English
New Delhi: Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, leader of the dreaded terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, is rapidly expanding his influence in Bangladesh. A close associate of his and a senior member of Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith arrived in Dhaka on October 25 and visited Chapainawabganj, located on the India-Bangladesh border, on October 27. The visit of this cleric, Ibtisam Ilahi Zaheer, has been linked to Islamic sermons, but his activities near the India-Bangladesh border raise suspicions of a major conspiracy in Northeast India. The Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI, has previously hatched plots to destabilise the Northeast.
According to a report in Northeast News, the sudden visit of Ibtisam Ilahi Zaheer, a “senior scholar” of the Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, to Bangladesh two days ago has surprised intelligence agencies. Zaheer is the general secretary of the Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith. The report states that Bangladeshi intelligence agencies are closely monitoring Zaheer’s visit. They have received information that Zaheer landed at Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi on the evening of October 25. He was received by a man named Abdur Rahim bin Abdur Razzaq. He is a member of Al Jamia As-Salifa, an Islamic research institute affiliated with the Bangladesh branch of the country’s Ahl-e-Hadith movement.
On Monday, 27 October 2025, morning, Zaheer left Naudpara for Chapainawabganj with Sheikh Abdul Razzaq bin Yusuf. During the visit, the two visited some areas along the India-Bangladesh border, including Nachole. They are also scheduled to hold meetings at some local mosques. According to Bangladeshi sources, Zaheer is expected to meet with Asadullah Al Ghalib, president of the Ahl-e-Hadith Movement Bangladesh.
Reports indicate that Zaheer will visit various locations along the India-Bangladesh border, including Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari, between October 29 and 31. Zaheer will be in Joypurhat on November 1 and Nagaon on November 2, and will then address a major Salafi conference in Dangipara, Paba subdistrict, Rajshahi, on November 6 and 7. He is scheduled to return to Pakistan on November 8.
Zaheer’s visit is being seen as a warning sign for Northeast India. Zaheer is a radical Islamic cleric, notorious for his venomous language. He has repeatedly advocated violence against non-Muslims. In such a situation, his activities near the India-Bangladesh border could increase India’s problems in Northeast India. Much of the India-Bangladesh border is open, allowing Zaheer’s brainwashed operatives to infiltrate.
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