New Deaths Expose Bangladeshis in Pakistan’s Taliban Network

September 30, 2025

Bangladeshi youth Faisal Hossain Morol was killed fighting alongside Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during clashes with Pakistani security forces in September, 2025. Photo: X/MahazOfficial1

Summary

At least two young Bangladeshis have died recently while fighting alongside the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports BBC Bangla. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi police arrested two suspects in July with alleged links to the group, thereby exposing a concerning cross-border recruitment pipeline.

Drawing on police case files and security officials, the report reveals this network—spearheaded by a figure known as “engineer” Imran Haider—systematically channels recruits through Saudi Arabia or Dubai to conflict zones in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Analysts emphasize a long-standing pattern of Bangladeshi militants aligning with transnational jihadist groups. In addition, human rights advocates warn that despite tighter domestic counter-terrorism controls, extremist mobilization remains a persistent threat.

Context

The reported deaths of two Bangladeshi youths in Pakistan’s tribal belt—Ahmed Jubair in April and Faisal from Madaripur in September—have reignited concerns over transnational extremist pipelines. Police case files and anti-terror units suggest that recruits often transit through Saudi Arabia or Dubai before entering Pakistan or Afghanistan, mirroring patterns of “jihadi tourism” seen since the early 2000s.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), founded in 2007 by Baitullah Mehsud, has historically recruited fighters beyond Pakistan, including Central Asia and Bangladesh. Its longstanding links with al-Qaeda amplify the ideological and operational appeal to foreign recruits.

Bangladesh has faced its own militant ecosystem: Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansar al-Islam, and Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya—all of which have been tied to global jihadist networks. In 2023, Bangladeshi police reported that Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya maintained operational links with al-Qaeda affiliates, overlapping with TTP’s networks.

Regionally, TTP has escalated attacks on Pakistani military units, police, schools, and mosques. Islamabad’s failed 2014 peace talks with the group continue to haunt Pakistan’s security establishment, while new intelligence-sharing arrangements show Dhaka is increasingly drawn into this conflict. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed the deaths of Bangladeshis in Waziristan operations, while independent think tanks such as the International Crisis Group and Observer Research Foundation note that Gulf transit hubs—particularly under the guise of religious pilgrimage or migrant labor—remain critical conduits for recruitment.

Historically, Bangladeshis were involved in the Afghan jihad of the 1980s–90s, with some returnees later forming militant cells at home. Security officials warn that despite police crackdowns, Pakistan-based groups continue to view Bangladesh as a steady manpower pool. Intelligence cooperation between Islamabad and Dhaka has reportedly intensified following the July 2025 arrests, but questions remain over how deeply embedded these recruitment networks are inside Bangladesh’s religious and migrant communities.

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Editorial Intelligence Report

Investigative / Security Analysis — Focuses on facts from police, case files, and security agencies without sensational overreach.

High. The report relies on official police case documents (First Information Report – FIR), statements from a senior police official, and analysis from a recognized human rights and militancy expert. The BBC’s reputation for verification adds weight.

Neutral — The report avoids political or religious framing, emphasizing security and law enforcement.

Concerned / Alert – The tone is cautious, highlighting a concerning trend of cross-border militancy and its implications for national and regional security.

Mostly Balanced. It incorporates official police narratives, expert analysis, and specific allegations from legal documents. A direct quote from the accused or their representatives is absent, which is typical in ongoing terror-related cases.

Police case files, Pakistani ISPR, intelligence leaks, security experts, human rights advocates.

Formal / Investigative. The language is precise and fact-based, avoiding sensationalism while detailing a serious security issue.

Reflects content. The Bengali headline accurately poses the central question explored in the body of the report.

High. This directly involves transnational terrorism, affecting security dynamics in South Asia (Pakistan, Afghanistan, India). It engages global counter-terrorism frameworks and intelligence cooperation, making it relevant to international security agencies, diplomats, and regional analysts.

Potential over-reliance on law enforcement narratives;
Lack of testimony from independent militant or their representative;
Risk of securitization narrative overshadowing socio-economic drivers of radicalization.

Business Implications

Labor Migration & Visa Scrutiny: Skilled and unskilled Bangladeshi workers face higher friction abroad. Gulf hubs like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, along with Pakistan, are likely to impose stricter vetting—longer visa processing, more interviews, and tighter restrictions. This may slow remittance flows and increase costs for recruiters.
Diplomatic Leverage & Relations: The incident could strain ties with Pakistan but also strengthens Dhaka’s hand. Bangladesh can press for deeper intelligence cooperation with Islamabad and Washington, while positioning itself to the U.S., EU, UN, and India as a frontline counterterrorism partner—potentially attracting aid and goodwill.
Financial Sector & Compliance: The route (Bangladesh → Gulf → Pakistan) is a classic terror-financing red flag. Banks and remittance services will face mandatory enhanced due diligence, higher compliance costs, and the risk of de-risking if lapses occur.
Investment & Sovereign Risk: Bangladesh’s image as a secure investment hub may suffer if framed as a jihad recruitment pool. Multinationals may revise risk models, raising capital costs. Long-term FDI in sectors like energy and infrastructure could slow amid investor caution.
Domestic Security & Operations: Authorities are likely to expand monitoring of religious institutions, charities, travel agencies, and digital channels. While this may strengthen counterterrorism, it risks tension with religious groups and civil society, impacting trust and rights narratives.
Security-Tech & Consultancy Opportunities: The case creates demand for risk intelligence, digital forensics, and secure travel services. Governments and corporations will seek advanced tools and consultants to counter radicalization and recruitment threats.

Potential Angles to Monitor

Interview Bangladeshi law enforcement officials (CTTC, ATU) on how recruitment routes are identified and disrupted.
Speak with migration and labor rights groups on whether TTP-linked travel overlaps with legal Gulf migration channels.
Seek insights from Pakistani security analysts (Islamabad-based think tanks) on why TTP seeks Bangladeshi recruits.
Ask former militants or de-radicalization program participants about motivations for joining foreign jihadist groups.
Explore with human rights defenders whether expanded counterterrorism measures risk profiling innocent migrants.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)?

The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban, is a coalition of militant groups formed in 2007. Its primary goal is to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish its interpretation of Sharia law within Pakistan. It is distinct from but aligned with the Afghan Taliban.

Is this the first time Bangladeshi nationals have been linked to foreign militant groups?

No. Security agencies and researchers have documented links between Bangladeshi militants and groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan for over a decade. Previous instances include recruitment for groups like Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Islamic State (IS).

How are Bangladeshis joining TTP?

Police allege networks recruit in Bangladesh, transit recruits through Saudi Arabia or Dubai, and route them to Afghanistan/Pakistan. Some cases involve cover trips for Umrah or overseas labor migration.

How many Bangladeshis are currently fighting abroad?

Exact figures are unknown. Reports suggest dozens may be linked to TTP or affiliated groups, with recent confirmed deaths in Waziristan.

What is the Bangladesh government’s policy towards such cross-border militancy?

Bangladeshi police have arrested suspects, expanded surveillance, and launched terrorism cases. Intelligence sharing with Pakistan has increased. The Bangladesh government maintains a “zero-tolerance” policy towards terrorism and militancy. Its approach combines assertive counter-terrorism operations by specialized police units, legal prosecution under anti-terrorism statutes, and some deradicalization initiatives, though the latter component is less emphasized.