UN concerned Al-Qaeda 'trying to establish cells' in Bangladesh

UN investigators have found some concerning signs that Al-Qaeda is trying to exploit Bangladesh and establish cells in the country as part of its broader consolidation efforts in the Indian subcontinent.

The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, a wing of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), outlined the concerns in its latest report on Monday.

In the report, it said that the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) was consolidating and expanding its strength in the region through small, scattered and decentralised cells. By continuing to evolve from an isolated group to a regional terrorist unity, it has already set up logistics and financial networks in the subcontinent, the report added.

The attack on the Red Fort in New Delhi was officially attributed to AQIS, and the group was also linked to the vehicle-reliant suicide bombing attack in Pakistan’s Kyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed 21 people.

The AQIS also enjoys covert support from the Taliban government in Afghanistan, having received official identity cards in the country.