Counterterrorism Blog

A day after three bombs exploded almost simultaneously in three railway stations on May 01, Bangladesh security forces put on a state of high alert across the country. The blasts that went off at Dhaka's Kamalapur station, Northeastern Sylhet station and Southeast Chittagong station though did not inflict much damage as far as fatalities are concerned, it certainly reminded the establishment of August 17, 2005 country wide serial blasts. These blasts left at least one injured but triggered panic among rail commuters clearly showed that the intention was not to kill but to proclaim the arrival of emerging Islamist outfit.

One hither to unknown group Jadid Al-Qaeda (Jadid (Arabic) means NEW) believed to be behind Tuesday’s serial blasts. This was apparently evident from the findings from the blast sites. Investigating agencies found aluminum plates inscribed with a warning message in Bengali language, both in blast site at Dhaka and Sylhet. One sheet was reportedly signed ‘al Qaeda network’ while the other was signed ‘Jadid Al Qaeda.’ The literary translation of one part of the warning message, in English reads something like this: “If Prophet Mohammad is not declared the superman of the World by May 10, all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be blown up.” It also threatened minority Ahmadiyya (also known as Kadiyanis) Muslim sect of dire consequence if they failed to recognize Muhammad as the last and best prophet.

Why the messages singled out NGOs and Ahmadiyas? What message the perpetrators wanted to convey?

More plausibly, the Islamic militants operating in the country are averse to NGO activities largely for their western funding and advocacy considered un-Islamic, like the use of condom, birth control pill, education, veil and many other things. Regarding anti–Ahmediya feelings which are widespread in Bangladesh (and also in Pakistan), in the past, even political parties in Bangladesh like Islamic Okiyo Jote, had considered declaring Ahmediyas as non-Muslims and even some fundamentalist elements in the government and outside, facilitated vandalism at Ahmediya mosques and other religion establishments in the country. They (Ahmediyas) do not accept Mohammad as Islam’s final prophet. This belief put them in trouble against the majority Sunni Muslims who believe Mohammad, the founder of Islam as prophet and messiah.

There is every chance that Taliban linked JMB affiliates and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami-Bangladesh (HuJI-B) are regrouping under this new banner after the RAB crackdowns and the executions of top Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) leaderships recently. Both groups along with others have been trying to introduce sharia law or Islamic law in Bangladesh. However, these types of blasts are not typical Al Qaeda’s signature strike. Perhaps, some local inspired fundamentalist elements colluding with Uzbek and Taliban elements linked to al Qaeda (e.g. Hizb ut-Tahrir-Bangladesh) taking this nomenclature of Jadid, trying to send a message across, to the sympathizer Jihadi/Islamist elements to raise funds, logistics and operational support. Not to forget, in late March 2007, Bangladesh security forces arrested over twenty people with suspected links to Hizbut Tahrir from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area, mostly students of Dhaka and other Universities.

Now, all apprehensions and speculations aside, Bangladesh terror watchers are waiting for May 10 and beyond to know more about this new terror incarnation and its activities, while investigating agencies are probing any link with the Al Qaeda and looking for a woman suspects who, according to eyewitness, gave the explosive laden bag to the only injured man in these blasts.