Dhaka, July 15, 2025 —
Veteran Bangladeshi militant Shamin Mahfuz has been arrested once again, this time over suspected links to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned extremist group operating along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The arrest was made in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) at Savar Model Police Station. A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for interrogation.
TTP Connection: A New Twist
Although not initially listed as an accused in the case filed on July 5, Mahfuz is suspected of active involvement in TTP’s regional network. The case, filed by ATU Inspector Abdul Mannan, named six others: Faisal, Al Imran alias Engineer Imran Haider, Rezaul Karim Abrar, Asif Adnan, Jakaria Masud, and Sanaf Hossain—all accused of being affiliated with TTP.
“Shamin Mahfuz was shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act for suspected ties with TTP,” said SP Mahfuzul Alam Russell, spokesperson for ATU’s Media and Awareness Division. Mahfuz had recently been released on bail in a previous terrorism case before being rearrested by RAB-11 from Narayanganj.
Faisal’s Confession: A Journey to Jihad
The investigation gained momentum following the arrest of Faisal, a 33-year-old telecom shop owner from Savar, who confessed to traveling to Afghanistan via Pakistan under TTP influence.
Faisal admitted that he and his associate Ahmed Jubayer Yuvraj left for Saudi Arabia in October 2024 for Umrah. From there, they traveled to Pakistan, entered Afghanistan through the Torkham border, and joined TTP operatives. Yuvraj was reportedly killed in a military operation in Waziristan. Faisal returned to Bangladesh via Dubai in mid-November.
He also identified Imran Haider as a key figure in radicalizing and recruiting Bangladeshi youths for TTP’s cause. Several of his associates, including Rezaul, Asif, Jakaria, and Sanaf, were allegedly preparing to join jihadist activities.
Notorious Past of Shamin Mahfuz
Mahfuz, long known to counterterrorism officials, was arrested along with his wife in June 2023. He was identified as the founder of Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, an extremist group that collaborated with the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF)—a separatist outfit active in the Chittagong Hill Tracts—for joint militant training.
That marked his third arrest on extremism-related charges.
From Scholar to Extremist Leader
Shamin Mahfuz, an alumnus of Rangpur Cadet College, earned top results in both SSC (1992) and HSC (1994) before studying Sociology at Dhaka University. He worked as a teacher at a private college and later at Bangladesh Open University, earning the nickname “Sir” among militant circles.
His university ties led him to Nathan Bom, now the chief of KNF. Investigators believe Mahfuz used his academic background as a cover to radicalize and recruit others.
Chronology of Arrests
2011: First arrested in Bandarban for militant activities disguised as “research and farming”
2014: Arrested from Jatrabari, Dhaka
2018: Released on bail; allegedly began rebuilding militant operations
2023: Arrested with his wife over links to Jamaatul Ansar
2025: Rearrested for suspected involvement with TTP
About TTP
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a Pakistan-based jihadist group accused of carrying out deadly attacks on civilians and security forces. The group operates primarily in the tribal belt near the Afghanistan border and has ties to global terrorist organizations.
