by Nuruzzaman Labu in Dhaka Tribune, Aug 22, 2023
The banned militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (Huji-B), which had direct involvement in the grenade attack on August 21, 2004, is now trying to resurface in the guise of another banned militant organization Ansar-Al-Islam

The organization is still carrying out its operations in the country.

Some top leaders were executed for their involvement in a grenade attack on August 21. Besides, some were arrested. Despite many challenges, their attempts are still on to carry out sabotage, according to the law enforcement agencies.

Formation of militant organization Huji-B

In 1989, during the Afghan war against the Soviets, Maulana Abdur Rahman Faruqi from Jessore founded Huji. He died that year while still involved in the war.

Then, in 1992, the group came back with a new name in Afghanistan, along with returning fighters. Maulana Abdus Salam led the group.

At first, it focused on spreading beliefs and collecting members. By the late 1990s, its members started engaging in harmful activities, leading to its being banned as a militant group in Bangladesh.

Beginning of extremist activities in Bangladesh

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) officials said that it had been carrying out extremist activities since 1999. In 1999, its members tried to assassinate poet Shamsur Rahman. They also carried out a bomb attack in Udichi, Jessore, and targeted an Ahmadiyya Mosque in Khulna in the same year.

In 2000, they attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On April 14, 2001, attacks included an attack in Ramna Batamul and an attack during a Communist Party gathering in Netrokona, Dhaka.

However, members of the militant outfit carried out the biggest attack on August 21, 2004. Awami League President, then Opposition Leader and current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina survived the attack, but 24 people, including Ivy Rahman, wife of former president Zillur Rahman, were killed and more than 500 were injured.

Law enforcement officials said the militant outfit was supported by the BNP-Jamaat-e-islami when it was in power. Despite the group carrying out a series of attacks, the then government did not arrest the top leaders of the militant group.

The caretaker government which came to power in 2007 launched an anti-militancy operation. Since 2009, the campaign has been intensified. After that, the militant outfit was cornered. Many top leaders of the militant group have been arrested through a series of raids by law enforcement agencies.

Several of them, including top leader Mufti Hannan, were executed after the trial.

Huji-B’s recent attempts to reorganize

However, many leaders of Huji-B are still on the run and trying to reorganize themselves. Many continue to carry out organizational activities while in prison.

Officials of Dhaka’s CTTC unit said Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, a new militant organization operating in the hills recently, was formed on the advice of jailed Huji-B leader Maulana Abu Sayeed.

During interrogation, Jamaat-ul-Ansar’s top leader Shamin Mahfuz said that he met Maulana Abu Sayeed, the top leader of Huji-B, while in jail. On his advice, he started militant activities in the hills.

The CTTC officials said: “The militant outfit is now running its activities in several parts. A section is now trying to establish itself politically. They have merged with Hefazat-e-Islam. A section is secretly trying to reorganize itself. The other part is working in alliance with Ansar al-Islam. Many of them have been convicted in various cases but are absconding, while many are absconding on bail.”

CTTC Deputy Commissioner SM Nazmul Haque said that the militant outfit is now dormant. It is now conducting covert activities internally. ‘We are monitoring them regularly. Many militants returning from Afghanistan are still carrying out organizational activities under various guises. We are also monitoring them.’

CTTC sources said the militant outfit is still more active around Sylhet. The leaders and activists of this organization are also more in contact with international terrorist organizations.

In addition, the organization has also conducted extensive invitation activities in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar for several years. One of its groups is even active in Arakan, added the sources.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/323136/huji-b-tries-to-resurface-in-guise-of-ansar-al