Indian intelligence agencies reveal ISI’s digital propaganda network behind Bangladesh violence, exposing Pakistan’s use of proxy groups, radical elements, and anti-India narratives to destabilize Bangladesh, disrupt elections, and escalate regional security threats.
Indian intelligence and security agencies have traced the recent wave of violence in Bangladesh to a carefully coordinated digital and ground-level operation orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), using a network of proxy groups, radical elements, and a sophisticated online propaganda machinery.
According to senior officials familiar with the investigation, the violence escalated immediately after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the Bangladesh student uprising. Within minutes of his death, hundreds of ISI-linked social media handles became active, pushing a flood of misinformation, provocative narratives, and emotionally charged content aimed at inciting unrest and spreading anti-India sentiment across Bangladesh.
Investigators found that these digital handles, many of which were operated from Pakistan or controlled by handlers linked to ISI-backed networks, played a decisive role in shaping public perception during the early hours of the unrest. The fake narratives blamed India for internal political developments in Bangladesh and portrayed New Delhi as the primary supporter of the former Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.
Officials say the objective of the ISI was not spontaneous but part of a long-term strategy to destabilize Bangladesh at a politically sensitive moment. The timing of the violence, coming close to the country’s planned elections, suggests a deliberate attempt to plunge Bangladesh into chaos, disrupt democratic processes, and weaken its institutions.
According to intelligence inputs, the ISI had pre-planned the agitation in detail. Notably, it instructed Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islamic Chhatra Shibir (ICS), to avoid taking visible leadership roles in the protests. Instead, their role was limited to quietly fueling violence on the ground using narratives generated by Pakistan’s digital propaganda ecosystem.
The reasoning behind this strategy was calculated. ISI handlers reportedly wanted to ensure that Jamaat-e-Islami was not seen internationally or domestically as the face of the agitation, particularly if elections were to take place in February. By staying behind the scenes, Jamaat and its affiliates could influence events without attracting direct blame.
Indian agencies noted that several radical groups operating in Bangladesh were activated simultaneously. These groups, many of which have ideological or operational links to Pakistan-based handlers, were positioned at the forefront of street violence, while established political actors maintained plausible deniability.
A major component of the operation was Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. Intelligence assessments revealed that certain media outlets, covertly funded by Pakistan-linked entities, published a series of coordinated articles amplifying propaganda themes. These articles consistently framed India as an external manipulator and depicted Sheikh Hasina as a leader propped up by New Delhi.
Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power last August, later took shelter in India after fleeing Bangladesh. Her presence in India was aggressively exploited by ISI-backed networks to reinforce claims of Indian interference, further inflaming public anger and distrust.
Officials describe the operation as part of Pakistan’s long-standing effort to turn Bangladesh into a strategic playground. By stoking internal divisions, encouraging radicalization, and spreading anti-India narratives, Pakistan aims to weaken Bangladesh’s stability while simultaneously creating pressure on India’s eastern frontier.
The strategy also allows Pakistan to conduct what intelligence experts describe as “low-cost operations.” Instead of deploying direct resources, the ISI relies on local proxies, ideological allies, and online manipulation to trigger large-scale unrest. Once public emotions are sufficiently inflamed, crowds take control, leading to widespread violence that appears organic but is carefully engineered.
Experts warn that this approach poses serious long-term risks for Bangladesh. A country once regarded as a rising economic success story could face prolonged instability if elections are delayed or canceled. Analysts also point to troubling parallels with Pakistan’s own internal challenges, where radicalization and institutional erosion have become deeply entrenched.
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There are also concerns that if democratic processes collapse, the next phase of the ISI’s strategy could involve nurturing separatist ecosystems, similar to tactics previously observed in Jammu and Kashmir. Such developments, officials warn, could push Bangladesh into an even deeper crisis.
In the midst of this turmoil, radical Islamist groups stand to gain the most. Intelligence officials caution that the ultimate objective of these forces is the transformation of Bangladesh into an Islamic state, achieved through sustained unrest, polarization, and the weakening of democratic governance.
