Sanjal Shastri and Ashik Kabir
The Holey Artisan Bakery attacks came as a big distress to many in Bangladesh. It was the single deadliest hostage terror strike in Bangladeshi history. The investigations following the attacks, and the appearance of the role Zakir Naik played, exposes the need for greater India-Bangladeshi cooperation to fight terror. This commentary will examine the win-win situation from both the Indian and Bangladeshi perspective. What are the areas where counter-terror cooperation can be perused? What are the common threats and challenges both nations face on the terror front? The commentary will address these questions.
The last one year has been a challenging for India and Bangladesh on the counter terror and de-radicalization front. From the targeted shootings of intellectuals and minority leaders in Bangladesh to the Pathankot attack in India, terror activities have been an issue of significant concern in the region. Until July 1 2016, there were noticeable differences in the type of attacks in India and Bangladesh. The hostage crisis at the Holey Artisan Bakery was a new chapter in Bangladesh’s battle against extremism. Similarities can be drawn between Dhaka-2016 and Mumbai-2008. After July 1 2016, the kind of threat the two countries are facing is similar. Bangladesh finds itself dealing with more large-scale attacks and hostage situations.
While fighting with terror related incidents are a common concern, aquieter battle is being fought against radical propaganda and radicalization of
youth. In the aftermath of the July 1st incident, as role of Zakir Naik became apparent, the flow of radical propaganda between India and Bangladesh has emerged as a major concern. An Indian tele-evangelist was able to inspire at least one of the attackers. Zakir Naik is just one example, in the various possible ways radical propaganda can flow between India and Bangladesh. The ISIS has stepped up its effort to recruit individuals from South Asia. Since the last six months, the Indian National Investigative Agency (NIA) has arrested several individuals, radicalized by ISIS propaganda. There is a common source for all the online propaganda, which must be tackled jointly.
Keeping in mind the common threats faced by India and Bangladesh, a comprehensive counter-terror pact will be mutually beneficial. From the Indian point of view, the concern is at three levels. The first concern is the cross-border movement of radicalized individuals and insurgents. This was a significant issue between 2001 and 2006, during Khaleda Zia’s tenure. Since 2007, significant developments have taken place to tackle cross-border insurgent/ terrorist movement. Yet, considering the possible links between ISIS recruitment cells in India and Bangladesh, greater cooperation in this area is always welcome. The second concern is the common source of radical propaganda and radicalization of youth. The Zakir Naik connection highlighted the need for better intelligence sharing and cooperation between the investigative agencies. In the fallout of the July 1 attack, dealing with Zakir Naik requires greater sharing of evidence. Had there been a robust intelligence sharing mechanism, Zakir Naik’s role in radicalizing individuals could have been exposed much earlier.
The success of any translational anti-terror network depends on the intelligence sharing mechanism between countries. In the case of India and Bangladesh, the common source of propaganda and the presence of transnational terror cells make intelligence sharing a crucial, in order to achieve any tangible results. The proposed counter-terror pact between India and Bangladesh will enable important intelligence to be shared in less than two minutes. This mechanism would help coordinate responses.
The third aspect from India’s perspective is the genuine concern for the law and order situation in Bangladesh. The rise of radical elements in Bangladesh is a significant threat to India’s national security. It did not come as a surprise when Indian investigators rushed to Dhaka a day after the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery. The leads Indian investigators got in Dhaka helped expose a source of radical content and several arrests were carried out in Kerala. The Zakir Naik factor, which was unearthed in Dhaka, was also a factor in Kerala, were 21 individuals are suspected to have joined the ISIS. Radicalization in India and Bangladesh appear to be linked. Rise of radical elements in Bangladesh will have an impact on radical elements in India.
Since the two neighboring countries are facing troubles of incremental extremism, the cooperation between them is also augmenting. Bangladesh has already started working on the international arena to camber terrorism. The country is already a signatory to 14 UN anti- Terrorism Conventions and protocols. Following UN Security Council resolution, Bangladesh has already implemented domestic laws and policies. The Bangladeshi government is cooperating with foreign governments, including the United States and India. These kinds of initiatives are enabling U.S expertise to assist Bangladesh’s counter terrorism to have international standards. Bangladesh is consistently attending US- led counter terrorism programs. Areas like crisis response, aviation security and explosive ordinance disposal are receiving training through the U.S. State Department’s CT assistance program. In August 2014, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) shared the location of 66 militant camps in Bangladesh with the country’s border control officials. In October 2014 there was a bomb explosion in an apartment in Burdwan, West Bengal. The Bangladeshi investigation team had revealed a JMB cell that was connected to militant networks in India. After this incident both the countries started coordinating on border management later that year.
Soon after the Holey Artisan assail India extended their support to Bangladesh. It has become evident that, either the terrorists are planning their plots from India to Bangladesh or vice-versa. Most of the times after completing the mission, terrorists seek to cross the border immediately for hideouts. In connection with that, it has become inevitable that both the country’s intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies share information which will lead to an effective counter-terrorist strategy. Following the July attack India and Bangladesh have signed a MoU to combat terrorism. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already declared that India will be fighting beside Bangladesh against terrorism like they did in 1971.
With new clauses proposal to the extradition treaty, it will enable both the governments to exchange convicted and under-trial criminals. The recent developments between the two countries made it possible to get nearer to an understanding that will accelerate the process of repatriation of each other’s nationals. The Indian government already cherished the steps Bangladesh government has taken to eradicate terrorism from the country. The Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already announced the inevitability to get united and fight the nefarious designs of the criminals. Her government has already shown zero tolerance against terrorism and with the recent operations, she has made it clear that Bangladesh will not tolerate any kind of fanaticism. After the recent successful operations against the militants, it has been two months that the country hasn’t seen any attacks on any foreigner, blogger or on any religious minority individual. The bond between these countries are getting are stronger and surely disputes of any kinds could be sort out in the near future. But we have to be very persistence regarding the new developments taking place between both the countries. The two sides are absorbed in building up a affiliation through exchange of information and training programs. The two countries should ensure peace and continue dismantling the extremism nexus during their cooperation endeavor. For enhancing the Coordinated Border Management plan, these two countries should layout effective plans that will curb the movements of cross border terrorist movements. Already a proposed Joint Working Group (JWG) is planned for this purpose which will be an effective counter terrorism mechanism.
For fighting terrorism, both the countries are skirmishing with the ideologies of the extremists. The militants try to justify their move by giving forged information which can be manipulative. The governments are already working to fetch movies and documentaries that will convey the true history of the cultural and historical backgrounds of friendship of these countries. The cultural exchanges between the two countries will provide a feeling of togetherness. These cooperation steps in future will bind the two countries to wrestle all the threats together and promote regional peace and harmony.

Sanjal Shastri, is an Academic Associate at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Ashik Kabir, is a freelance contributor on current issues.