ISI-backed plans aim to install Jamaat heir Azmi to lead Bangladesh’s radical National Armed Reserve, replacing police forces, enforcing Sharia law, infiltrating institutions, and reshaping governance ahead of the 2026 elections, intelligence agencies warn.
Security agencies across the region are closely monitoring rapidly evolving developments in Bangladesh, where intelligence inputs suggest the imminent formation of a radical paramilitary force known as the National Armed Reserve (NAR). According to senior intelligence officials, the force is being covertly engineered by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and backed by the Pakistan Army as part of a long-term strategy to exert control over Bangladesh’s internal security and political system.
The proposed National Armed Reserve is expected to comprise over 8,000 highly radicalised youths, recruited from various ideological and militant networks within Bangladesh. The primary objective of this force, officials say, is to replace the existing police structure and enforce strict Sharia law, thereby fundamentally altering the country’s secular legal framework.
Intelligence Bureau sources indicate that the NAR is not merely a law enforcement body but a parallel armed structure designed to function independently of democratic oversight. The force would be empowered to monitor citizens, suppress dissent, and impose religious compliance, effectively transforming Bangladesh into a radical theocratic state.
ISI–Pakistan Army Blueprint
The blueprint for the NAR was reportedly drawn up by senior ISI operatives in coordination with the Pakistan Army. Multiple preparatory meetings have already taken place, both inside Pakistan and in Dhaka, signaling that the plan is well into its execution phase. Officials believe that Pakistan’s objective is to replicate its own governance model in Bangladesh—where democratic institutions exist largely in name, while real power rests with the military establishment.
As part of this strategy, Pakistan is working to create two parallel power centers in Bangladesh:
A radical armed police-like force (NAR)
A Pakistan-loyal military leadership within the Bangladesh Army
The process of identifying and grooming individuals with strong pro-Pakistan leanings and radical Islamist ideology has already begun, intelligence sources say.
Resistance Within Bangladesh Army
Notably, there is significant resistance within Bangladesh’s military establishment. Several senior officers, including Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, are understood to support democratic governance and constitutional order. This resistance is precisely why the ISI is attempting to restructure the military hierarchy by sidelining nationalist officers and promoting individuals loyal to Islamabad.
Azmi Emerges as Key Figure
At the center of this plan is Brigadier (retd) Abdullahil Aman Azmi, a highly radicalised figure and the son of the late Golam Azam, former emir of Jamaat-e-Islami. Intelligence agencies describe Azmi as the principal architect designated to oversee the establishment of the NAR.
Azmi has reportedly held multiple high-level meetings with Pakistani military and intelligence officials. Sources indicate that Pakistan wants to initially position him as an advisor in Bangladesh’s Home Ministry. Once elections are completed and the advisory post is dissolved, Azmi would then be placed in full command of the NAR.
Diplomatic Cover and Covert Meetings
Since Muhammad Yunus assumed charge, there has been a noticeable increase in the presence of Pakistani diplomats in Dhaka. These diplomats reportedly engage in regular consultations with Bangladeshi officials and radical elements. Azmi has emerged as the key intermediary between Islamabad and Dhaka.
Several meetings have taken place at the Banani Officers’ Housing Scheme, where Pakistani diplomats are reportedly staying. One such meeting, held on December 23, involved Azmi and Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Wasim. This meeting has drawn particular attention from Indian intelligence agencies, which believe it signals a decisive phase in the plan’s rollout.
Additionally, intelligence inputs suggest ongoing meetings between senior ISI officials and diplomatic staff in Dhaka, pointing toward a coordinated effort ahead of the proposed February 2026 elections.
Election Disruption and Radical Agenda
Officials warn that attempts may be made to disrupt or manipulate upcoming elections, although success is not guaranteed. Even if elections are held to appease international pressure—particularly from the United States—the real aim is to ensure that armed forces and radical units retain ultimate control.
Under this model, the NAR would gradually replace the police, while Pakistan-aligned officers within the Bangladesh Army would oversee governance. The broader goal, intelligence agencies say, is to turn Bangladesh into a fully radicalised state, enforced through fear, surveillance, and ideological compliance.
Radical outfits, including ISI-backed Jamaat-e-Islami, are actively supporting this plan, viewing the NAR as a crucial instrument to impose extremist interpretations of Islam nationwide.
Regional Security Concerns
Indian intelligence agencies are preparing for a challenging period ahead as these developments continue to unfold. Officials warn that a fake narrative campaign, orchestrated by the ISI, is already underway to destabilize public opinion and weaken institutional resistance in Bangladesh.
| Also Read: India Slams Bangladesh Over Rising Violence Against Religious Minorities |
As Pakistan’s intelligence apparatus attempts to infiltrate political, military, and civil institutions, Bangladesh remains at a critical crossroads—one that could significantly impact regional stability and security in South Asia.
