Plot To Take Indian Diplomats Hostage In Dhaka Foiled: Report

NEW DELHI – An Intelligence Bureau alert has revealed that a major attack was being planned on the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. According to the information, Al Qaeda in the subcontinent and Jamaatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqia were involved in the plot.

The plan reportedly included laying siege to the Indian High Commission and taking diplomats hostage, with the demand to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India. Since the fall of her government, Sheikh Hasina has been given refuge in India.

Bangladesh has been demanding her extradition, which has become a key issue in bilateral relations.

Security officials believe the terror groups may have external support, pointing to possible involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Officials noted that ISI-linked networks had previously smuggled arms and ammunition into Bangladesh since 2023. They also cited the 2014 Burdwan case in West Bengal, in which explosives were being prepared for transport to Bangladesh.

According to Indian security agencies, training camps have recently been set up in Bangladesh, and operatives from groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed have been deployed to provide training.

Officials said the plan to target the Indian mission in Dhaka and demand Sheikh Hasina’s extradition was in line with the agenda of groups including Jamaat-e-Islami, which has opposed her government.

Elections in Bangladesh are tentatively scheduled for February next year. Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has been banned from contesting, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is currently seen as the frontrunner. Security assessments indicate that Jamaat and other groups remain influential in the political landscape. (IANS)