This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(February 2021)
Bangladesh has experienced
terrorism in the past conducted by a number of different organisations.[4][5] In the past, both
ISIL and other terrorist organisations had claimed to be active in the country. However, the Bangladeshi government believes that they mainly operated through local affiliates, before being neutralised by security forces.
History
The first Bangladeshi Islamist factions emerged in 1989, when a network of 30 different factions was established and expanded in the following years. The main goal of most Islamist groups in Bangladesh is to create a separate
Islamic state, or to govern Bangladesh according to
Sharia law. Islamist groups have conducted operations against the ruling party's corruptions in the country. Islamic groups are alleged to be terrorists for political interests. [6][self-published source?]
Timeline
1999
On 18 January 1999, Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh carried out at assassination attempt on
Shamsur Rahman.[7]
On 13 January 2004, a bomb attack on Fazlur Rahman, joint secretary of
Sharsha Upazila unit of the Awami League, in Benapol kills him and injures six.[15]
On 24 January 2004, a police camp was bombed in Bagerhat injuring three police officers.[14]
On 20 February 2004, movie house at
Rupsha Upazila was bombed injuring 4.[18]
On 4 March 2004, a Bangladesh Awami League leader was killed in a bomb attack in Bagerhat and one Awami League leader was assassinated in Narayanganj.[19]
On 4 August 2004, a bomb attack on Rangmahal Cinema and at Monika Cinema in Sylhet killed one and injured ten.[20]
On 17 September 2014, acting on a tip, Rapid Action Battalion discovered and dismantled a weapons and explosives storage facility located in the Satchhari forest,
Chunarughat Upazila,
Habiganj. 112 rocket launchers and 14 sacks of explosive material were confiscated during the operation.[26]
On 18 September 2014, police arrested 7 JMB terrorists, including a top commander Abdullah Al Tasnim, in the Landing Station Port area. The militants intended to utilise 10 kilograms of liquid explosives, in a number of terrorist acts throughout the country, in order to establish cooperation with
ISIL.[27]
On 1 November 2014, a Rapid Action Battalion operation led to the capture of
JMB's main coordinator Abdun Nur as well as four other militants. IED components were also seized.[28]
2016
On 15 March 2016, ISIL claimed responsibility for murdering a Muslim preacher in Bangladesh.[29]
On 22 March 2016, unidentified attackers hacked a Christian convert to death in northern Bangladesh.[30] A day after, ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.[31]
On 7 April 2016, a secular blogger was hacked to death by Islamists who claimed to be part of
al-Qaeda.[32][33]
On 23 April 2016, a university professor was hacked to death on his way to work in northern Bangladesh. Without any evidence, ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.[34][35]
On 25 April 2016,
al-Qaeda terrorists hacked LGBTQ activist,
Xulhaz Mannan, and his friend to death in his apartment.[36][37]
On 30 April 2016, a
Hindu tailor was hacked to death in his store. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.[38] On the next day, Bangladesh authorities arrested three ISIL suspects for the murder.[39]
On 21 May 2016, a homeopathic doctor was hacked to death in Bangladesh.
ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.[40]
On 1 July 2016, five attackers opened fire inside the
Holey Artisan Bakery located in the Gulshan neighbourhood, which is also part of the diplomatic enclave of
Dhaka. Around 22 civilians and 2 police officers were killed. All five attackers were neutralised by the commando units of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, who stormed the building.[42][43]
2017
14 March - A Muslim
Sufi spiritual leader and his daughter were shot and hacked to death by unknown militants in northern Bangladesh.[44]
17 March-
2017 Dhaka RAB camp suicide bombing: A suicide bomber blew himself up inside an under construction camp of the anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion, mildly injuring two security personnel.[45]
24 March - A suicide bomber blew himself up outside the police check-post, which was located on the road leading to the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport causing no injuries to other people.
ISIL claimed the attack.[46]
25 March -
2017 South Surma Upazila bombings: A suicide bombing killed four civilians, two police officers and wounded around 40 during a security forces raid on a suspected terrorist hideout in South Surma Upazila, Bangladesh. ISIL claimed responsibility. Four militants were also killed.[47]
2019
On 29 June, acting on a tipoff,
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five members of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam (AAI) from Belpukur area in
Puthia Upazila of
Rajshahi. RAB recovered a pistol, 24 crude bombs, five bullets, two magazines, 10 jihadi books and eight organisational notebooks from them.[48]
^Sohel, Sahiduzzaman (20 November 2010).
"Terrorism in Bangladesh". Academia.
Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2015.