The Voice News: Dhaka, May 29, 2025 – In a provocative address in Gujranwala, Pakistan, on May 28, Muzammil Hazmi—an internationally designated terrorist and leader of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—claimed that his organization played a central role in the 2024 uprising that unseated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. His statement has sparked deep concerns across South Asia about foreign interference in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
LeT Boasts of Toppling Hasina’s Government
Hazmi’s fiery speech, widely circulated on social media and cited by Indian news outlets, directly challenged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming, “We defeated you in Bangladesh last year.” He framed Hasina’s ouster as a strategic victory for LeT, linking it to the group’s broader campaign against India. The declaration followed Indian military strikes on LeT camps in Muridke earlier this month, in response to a deadly attack in Pahalgam allegedly carried out by LeT-linked operatives.
LeT, notorious for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been designated a terrorist organization by the UN and multiple countries. Its potential involvement in Bangladesh’s internal upheaval signals a bold escalation of its operational reach.
The July Movement: Homegrown Protests or Foreign-Backed Uprising?
The student-led “July Movement” began as a protest against Bangladesh’s controversial job quota system but quickly evolved into a mass revolt against Hasina’s long-standing rule, tainted by allegations of authoritarianism and corruption. The uprising culminated in her resignation on August 5, 2024, following a military withdrawal of support. The UN estimated around 1,400 casualties during the unrest, marking one of the country’s most violent political transitions.
While the movement appeared domestically driven, Hazmi’s claims hint at deeper foreign manipulation. LeT’s known presence in Bangladesh—through networks linked to Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ahl-e-Hadith groups—supports the possibility of covert influence.
Bangladesh: A Vulnerable Node in LeT’s Strategy
Security experts warn that Bangladesh’s porous borders and political instability have long made it a strategic hub for LeT. The group has allegedly used the country to smuggle weapons, counterfeit currency, and explosives, aiding its broader anti-India agenda, particularly in Kashmir. Its charitable wing, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, has also been linked to recruitment and fundraising activities in the region.
In May 2025, two Pakistan-trained operatives were arrested near the India-Bangladesh border, suspected of LeT ties. Earlier reports, including from Navbharat Times, revealed an increase in LeT recruitment within Bangladesh following Hasina’s ouster and the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Compounding concerns, The Economic Times recently reported an alleged meeting between a legal advisor to the Yunus administration and known LeT operative Harun Izhar—fueling speculation about potential backchannel coordination.
Islamist Resurgence and Regional Implications
The rise of Islamist groups such as Hefazat-e-Islam and JMB under the interim administration has further complicated the security environment. These groups share ideological affinities with LeT, advocating for an Islamic state in Bangladesh and supporting anti-India rhetoric.
In a related development, Indian authorities in West Bengal arrested three JMB operatives in May 2025 with suspected links to LeT. They reportedly planned to procure arms for “Ghazwatul Hind,” an ideological campaign centered on Islamic conquest narratives, often promoted by LeT.
Pakistan’s diplomatic and intelligence engagement in Bangladesh has also intensified. The Pakistani ambassador has reportedly held numerous meetings with Islamist leaders, while the ISI-backed Al Khidmat Foundation—ostensibly operating as a humanitarian NGO—has been accused of using Rohingya refugee aid channels in Chittagong to recruit and radicalize youth.
Historical Ties and Strategic Disruption
LeT’s historical alliances with groups like Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) reveal longstanding ambitions to reshape Bangladesh’s political fabric along Islamist lines. Reports from 2004 documented the group’s mass recruitment efforts from South Asian madrassas, a strategy that appears to be resurfacing.
The interim Yunus administration has faced criticism for its failure to address the resurgence of militant activity. Allegations of financial links between government officials and extremist groups, particularly through individuals like Mazhar Khan, have only deepened suspicions of state-level tolerance or complicity.
India on Alert as Hasina Alleges Conspiracy
In exile in New Delhi, Sheikh Hasina has accused the interim government of aligning with foreign interests, including the U.S. and Pakistan. She has also warned of strategic concessions such as the rumored handover of control of St. Martin’s Island.
India, facing renewed threats from LeT, is expected to intensify border security operations and counterterrorism surveillance. New Delhi sees these developments as part of a broader campaign by Pakistan to destabilize the region through asymmetric and ideological warfare.
Conclusion: A Precarious Crossroads for Bangladesh
As Bangladesh navigates this uncertain political transition, LeT’s apparent involvement represents a serious threat to national and regional stability. Hazmi’s unverified but unsettling claim underscores the urgency for the interim government to act decisively against militant networks and restore democratic legitimacy through transparent elections.
The international community must remain alert to prevent Bangladesh from becoming another theater for proxy conflict, driven by extremist agendas and geopolitical rivalries.
