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36 Bangladeshis involved in allegedly setting up ISIL-inspired terror module nabbed in Malaysia
The statement added, 'Another 15 individuals have been issued deportation orders while 16 individuals are being further investigated regarding their involvement in this militant movement.'
'The planned security operation which began on 24 April 2025 was carried out in three phases of arrests around Selangor and Johor. In the operation, five of them were identified as being involved under Chapter VIA of the Penal Code (offences relating to terrorism) and have already been charged in the Shah Alam and Johor Bahru Section Courts,' Malaysia's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in a statement.
New Delhi: Malaysian authorities Friday announced the arrests of 36 Bangladeshi citizens this week after they were 'identified' as being involved in a 'radical militant movement' based on extremist beliefs and 'terrorist ideology'.
The group of individuals brought to Malaysia 'extremist' beliefs centred on the teachings of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and created recruitment cells within the community for the purposes of 'indoctrinating radical ideas, raising funds for terrorist activities and to overthrow the legitimate government in their home country'.
'I would like to emphasise that Malaysia will not be a haven, let alone a subversive elemental battlefield for any foreign extremist movement,' Ismail declared in his statement. The Malaysian home minister added the country will 'not tolerate' any elements that threaten national security.
Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government last August in Bangladesh, the South Asian nation has seen an upsurge in extremist movements. Earlier this year, banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) took out a rally called March for Khilafat in Dhaka, calling for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate. The rally witnessed violence.
The group was banned by the Hasina government in 2009. In October 2024, reports emerged from Bangladesh of elite Catholic missionary schools in Dhaka carrying out processions in favour of the establishment of a caliphate in the country.
The growth of extremist ideology in Bangladesh has worried India, with the Ministry of External Affairs consistently calling on the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to 'protect Hindus, their properties and religious institutions'.
The latest India statement on the matter came Thursday after reports emerged of the destruction of a Durga temple in Dhaka. There have been other incidents since the fall of Hasina government that have impacted the minorities in Bangladesh.
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'Firm and swift action'
In the statement on the arrest of 36 Bangladeshis Friday, Ismail also said, 'I reiterate my assurance that the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to strengthen intelligence capabilities and enforcement, as well as collaborate with domestic and foreign security agencies to ensure that Malaysia remains peaceful, stable and free from the threat of terrorism.'
The Malaysian home minister added, 'Any attempt to turn Malaysia into a base of militant operations or transit centre for extremist movements will be dealt with firm, swift and effective action.'
At the same time as concerns heighten over the growth of extremist elements in Bangladesh, the interim government has sought to positively reset ties with Pakistan. Most recently, a trilateral meeting between officials from Dhaka, Islamabad and Beijing was held in the Chinese city of Kunming.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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