The spiking nexus between Pakistan and Bangladesh is evolving without any hesitation or compromise under the interim administration in Dhaka led by its Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. From a series of high-level bilateral visits to ambitious defence deals and direct flight connectivity Islamabad-Dhaka relations have seen a monumental shift which was not witnessed since the separation of East Pakistan(Bangladesh) from West Pakistan in 1971. Most importantly, this brewing relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have posed heightened security concerns for India, as Islamabad can use Bangladesh, as a backyard or ground to espouse anti-India activities such as for infiltration of terrorists.
In the latest escalation, the terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have landed in Dhaka from Karachi. This spiking bonhomie, especially when Bangladesh is set to go for general elections on February 12, raises severe questions on the nature and hidden agenda of Islamabad-Dhaka relations. This illicit development also rings a security alarm for India, particularly across the districts of India that borders Bangladesh. The Let and JeM terrorists have landed in Dhaka as an impact of the resumption of direct flight connectivity between Karachi and Dhaka. This development between Islamabad and Dhaka, also reflects the open and unbridled support rendered by the Yunus government to the internationally infamous terrorists.
Terrorists onboard Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the security lapse
As per the reports, the Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-342 departed from Karachi and landed in Dhaka on January 30, carrying 113 passengers. According to the official records, some of the passengers are identified as LeT operatives. The names of the terrorists and their link to the LeT terror outfit was mentioned in the travel documents. This yet again testifies the fact that Pakistan is a state-sponsor of terrorism and nurtures terrorists from its soil. It also reflects the major security and intelligence lapse in the political landscape of Bangladesh where rulers operate with only power and political motives.
As the direct flight connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumes, many concessions for travel have been given to Pakistan security officials and military or intelligence personnel. They are allowed to travel to Dhaka with relaxed rules and less scrutiny that is mandatory for international travel. However, how do the terrorists land in Bangladesh without any scrutiny? How did they surpass the security radar in both Pakistan and Bangladesh? This raises serious apprehensions about the state of affairs in both the countries and their true agenda.
Terrorists inflicted into Dhaka to spike extremist activities?
Analysing the growing nexus between Islamabad and Dhaka, geopolitical and security experts apprehend that the terrorists might have been inflicted into Bangladesh to trigger extremist activities. Bangladesh has been a brewing ground for extremism and radical elements since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime in August 2024, by a violent student uprising and the takeover of the country’s administration by the interim government under Muhammad Yunus. Thus, Let & JeM terrorists might have been inflicted into the Bangladeshi society to further channelise radical thoughts and actions.
In another testament, as per the reports, Ibtisam Ilahi Zaheer, a close associate of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and general secretary of Pakistan’s Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, visited Bangladesh for several weeks in October 2025. During his days in Bangladesh Ibtisam Zaheer had preached about sacrifice for Islam and unity against liberal or secular forces. He had held talks with many radical groups of Bangladesh. Thus, the latest visit by terrorists to Dhaka raises further concerns about the radicalisation of Bangladesh that has hitherto lost its secular fabric with targeted attacks and other atrocities on the Hindus and other minority communities.
Security concerns for India
Since the takeover of Bangladesh administration by the Yunus regime and due to the growing extremist landscape, the security apparatus has been on high-alert in India, especially across the border districts. New Delhi has also cut the trade and other bilateral activities with Dhaka, with shutting down of ports etc. New Delhi is also persistently ensuring that Bangladesh is not used as a fertile ground for anti-India activities of Pakistan. There has been a massive and co-ordinated crackdown on illegal immigration as well.
However, the latest news regarding the landing of a bunch of LeT and JeM terrorists in Dhaka further alarms security concerns for India. LeT is the most notorious terror outfit which was responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The Resistance Front(TRF), a proxy of the LeT was responsible for the recent Pahalgam terror attack. As per the security experts, terrorists predominantly always try to exploit the new and reopened corridors to fulfill their illicit deeds. Thus, India has to further consolidate its security apparatus to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and New Delhi is indeed swiftly working in this direction.
