Global Watch | Born In Pakistan, HUJI Turns Bangladesh Into Battleground For Jihad

While HUJI-B’s influence is waning, its ideological and operational connections to al-Qaeda and other jihadist groups make it a potential flashpoint for future violence, particularly as global jihadist movements remain active in the region

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One of the most prominent leaders of HUJI-B, Mufti Abdul Hannan, was the founder and former leader of the group. (Image: AFP)

After the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, Bangladesh, under the leadership of its Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has become a hub of radical Islamists and terrorist groups that pose not only a danger to regional peace and security but also a grave threat to global peace and security. This is Part 2 of the multi-part series that profiles some of the key terrorist and Islamist outfits active in Bangladesh, resulting in pogrom of Hindus and other minorities. These radical Islamist groups have systematically targeted political opponents. All of them have close ties with Pakistan and the global terror network.

Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HUJI-B) is a Bangladesh-based terrorist group with ties to al-Qaeda. It operates primarily in South Asia, advocating for the establishment of an Islamic state through jihad. Originally founded as a part of the larger Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HUJI), which was based in Pakistan, HUJI-B emerged as a distinct organisation in Bangladesh during the 1990s.

BRIEF HISTORY AND CURRENT STATE

• Formation and Early Years: HUJI-B was formed in the early 1990s, in the aftermath of the Soviet-Afghan War, by Bangladeshi jihadists who had fought in Afghanistan under the banner of the global jihadist movement. It was initially inspired by the global jihadist ideology of al-Qaeda and sought to establish an Islamic caliphate in Bangladesh. The group’s first major operations were aimed at supporting the mujahideen in Kashmir, as part of its broader anti-Indian agenda.
• Growth and Influence: During the late 1990s and early 2000s, HUJI-B gained a foothold in Bangladesh, leveraging the political instability and the growth of Islamic radicalism in the region. The group carried out several attacks against secular targets, and its leadership maintained ties with global jihadist organizations, including al-Qaeda.
• Recent Developments: In the 2010s, the group faced increased scrutiny and action from Bangladeshi law enforcement. Several leaders and operatives were arrested or killed in counterterrorism operations. The group’s activities in Bangladesh have since diminished, though it still exists on the periphery of the country’s militant landscape. HUJI-B has maintained its commitment to global jihad but has been overshadowed by other groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates.
• Current State: The operational capacity of HUJI-B has significantly reduced in Bangladesh due to effective counterterrorism efforts. However, the group still has a presence, primarily in the form of smaller cells and sleeper operatives. Its ideological influence persists through its online propaganda and recruitment efforts.

PROMINENT LEADERS AND CURRENT LEADERSHIP

• Mufti Abdul Hannan: One of the most prominent leaders of HUJI-B, Mufti Abdul Hannan, was the founder and former leader of the group. He was involved in several high-profile attacks, including the 2004 attack on the then British High Commissioner in Dhaka. Hannan was arrested in 2005 and sentenced to death for his involvement in the 2004 bombing and other terrorist activities. He was executed in 2017.
• Shahidul Islam: A senior leader within the group, Shahidul Islam was reportedly involved in the planning of several attacks and recruitment drives for HUJI-B. He was arrested in 2005 and has since been imprisoned, though his network continues to operate covertly.
• Current Leadership: The current leadership of HUJI-B remains fragmented. After the arrest or death of several key leaders, the group has decentralized its operations. The leadership now likely consists of several smaller cells and local commanders who continue to espouse the group’s jihadist ideology. Given the group’s reduced operational presence, the identities of these leaders are often difficult to confirm.

IDEOLOGY OR STATED AIM

HUJI-B adheres to the ideology of global jihadism, which seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate governed by Sharia law. Its core beliefs include:

• Jihad as a Religious Obligation
• Establishment of an Islamic State ruled by Sharia law.
• Support for the Kashmir Jihad
• Anti-Western and Anti-India sentiment and belief that violence against them is justified.

TEACHING OR SCHOOL OF THOUGHT

HUJI-B follows a Salafi-jihadist ideology, which is a strict and purist interpretation of Sunni Islam.

CHRONOLOGICAL DETAILS OF ANTI-STATE OR ANTI-INDIA ACTIVITY

• 2000–2004: During its early years, HUJI-B was involved in a series of attacks against secular and minority targets in Bangladesh, as well as against Indian interests. The group’s activities were initially focused on Kashmir, where it provided logistical support to insurgents fighting Indian forces.
• 2004: HUJI-B’s most infamous attack was the 2004 attack on the British High Commissioner in Dhaka. The bombing, which was aimed at the British diplomat, led to several casualties and marked the group as a major threat within Bangladesh. The attack was seen as part of HUJI-B’s broader anti-Western and anti-government agenda.
• 2005: HUJI-B was involved in a series of bombings across Bangladesh in 2005. These attacks targeted government offices and public spaces, seeking to destabilize the state and promote the imposition of Sharia law. The government responded by cracking down on the group, leading to several key arrests.
• 2010: The group’s presence was linked to the rise of Islamist extremism in the region. However, counterterrorism operations weakened its operational capacity, and most of its leadership was either captured or killed.
• Post-2010: While the group has not conducted major attacks recently, its ideology continues to influence smaller cells. These cells may still conduct localized attacks, particularly against secular targets or foreign nationals, and have a continued focus on undermining Bangladesh’s secular government and targeting Indian interests.

THREAT ASSESSMENT

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• To Bangladesh: HUJI-B remains a security threat to Bangladesh, particularly in the form of smaller, decentralized cells that can carry out sporadic attacks. The group’s ideological roots make it a persistent risk, especially in times of political instability or when the government fails to address socio-economic grievances.
• To India: HUJI-B continues to pose a threat to Indian interests, particularly in Kashmir. While its operational capacity in India is limited, its alliances with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) mean that it could collaborate with other groups to carry out attacks on Indian soil.
• To Communities: The most vulnerable communities to HUJI-B’s activities are secular Bangladeshis, Shia Muslims, Hindus, and other religious minorities. The group’s strict interpretation of Islam leads to targeted violence against those who are deemed “apostates" or “non-believers."
• Potential Future Threats: While HUJI-B’s influence is waning, its ideological and operational connections to al-Qaeda and other jihadist groups make it a potential flashpoint for future violence, particularly as global jihadist movements remain active in the region.

The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.

Location :
New Delhi, India, India

First Published:
April 11, 2025, 10:50 IST