Suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives allegedly entering Bangladesh ahead of elections raise serious security concerns for Tripura, Northeast India, and regional stability, prompting heightened vigilance by Indian intelligence agencies.
Weeks before Bangladesh’s crucial elections t reported entry of suspected hardcore terror operatives linked to Pakistan-based outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) into Bangladesh on a commercial Karachi–Dhaka flight has triggered heightened security concern for the North East India, West Bengal in general and Tripura in particular.
According to Bangladesh-based investigative weekly Blitz, multiple individuals with suspected links to LeT and JeM arrived in Dhaka aboard Bangladesh Biman Airlines flight BG-342 on January 30, 2026, shortly after direct air services between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed following a 14-year suspension.
Security officials say any such development inside Bangladesh has direct implications for Tripura, given the state’s geography—surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides—and its history of cross-border infiltration during earlier decades.
The publication reports that at least 28 of the 113 passengers on the Karachi–Dhaka flight are under scrutiny for possible links to Lashkar-e-Taiba, while some are suspected to be affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad.
The publication has obtained images of passports belonging to more than fifteen individuals whose identities are being examined by informed quarters due to suspected connections with Lashkar-e-Taiba.
According to information, ringleader of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unit which entered Bangladesh on January 30, 2026, is Shah Mukamil (born on January 15, 1976, passport number DK-5144924). Others are Nabi Muhtaj (March 20, 1974, passport number AP-9099953), Anwar Sajjad (born on September 15, 1976, passport number KH-1798374), Manoor Ghali, Khan Khanawaz, Kalam Noor, Ibrahim, Rasool Mohammad, Khan Muqarab, Safir Ullah, and Jan Saleh.
According to the report, suspected JeM operatives allegedly entered Bangladesh posing as members of the Tablighi Jamaat and subsequently moved to major religious congregation points, including Dhaka’s Kakrail Mosque.
The source of the publication further stated, at least four of these LeT terrorists are “fast shooters” while there are unknown number of LeT men who also have landed in Bangladesh in the same flight under the guise of members of the Tablighi Jamaat and traders.
Intelligence officials with experience in counterterrorism vetting and travel-pattern analysis, who noted anomalies and risk indicators consistent with known jihadist travel methodologies
Indian security officials note that such hubs have, in the past, been misused by extremist networks to blend into crowds and quietly disperse towards border districts, including areas adjoining Tripura.
Sources further allege that the travel and reception arrangements were coordinated by an ISI-linked network operating inside Bangladesh, commonly referred to in intelligence circles as the “Dhaka Cell”. This network is believed to facilitate logistics and documentation, safe travel routes, initial vetting and ideological screening
There are concerns that select individuals may be subjected to specialized training, potentially including: Improvised explosive devices (IEDs),Suicide attack methodologies, covert operational tradecraft
If substantiated, such activity would represent a grave escalation, not only for Bangladesh’s internal security but for regional stability across South Asia.
The Blitz said, counterterrorism experts caution against viewing this development in isolation. Pakistan has a long, documented history of allowing terrorist groups to operate through proxies, while offering plausible deniability at the diplomatic level. Groups like LeT and JeM have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to exploit civilian infrastructure, abuse legal travel mechanisms, use documentation to mask operational intent
The timing of this movement – just months after Pakistan’s removal from the FATF grey list – has raised additional concern among analysts who argue that terror financing and facilitation networks remain intact, merely rebranded and digitized.
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The presence of the extremely dangerous and professional terrorists in Bangladesh, the implications are stark-which include potential infiltration by hardened jihadist operatives, risk of local recruitment or sleeper-cell activation, exposure to international scrutiny if lapses are ignored
“For India, the concern is immediate and existential: LeT and JeM view India as a primary ideological and operational target and Bangladesh could be used as a logistical rear base or transit zone and maritime and land routes could be exploited next”
“Any presence of LeT or JeM elements in Bangladesh immediately raises red flags for Tripura,” a senior security source said. “The state’s border, riverine stretches and dense habitation require constant vigilance.”
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“The timing is also important as Bangladesh is ready for polls and Pro-Pakistan anti Indian force like Jamat e Islami is also in the fray. It is almost certain that the immediate task of the LeT , JeM in Bangladesh will be to help Jamat win the elections. If the Jamat fails to make it, there are every possibilities of large scale violence later with a serious spill over effect”, he pointed out.
The publication has stressed that its findings do not constitute a judicial determination of guilt. However, Indian security agencies are said to be closely monitoring developments, particularly along India’s eastern and northeastern corridors.
