operation Devil Hunt was launched on 8 February by the Yunus interim government.^[104]^[105] The operation hunts down supporters of Sheikh Hasina.^[106] On 9 February, 83 people, including Awami League politicians and members, were detained and 1,308 people were arrested across Bangladesh.^[107]^[108] By end of March, over 12 thousand people had been arrested.^[109]
On 24 February, an Attack occurred on Bangladesh Air Force Base in Cox's Bazar when a group of "miscreants" launched an assault on the base located near the Samiti Para area in Cox's Bazar. One person was killed and several were injured as a result of the clash.^[110]
In March 2025, banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir attempted a "March for Khilafat" in Dhaka, gathering at Baitul Mukarram Mosque. Police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd; 36 members were detained following brick- and stone-throwing that injured at least 10, including journalists.^[111]^[112]^[113]^[114]
On 18-20 March, Bangladeshi security forces detained Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), near Dhaka. He was arrested on charges including illegal entry, sabotage, and terrorist activity, alongside several other members.^[115]^[116]
With Malaysia filing charges against 36 Bangladeshis for alleged involvement of ISIS in June 2025, the incident highlights risks in overseas labour channels and demands greater transparency^[117] in bilateral security coordination, beyond rhetorical commitments to global counterterrorism norms.^[118]
On 14 July , 2 people were arrested in suspecting links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban. ^[119] One individual , " Shamin Mahfuz " was arrested in Narayanganj. ^[120]

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Public perception

Public perception in Bangladesh suggests growing concern over youth radicalization since 2009, with observers linking it to both local and global influences.^[121] Ideology is often seen as a key factor, with groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda reportedly targeting educated youth. A "Pyramid Root Cause model" has been proposed to explain this trend.^[122]^[123]

Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Md Rezaul Karim Mallick stated that there has been no real militancy in Bangladesh over the past 18 years, describing previous concerns as a "drama." ^[124]Speaking at an anti-terrorism rally in Shariatpur, his remarks have drawn criticism from observers who argue that such comments overlook documented incidents and undermine efforts by law enforcement and counterterrorism agencies. He was earlier removed from his post due to a similar widespread criticism.^[125]^[126]

Notes

In Bangladesh Italian Marble Works Ltd. v. Government of Bangladesh, the Supreme Court ruled that Mostaq's accession to the Presidency was illegal as it violated the line of succession and occurred after a military coup. Therefore, it was declared that Mostaq was a usurper and all Ordinances rendered by him under martial law were null and void of any legal effect.^[14]^[15]^[16]

References

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History

Timeline

First phase

1973

1975

Second phase

1984

1986

Third phase

1999

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2008

2009

2011

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Public perception

See also

Notes

References