Secret Bomb Workshops and Looted Weapons Put Bangladesh’s Elections on High Alert

New Delhi: Bangladesh is experiencing a troubling surge in criminal activity, with violence and extortion becoming increasingly widespread. The unrest during 2024 — which ultimately contributed to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government — created conditions under which a powerful criminal network quietly expanded.

As security forces focused on containing widespread riots, major gangs in Dhaka looted police stations and outposts, stealing a large cache of weapons including SMGs, LMGs, pistols, shotguns, and Chinese rifles. Many of these arms were moved to the Geneva Camp and Pallabi Bihari Camp, which have now emerged as strongholds for the city’s underworld.

Intelligence reports indicate that members of these gangs are deeply involved in drug trafficking, theft, and extortion. Young and teenage groups have also become active participants in large-scale narcotics trade and criminal operations.

Officials say these gangs have long existed but were tightly controlled under the Hasina administration. After the government’s collapse on August 5, 2024, the gangs resurfaced and have since grown rapidly, particularly due to the reduced scrutiny in Dhaka. With security forces stretched thin ahead of crucial national elections, the gangs have been operating openly — especially inside densely populated Bihari camps, where law enforcement presence is limited.

Indian intelligence agencies have expressed concern, warning that the rise of such criminal networks poses a security threat not only to Bangladesh but also to India. Apart from narcotics and extortion, these gangs are reportedly running permanent bomb-making facilities in Sectors 4 and 7 of the Geneva Camp. Large hidden structures, referred to by Bangladeshi authorities as “secret kitchens,” are being used to manufacture explosives.

Officials in New Delhi fear that these criminal groups — which lack ideological motives and operate purely for profit — could be exploited by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. The ISI may attempt to purchase explosives manufactured by these gangs and distribute them to terror groups in Bangladesh.

Since the fall of the Hasina government, Pakistan has allegedly been pursuing aggressive plans in Bangladesh, aiming to undermine India. ISI and Pakistani military officials have reportedly been meeting leaders of Bangladesh-based terror networks, pushing for coordination between Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and groups such as HuJI and JuMB. There are also indications that Pakistan intends to send LeT chief Hafiz Saeed to Bangladesh.

Despite attempts by Bangladeshi police to crack down on the gangs, results have been limited. Many believe that the gangs enjoy political protection — a troubling reality with national elections approaching.

For India, stability in Bangladesh is vital. New Delhi hopes to strengthen ties with Dhaka, but fears that widespread violence or politically motivated criminal activity could disrupt the February elections. Officials warn that the massive arms stockpiles and expanding networks of these gangs could be exploited by vested interests seeking to influence or derail the electoral process.

With inputs from IANS