Bangladesh Protests: Are Pakistan's ISI and China behind protests in Bangladesh to nurture anti-India terror group?

Bangladesh Protests: Intelligence agencies have identified Pakistan's ISI and its Chinese patron as key players in agitating protests and subversion that compelled Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. Information reveals the involvement of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, in converting protests over quotas into efforts to establish a regime favorable to Pakistan and China, undermining the previously installed Awami League government, as reported by TOI.

Bangladesh Protests: What did Intelligence Official Say

"In the wake of the strengthening ties between the Indian and Bangladeshi governments, the ISI-backed Jamaat-e-Islami had received substantial financial backing earlier this year to destabilise the Sheikh Hasina govt. A significant portion of this funding is believed to have originated from Chinese entities operating in Pakistan," an intelligence official disclosed to TOI.

The ICS, known for its anti-India stance and jihadist agenda, has been under Indian intelligence surveillance for some time due to its activities in regions adjacent to Bangladesh and affiliation with the ISI-backed Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI). Evidence shows ICS members undergoing training in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "The ultimate objective of Jamaat or ICS is to establish a Taliban-type govt in Bangladesh, and the ISI has been assuring them of their support in achieving this goal," remarked an intelligence officer.



Hasina tried balancing her relations with China and India, but her neutral stance did not please Beijing. "Interestingly, many leading figures of the Islamic student outfit managed to charm the western-affiliated NGOs by using jargon of democracy and rights," framed a part of the strategic planning.

Beijing Involvement and China Support:

The involvement of Beijing became more apparent as China viewed a Pakistani-inclined government in Dhaka as more favorable. "The support from the China's ministry of state and security is also suspected to have extended a helping hand as Beijing has had been wary of Hasina's 'balancing act' in its dealings with India and China. A govt in Dhaka over which Pakistan has a leverage will surely better serve Beijing's interests better," according to an intelligence source in a TOI report.


Moreover, the visual evidence of ICS members' training in Afghanistan and Pakistan has reinforced the connection between the ICS, ISI, and other terrorist groups. Intelligence reports underscore the meticulous and long-term planning by the ICS to incite violence and destabilize Hasina’s government.

In recent months, China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has been notably active in its propaganda efforts. "An example of this is a propaganda video recently circulated by the MSS in China, warning of 'foreign spies being everywhere'. This was highly uncharacteristic of the MSS," added the intelligence officer.

Bangladesh Protests: Formation of a New Government

Following Hasina's departure, Bangladesh's army chief is set to meet with student protest leaders as the country anticipates the formation of a new government. The Students Against Discrimination movement has proposed Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus as the head of an interim government. "We have decided that the interim government would be formed in which internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, would be the chief adviser," said Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of the movement.


(With inputs from TOI)