Bangladesh successfully combatting terrorism

Bangladesh’s tough no-nonsense stance against terrorism seems to have paid off. According to a new US report shared by the US Department of State on its website on Thursday stated that in 2020, there were only three specific terrorist incidents in Bangladesh. The incidents were of minor nature and no fatalities were recorded. It is internationally accepted that this country has made significant strides in different aspects of counter terrorism: legislation, law enforcement, border security, terror financing, regional and international cooperation for combating terrorism, and social measures to address and fight the root causes of terrorism. Bangladesh has been a victim of number of terrorist attacks but effective measures taken by the authorities concerned have ensured that the terrorist outfits that once operated in Bangladesh are on the run. While there is no room for complacency regarding the issue of terrorism Bangladesh can be proud of the fact that is not a safe haven for extremist organisations and radical elements will think twice before embarking on any unholy mission on this soil.

As is well known, terrorism is a global phenomenon. Regional and international cooperation is essential to combat the menace. The report says that Bangladesh is cooperating with the United States to strengthen control over its borders and ports of entry. The United States and Bangladesh continue to work on building Bangladesh’s technical capacity to develop a national-level “Alert List” of known or suspected terrorists. Not only the US, Bangladesh has sought and received help from other countries to ensure that extremists fail to spread their tentacles in this society.

However, we must strengthen our vigilance against terrorist threats, particularly of the transnational variety. Transnational form of terrorism is a challenge for a developing nation like Bangladesh. Moreover, global agenda of different extremist groups, growing presence of international financial institutions in the country, globalisation, growth of Information and Communication Technology, limitations in monitoring capacities of different government agencies and generally weak political institutions have made the threat of terrorist attacks always a possibility. Various terrorist groups have also developed a nexus with smuggling syndicates, gangsters, international extremist organisations, outlawed criminal groups and remnants of defunct terrorist groups, benefiting from each other despite their differing aims and goals.

As stated in the report the government has adopted zero-tolerance towards terrorism. It has made sure that terrorist groups are not being able to use Bangladeshi territory for perpetrating their nefarious activities either inside or outside the country. The government has enacted the Anti-Terrorism Act and Anti-money Laundering Act and, so far, proscribed five terrorist outfits- JMB, Hizb-ut-Tahrir(HT), Harkat-ul-Jihad, Bangladesh (HUJI-B), Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB) and Shahadat-e-al-Hikma.  

Experts believe that the authorities concerned should adopt both hard and soft approaches. The hard approach of arrests, prosecution and proscription should continue. The soft approach must also be carried on -- general awareness of the people against the warped ideologies being preached, counter narratives, economic development and strengthening the institutions of the government should receive attention.

Bangladesh has definitely been a success story regarding containing terrorism. However, in spite of all the successes, there remain numerous challenges in the fight against terrorism in this country.  The trends, pattern and overall threat of terrorism is ever expanding and the terrorists are getting more innovative. The battle against extremism cannot be won without addressing the factors that breed radicalism. It is difficult for only government agencies to address the problem, for it is a fight that needs the involvement of all. Therefore, a coordinated and collaborative approach is the solution. The security apparatus has so far been successful in dealing with the radical elements on a tactical level. But the strategic part, which is countering extremism on all fronts by involving all stakeholders, needs more concentrated efforts.

One positive thing that is working for Bangladesh is the awareness created among the general population against terrorism and the wrong ideologies that they preach.