The Prospects of Threats of Terrorism in Bangladesh

Major General ANM Muniruzzaman, ndc, psc (Retd)President Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS)

Glimpses of Bangladesh

Muslim Majority South Asian State

Urban Landscape of Bangladesh

Countryside BangladeshCountryside Bangladesh

Originally People with Moderate Mindset & Originally People with Moderate Mindset & Homogenous Population Homogenous Population

Same land, different voices

Radicalization ProcessRadicalization Process

Secular vibe hindered

Radicalization ProcessRadicalization Process

Growing Intolerance Widespread religiousViolence

Radicalization ProcessRadicalization Process

Militants intrude into the political system

Trends of Radicalization in BangladeshTrends of Radicalization in Bangladesh

Islam is the state religion

Trends of Radicalization in BangladeshTrends of Radicalization in Bangladesh

Trends of Radicalization in BangladeshTrends of Radicalization in Bangladesh

Rigidity in Faith Squeezed Moderate Spaces

Terrorist incidents in BangladeshTerrorist incidents in Bangladesh

Since 1999, Attacks by Islamist Militants Have Been Increasing

Lawyers and Judges

Terror Attacks in BangladeshTerror Attacks in Bangladesh

Terrorizing Judicial System to adopt Islamic rules and Laws In 2005 bomb attack killed two judges. Bomb attack in the Court Areas of Chittagong and Gazipur killed 10 persons.

Terror Attacks in BangladeshTerror Attacks in Bangladesh

Simultaneous bomb blasts in

63 districts out of 64 district

at a time on 17th August, 2005

Attack in front of the office

of Deputy Commissioner (DC)

in Gajipur.

State Administration

National Political Parties Targeted

Terror Attacks in BangladeshTerror Attacks in Bangladesh

Grenade attack on Ex Prime MinisterHasina during a political rally on August21, 2004.Killed: 20Injured: More than 200

Terror Attacks in BangladeshTerror Attacks in Bangladesh

British High Commissioner attacked in Sylhet

Diplomats and Foreigners

Transnational LinkagesTransnational Linkages

The Growing International Linkages

Existing Radical Groups in BangladeshExisting Radical Groups in Bangladesh

Name of the Organizatio

n

Date of establishmen

t

Est. Strength

Status

Operates Aims & Remarks

Harkat-ul-Jihad Islmai, Bangladesh¥, HUJI-B

1992 3000+ A Bng Recruit Bng and Indian Muslims to fight in Kashmir under HuM estb by al-Qaeda

Hizbut Towhid

1994 n.k A Bng Anti-traditional Gov.

Islami Biplobi Parishad (IBP)

2001 n.k A Bng Estb Islamic state.

[Source: The Military Balance 2007, The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), p-433-434]

Name of the Organization

Date of establishmen

t

Est. Strengt

h

Status Operates Aims & Remarks

Islami Ch’attra Shibir (ICS)

1941 n.k A Bng Militant organization seeking Taliban style regime in Bng, student wing of Jamaat-e-Ismali, Bng, 3rd largest political party.

Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB)

1998 n.k A Bng End activities of left wing extremist groups in in north west, est Islamic rule in Bng, Taliban ideology, possible splinter of JMB

Jama’at ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)

1998 10,000 A Bng Estb Islamic rule in Bng, oppose democracy.

Purba Bangla Communist Party

1968 1000+ A Bng Armed struggle, rid Bng of class exploitation, estb communist gov.

Existing Radical Groups in BangladeshExisting Radical Groups in Bangladesh

Existing Radical Groups in BangladeshExisting Radical Groups in Bangladesh

Name of the Organization

Date of establishment

Est. Strength

Status Operates Aims & Remarks

Shahadat al Hiqma

1996 n.k A N. Bng Liberation struggle.

Shanti Bahini, Peace force

1976 3000 D Bng Fight for autonomy of CHT, armed wing of Parbatyia Chattagram Jana Samhati Samity. Disbanded 1998 with possible remaining cells.

Borok National Council of Tripura

2000 n.k A Bng & Ind Splinter of separatist National Liberation front of Tripura.

Rohingya Solidarity Organization

1982 100-200+ A Bng & Myanmar

Separate states for Rohingya Muslims in Arakan region of Myanmar.

Causes of RadicalizationCauses of RadicalizationWidespread Poverty. 56 Million People live under poverty line.Social Inequality and Deprivation (2000-2005, number of Hard Core Poor People Increased 3 Million).Large Youth Population and Unemployment.Confused religious identity. Unregulated Money flowLack of Freedom, Democracy and Political Space.Poor governance and the failure of the state to deliver.Politicization of Islam.

External FactorsExternal Factors

Influence of International Terrorist Groups.

External FactorsExternal Factors

The notion of the clash of civilization

The perception of the International Context

External FactorsExternal Factors

The concept of “Islam under Attack”

The Impact of Strategic The Impact of Strategic CommunicationCommunication

Thank YouThank You

Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS)