From ICA Bangladesh

By M. Azizur Rahman

Introduction

Research and advocacy is one of three key areas of ICA Bangladesh’s human development work. Since 2004, some important issues like HIV/AIDS, deforestation, and crime and policing were focused in its research and advocacy programs. Religious militancy and terrorism, one of the socio-political concerns of Bangladesh today, are the most under-researched topics here. This article is about a study project recently conducted on the topic by ICA Bangladesh with a research grant of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), Planning Ministry of the Government.

Project Description

The main purpose of the study entitled “Understanding religious militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh” is to document and highlight the problem in Bangladesh. It examined the extent and nature of various Islamist militant groups and their terrorist activities here. It also looked at the underlying factors of militancy, the funding sources, and the strategies and techniques used by terrorist groups. Recommendations were made on how best to address the menace of militancy and terrorism.

The study mainly used content analysis of secondary sources (media reports, books, magazines, research reports and internet publications) and expert interviews. We looked at two widely circulated newspapers – the Ittefaq and the Daily Star – issued between 2001 and 2010. Two others - the Daily Prothom Alo and the New Age along with other other sources such as South Asia Terrorism Portal were used to supplement the data. Eight experts representing law enforcement practioners, security research organizations, human rights organizations, academics and civil society members were interviewed on terrorism in Bangladesh. Based on secondary analysis, case studies on five convicted militants were done to explore their level of involvement, leadership, justice response and media coverage.

While Bangladesh has been facing leftwing extremist and ethnic militancy since its independance, religious militancy has posed serious threats to national security, public safety and economic development. Immediately after the 9/11 US attack, Bangladesh was presented by the international media as a new hub of terrorism after Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The study found Islamist extremism and militant activities rose dramatically from 1999 to 2005, but the presence of Islamist terrorist outfits and groups can be traced back

to the 1990s. Islamist militancy has become a serious law and order issue after the nationwide serial bomb blasts in August 2005. Bangladesh has not seeen any major terror attacks since 2006. The study also found it has not been rated as a terror-risk country in recent years. However, the government is very serious about addressing the problem of militancy and terrorism.

The study could not find the exact number of militant groups or outfits. From media reports alone, it identified 68 outfits, both homegrown and international. Many of these outfits change names or reorganize in different names. The study revealed that JMB (Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh), JMJB (Jagrata Muslima Janata Bangladesh), HUJI-B (Harkatul Jiahad al Islami Bangladesh) AHAB (hle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh), (HuT), Hizbut Tahrir (HuT) and HT (Hizb-ut Towhid) are the major terrorist groups with thousands of militant members. JMB has almost one million members (full-time and part-time), HUJI has more than 25,000 activists and JMJB over 30,000 militants.

The study showed that during the period 1999-2010, Islamist militants carried over 203 attacks, killing 164 innocent people and injuring more than 2658 people. From 2005 to 2010, 25 terrorists were killed. The content analysis of media reports showed that most of these attacks targetted the rallies of political parties (Awami League, Communist Party of Bangladesh, cultural groups (Udichi, Shatadal), cultural celebrations and fairs (new year, fair, jatra, circus, international trade fair), urs (death anniversaries of saints), Ahmadia mosques, churches, intellectuals, diplomats, movie theatres and NGO offices. JMB alone reportedly carried out over 100 operations. Most of these attacks involved bomb explosions and grenade.

The study revealed that homegrown militant outfits have links with regional and international militant networks. Some of these militant outfits and their leaders were linked with three major political parties – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB) and Islami Oikyo Jote (IOJ). During the BNP-led alliance government, political patronization was reportedly blamed for the rise of militancy, extremism and radicalization.

These militant outfits and their leaders were linked to financiers from several countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan to which they travelled in different times. Bangladeshi militants received funds from individuals and charity organizations based in the Gulf countries, USA, UK and EU. Madrassa students were also engaged in collecting tolls and among other sources –