counter-terrorism operations
ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC)unit has arrested two Bangladeshi nationals in separate operations fortheir suspected affiliation with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP), officials confirmed on Thursday.
The detainees have been identified as Faisal, 32, and Shamin Mahfuz, 28.According to law-enforcement sources, both individuals were activelypropagating TTP ideology through social media platforms and were in contactwith handlers believed to be operating from across the border.Investigators recovered digital material, including propaganda videos andrecruitment messages, from their possession.
The arrests took place in Dhaka and Chattogram over the past week duringcoordinated raids conducted by the CTTC. Authorities described theoperations as pre-emptive measures aimed at disrupting potential terrornetworks before they could execute any plans on Bangladeshi soil.
Senior CTTC officials told reporters that the suspects had expressedallegiance to TTP leadership and were attempting to establish sleepercells. One of the detainees is alleged to have received instructionsthrough encrypted applications, while the other was reportedly raisingfunds for the outlawed organisation.
The development underscores growing concern among regional intelligenceagencies about the expanding reach of TTP beyond Pakistan’s borders. Sincethe Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021, the TTP has intensified itsactivities and is accused of orchestrating multiple attacks insidePakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
Bangladesh has remained largely insulated from militancy linked toPakistan-based groups in recent years, focusing primarily on domesticoutfits and remnants of the 2016 Holey Artisan attack. However, securityanalysts warn that online radicalisation continues to pose a seriouschallenge across South Asia.
The arrests come weeks after Bangladesh shared intelligence with Pakistaniauthorities regarding possible cross-border movement of TTP operatives.Both countries have in the past cooperated on counter-terrorism mattersdespite periodic diplomatic tensions.
The detained individuals have been charged under Bangladesh’sAnti-Terrorism Act and face lengthy prison terms if convicted. The CTTC hasindicated that further arrests may follow as the investigation widens.
Source:https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/368492/cttc-arrests-two-over-ttp-links
Tags: Bangladesh, Pakistan, TTP, CTTC, Counter-terrorism
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