A recent intelligence report from the Border Security Force (BSF) has uncovered the involvement of Bangladeshi terrorist organizations in the recent outbreak of violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal. The report specifically points to Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) as the orchestrators of the riots, raising serious concerns about cross-border terrorism and its impact on India’s internal security.
According to the BSF intelligence, JMB and ABT allegedly conspired to incite violence in Murshidabad by activating their sleeper cells in India. The groups reportedly targeted youths aged between 12 and 25 years living along the border areas of Murshidabad, using video calls to mobilize them. Additionally, the terror outfits spread misinformation regarding the Waqf Amendment Act, further fueling unrest in the region. The violence that ensued prompted a swift response from the Indian government, with the Home Ministry deploying central paramilitary forces to restore order. Nine companies of the BSF and six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been stationed in the affected areas, while the West Bengal Police has formed a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incidents.
Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)
JMB is a notorious Bangladeshi terrorist organization known for its extremist ideology and violent activities. The group has a history of receiving financial support from officers at the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, a connection that was confirmed as early as 2015. JMB has been linked to several terror attacks in Bangladesh and has sought to expand its influence into India, particularly in border states like West Bengal. The group’s involvement in the Murshidabad violence underscores its ongoing efforts to destabilize the region through radicalization and violence.
Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT)
ABT, another Bangladeshi terror outfit, has a significant presence across India, with its members operating in states such as Assam, Kerala, and West Bengal. In 2023, several ABT operatives were arrested in these regions, highlighting the group’s expanding footprint. In 2024, reports emerged of a collaboration between ABT and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), with the two groups allegedly working together to undermine the government of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. This partnership has raised alarm bells in India, given LeT’s long history of targeting Indian interests.
The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammad Yunus, has faced criticism for its decision to lift the ban on both JMB and ABT following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s administration. Leaders of both organizations were subsequently released from jail, a move that has emboldened these groups to escalate their activities. The BSF report suggests that this policy shift has directly contributed to the recent violence in Murshidabad, as JMB and ABT have leveraged their newfound freedom to orchestrate attacks and spread chaos across the border.
The involvement of JMB and ABT in the Murshidabad violence poses significant security challenges for India, particularly in the context of its porous border with Bangladesh: The ability of JMB and ABT to activate sleeper cells in India highlights the ongoing threat of cross-border terrorism. The 1,200-km border between West Bengal and Bangladesh, much of which is unfenced and difficult to monitor, provides ample opportunities for infiltration and the movement of radicalized individuals. The targeting of young individuals through video calls and misinformation campaigns indicates a deliberate strategy to radicalize vulnerable populations. This poses a long-term threat to social cohesion in border areas, where economic deprivation and communal tensions can be easily exploited. Murshidabad, a district with a significant minority population and a history of communal tensions, is particularly susceptible to such violence. The unrest could further strain communal relations in West Bengal, potentially leading to broader instability in the state. The collaboration between ABT and LeT, coupled with JMB’s ties to Pakistani entities, underscores the nexus between Bangladeshi and Pakistani terror groups. This alliance threatens India’s security, as both LeT and Pakistani intelligence have a history of targeting India, including in high-profile attacks like the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The interim government’s decision to lift the ban on JMB and ABT complicates India’s relationship with Bangladesh. While India has historically enjoyed strong ties with Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina, the current administration’s policies may strain bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism, a critical area of collaboration between the two nations.
The Murshidabad violence, driven by JMB and ABT, is a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism inIndian subcontinent. For India, the incident highlights the need for enhanced border security, improved intelligence-sharing with Bangladesh, and proactive measures to counter radicalization among vulnerable populations. The deployment of BSF and CRPF units, along with the formation of an SIT, is a step in the right direction, but addressing the root causes of such violence will require sustained diplomatic and security efforts. As Bangladesh navigates its political transition, India must remain vigilant to prevent further escalation of terror activities that could undermine regional stability.