Terrorism in Bangladesh: Minimal Threat Yet New Trend of Cyber Radicalization and Migration

The terrorism scene in Bangladesh remains predominantly tranquil, with no significant assaults occurring since the 2016 siege of the “Holey Artisan Bakery”, as it has been almost 9 years since this vicious attack took place.  

The rise of cyber radicalization and sporadic cases of youth traveling to affiliate with groups like Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) underscore evolving concerns, it came into the attention of public media.  The implementation of routine security operations, community policing initiatives, and heightened surveillance of public spaces has fostered a climate of minimal threat in Bangladesh. Public perception has also been positively enhanced by efforts from law enforcement, which has instilled confidence in citizens. However, several challenges remain, and a new trend of migration beyond borders has emerged.

In July 2025, the Anti-Terrorism Unit apprehended Ahmed Faisal in Savar, who purportedly had ties to TTP, and seized encrypted communications and recruitment documents. Shamin Mahfuz, the founder of Jamaat al Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya, was re-arrested in June 2023 over the same allegation. News reports by the BBC and The Dissent revealed that youths have already travelled to Pakistan and joined the TTP- a new trend that Bangladesh has not experienced in decades. Yet, the number of migrants can be estimated to be below double digits, and two of them have died fighting, with the earliest case to be found back in 2023, when a family migrated to Pakistan to join the TTP.

Besides, during the political upheaval of 2024, also known as “Monsoon Revolution,”  disruptions occurred in prisons across many areas, resulting in the escape of some condemned terrorists from high-security prisons. Furthermore, amid the initial chaos, Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HTB) re-accelerated their online and offline propaganda activities that subsequently turned into a protest, ultimately foiled by law enforcement, with at least 36 members arrested.

Conversely, Bangladesh has implemented a zero-tolerance stance towards violent extremism, which has prompted the establishment of essential legislation and operational frameworks. The interim government reiterated this policy and took action on different occasions when the extremist outfits tried to crawl out of the shadows.

Looking back at the attack on Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1, 2016, during which five assailants murdered 29 individuals before elite troops intervened and concluded the siege, was the bloodiest incident in Bangladesh’s recent history. No mass attack of that magnitude has occurred since. Intelligence-driven operations generally executed by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and additional forces, including the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) division, have dismantled numerous cells, confiscated arsenals, and arrested key operators. Bangladesh’s court has sentenced almost 7 people to death related to this incident.

Although the majority of prison escapees were promptly apprehended, several top terrorists remain fugitives. Furthermore, judicial bail decisions, while constitutionally required for all detainees, have at times resulted in the release of high-risk alleged offenders, who are claimed to be under surveillance by the government to mitigate the risk.

However, the digital realm is evolving into a breeding ground for radical indoctrination. Organizations such as the TTP and Hizb Ut-Tahrir are massively exploiting social media algorithms to disseminate customized multimedia propaganda. Expertly crafted videos portray foreign “mujahideen” as heroic figures. The terrorist groups often use encrypted communication channels such as “Telegram” and “WhatsApp” groups provide “training modules” and recruitment solicitations. Webinars and Virtual Workshops are other modes of such manoeuvres. Radical ideas and propaganda have been circulated on social media in recent times.

A 2022 study by Trunojoyo University indicates that narratives appealing to emotions on social grievances, identity, and aspirations for a utopian caliphate continue to strongly resonate with disaffected urban youth, hence exacerbating distant radicalization efforts.

In early 2025, a 22-year-old native of Dhaka travelled to North Waziristan after contacting TTP recruiters online and was subsequently slain during a Pakistani military operation in Karak District. A young man from Madaripur travelled to the Gulf in search of a purported employment opportunity and, after several months, appeared at TTP training camps. Besides, several Bengali TTP joiners can also be found maintaining their own profiles and pages on social media, continuously propagating and providing daily updates with a motivation to recruit more vulnerable youth. Accelerated cyber radicalization and transborder ‘terror’ migration, therefore, has become a new trend for Bangladesh’s terrorism discourse at present.

To tackle the evolving threats, Bangladesh must strengthen its efforts across five tiers of its counter-terrorism framework. To begin with, enhancing cyber patrol and counter terrorism, which includes extensive use of data analytics and open-source intelligence. To counter the radicalization effort, collaboration with social media companies at the national level is required to expedite the removal of extremist material and develop capabilities for identifying terrorist content. Initiating a counter-narrative against the radical ideas is a must, which requires employing reputable religious leaders and civil society activists to combat internet propaganda.

Enhancing border management and travel monitoring, and utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to flag suspicious travel, such as one-way or multi-city routes, particularly those involving frequent travel to war zones, is required.

After that, coordination with regional actors (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India) is essential. Lastly, the Government may decide to implement Community-Centric Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). The government must engage with NGOs, local imams, and educators, and conduct resilience-building workshops in vulnerable districts; and enhance deradicalization centres that integrate religious re-education with psychological support and family mediation.

The phenomena of cyber radicalization and the use of internet platforms in facilitating young recruitment towards TTP camps are serious issues that may undermine our national security. By enhancing digital surveillance, fortifying borders, reforming judicial and correctional systems, engaging in community outreach through CVE programs, and fostering foreign partnerships, Bangladesh can pre-emptively mitigate threats and safeguard its vulnerable youth from the allure of extremism, thereby preserving the peace.

Sent-in by: Jaidul Karim Iram

Author's Bio: Jaidul Karim Iram has completed his graduation and post-graduation from the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka. He has also worked as a Junior Executive/Young Professional in an NGO in the Research and Innovation department, participated in several MUN competitions in national levels. Jaidul has also been engaged with several voluntary activities, participated in two major international conferences abroad during his university tenure and worked as a youth advocate for human rights in Bangladesh. He is currently working as an “Executive Officer” at the People’s University of Bangladesh. Apart from that, Jaidul Karim Iram has taken part in several training programs and received certifications from reputed institutions. 

As a passionate researcher a dedicated worker, Jaidul Karim Iram thrives to acquire more knowledge and experience in future endeavors. 

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