BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

MAPPING TERRORISM THREATS IN BANGLADESH

Author: M. Aynul Islam

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2008v29n2a1

ABSTRACT

Terrorism has in recent times emerged as a major challenge to Bangladesh. The discourse on terrorism has changed; it is marked by new trends and the terrorist threats are now more diverse in terms of motivation, financing, and security implications. The government response to terrorism in Bangladesh demonstrates the use of ‘hard power’ without addressing the root causes and new trends. The government has been strategically, operationally and tactically challenged by the new techniques and technology of terrorism. In such a context, the paper aims to map out terrorism threat in Bangladesh, considering threat indicators and levels, so that a viable anti-terrorism strategy can be developed. Analysing the available threat indicators and applying SWOT tools, the paper argues that the threat of domestic terrorism has been significantly reduced since the dismantling of the leadership pattern of the extremist groups. However, given Bangladesh’s limited counter terrorism strengths and the increasing access of the threat groups to many opportunities, the potential threat indicators are still visible on the country’s horizon. The paper emphasises on long-term measures such as modernizationof religious education system, eradication of social disparities, strengthening of community response, utilization of local knowledge and capacity, and identification of ‘strategic communication’ tools to interact with extremist individuals and groups in order to develop a APRIL 2008 comprehensive strategy to face the menace of terrorism in Bangladesh.