Dhaka, Bangladesh – A Bangladeshi journalist has reportedly received threats following the publication of a report detailing the open display of extremist symbols, including flags linked to Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, during a recent demonstration in the capital.
The report, published by local news outlet Bangla Tribune, highlighted the appearance of jihadist flags and images of Osama bin Laden at a protest in Dhaka on 7 April, organized to denounce Israel’s actions in Gaza. The display sparked renewed concern over the visibility and activity of banned militant groups in Bangladesh, many of which were previously believed to be in decline.
Security officials cited in the report warned that extremist groups such as Ansar al-Islam, HuJI-B, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and Neo-JMB are regrouping, recruiting, and operating more openly following a lull in political tensions after the failure of opposition-led protests in August 2023.
The journalist behind the report has since come under pressure, including reported threats, after naming individuals and organizations allegedly connected to the rallies. Media rights advocates have condemned the intimidation, calling for immediate steps to protect journalists investigating issues of national security.
The use of militant symbols in public spaces has raised questions about the enforcement of anti-terror laws and the preparedness of law enforcement agencies. Despite the banned status of these organizations, police have yet to take visible action against those responsible for displaying the flags.
When approached by Bangla Tribune, police said they were investigating the matter but did not comment on whether arrests would follow. Critics argue that the lack of a swift response could embolden radical elements and signal a retreat from previously firm counter-extremism stances.
Security analysts also pointed to signs of weakened institutional capacity. Several key counterterrorism agencies — including the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit and the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) — have reportedly scaled back operations, with some personnel reassigned and critical posts left vacant.
“Extremist groups see these moments of political distraction or institutional reshuffling as opportunities to regroup,” said ANM Muniruzzaman, a former military official and current security analyst. “We need to rebuild and refocus our counter-extremism efforts before the situation worsens.”
Photo: The photo published by journalist Nuruzzaman Labu in Bangla Tribune, which reportedly led to threats against him for his courageous reporting.
Intelligence sources also warned of the strategic shift among militants. Al-Qaeda’s regional affiliate — Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) — is believed to be reorganizing under local fronts, including Ansar al-Islam. Notably, Major (sacked) Syed Ziaul Haque, a fugitive accused of leading Ansar al-Islam, recently resurfaced in an interview with a foreign journalist, signaling renewed ideological messaging.
Observers say extremist narratives are increasingly being repackaged under broad religious slogans such as “Tawhidi Janata,” a term that has appeared during recent mass gatherings. According to analysts, such branding aims to blur the lines between mainstream religiosity and extremist ideology.
The report also highlighted a growing public mistrust toward past counterterrorism operations, with some now viewed as politically motivated. Analysts fear this erosion of credibility may further hinder efforts to prevent radicalization.
Bangladesh has previously been lauded for its crackdown on violent extremism, particularly after the deadly 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Dhaka. However, recent developments suggest that militant networks may once again be seeking to gain ground — both online and on the streets.
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