Bangladesh News and Discussion

[g.sarkar]

Sirji, Not the people of Bangladesh, but the Hindus (declining in number) of Bangladesh.
Gautam

[sanjayc]

Amit Shah has said that Hindus from Pakistan and Bangladesh have equal rights on Indian soil as Indian Hindus, while making it a point to distinguish immigrants (persecution) from infiltrators (migrating for money and jobs).

This is good to see. Indian must be like Israel. Homeland of all Hindus in the world.

[A_Gupta]

Bangladesh-Pakistan JEC meeting to be held after 20 yrs, what’s on the agenda?
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/x7iieqfc6v

The ninth session of the Bangladesh–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC), the first in two decades, is set to take place in Dhaka on 27 October.

The two nations are expected to discuss a broad range of issues related to fundamental economic cooperation in the meeting being held after a long hiatus.
....
....
The last session of the Bangladesh–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission was held in Dhaka on 12 September 2005.

...
Bangladesh holds JEC meetings with several countries and blocs, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the European Union (EU).


.... both sides have agreed that the upcoming JEC will concentrate on direct economic collaboration, including the expansion of trade and investment, agricultural assistance, and financial sector cooperation, the officials added.
...
According to government statistics, during the 2024–25 fiscal year, Bangladesh imported goods worth US $787 million (78.7 crores) from Pakistan, while exporting goods worth only $80 million (eight crores).

[drnayar]

[A_Gupta]

Chhatra Shibir reclaims CUCSU after 44 years
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/po ... qqn0pq2ui5

Since the 1980s, Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, had a significant influence at Chittagong University. However, during the Awami League government (now banned) in 2014, the organisation lost control of the campus.

After nearly a decade of silence, Shibir returned to open politics on 5 August, 2024. Less than a year later, its resounding victory in the CUCSU election has sparked wide discussion across the campus.

[Vayutuvan]

Time to take chattogram or at least start the preparations. BDs will give us a chance real soon now.

[Manish_P]

3 suspected Bangladeshi cattle thieves killed in clash with border villagers in Tripura: police

Three suspected Bangladeshi cattle thieves were killed and two Indian villagers injured in a clash between them in a border village in Tripura's Khowai district on Wednesday, the police said.

The police said the two Indian villagers, both residents of Bidyabil under the Champahowar police station limits, had gone out to work at a rubber plantation near the India-Bangladesh border when they noticed three Bangladeshi men hiding there. When confronted, the three men allegedly turned violent and attacked the villagers with sharp weapons, leaving them injured.

Later, the two men returned to their village and informed others of the incident. A group of villagers then rushed to the area and caught the suspected Bangladeshi cattle thieves. In an ensuing clash, the three suspected cattle thieves were killed and two Indian villagers injured, according to the police. The injured villagers are undergoing treatment at a local government hospital.

[Kati]

Some important developments:

Oct. 14, Oct 16, and Oct. 18 - three days, and three mysterious massive fire "accidents" have caused losses worth thousands of crores of Taka.
First it was Mirpur Chemical factory fire - it was a devastating one. Then it was followed by Chittagong Free Economic Trade Zone fire - and it caused several loss of life. Finally, on 18th Dhaka International Airport's (Shahjalal International Airport's) entire import cargo depot got gutted in a devastating fire. Local business owners not only lost huge amount of imported materials, but this disruption will cause loss of foreign orders. Obviously, those in power are pointing fingers at "RAA" / AL and "agints" of a neighboring country. But the people in the know are pointing fingers at those at the helm. One reason is that another devastating fire (in December, 2024) which gutted five important departments of central secretariat still remains inconclusive. It pretty much destroyed all important documents and files of five important ministries.

An important and not so public trip has just taken place - an Indian team of MI personnel just visited northern BD. It was so important that BD General Waqar Uz Zaman was forced to cancel his two trips (one to S. Arabia, and another to Delhi) - literally he was forced to stay put in BD. The four member team (with another 14 support staff) literally summoned Waqar to north BD, near the Indian chicken neck, and handed him over a 58-page dossier showing 11 terrorist training camps in full operation near the chicken neck area - ranging from Thakurgaon (Dinajpur district) to Lalmonirhaat (Rangpur div) BAF station - just 20 km from Siliguri border (on the indian side). These terrorist bases are operating under Pak instructors. Further, bunkers are being built along the border at these places, with direct help from BGB. The dossier included sat images, and names of the local BGB commanders providing direct help. Waqar was forced to come and see these places on his own to verify the proof the MI team provided, and given a clear warning that if things don't change then a barrage of missile hit is guaranteed. .... The MI team toured the area from 14th to 16th Oct, and returned on 17th morning. The Lalmonirhat airport - one of the biggest in Asia was used by the allied forces extensively during the WWII, and then it remained disused for a long time. Only a few months back China helped the repair work.

[Mukesh.Kumar]

Some important developments:

Oct. 14, Oct 16, and Oct. 18 - three days, and three mysterious massive fire "accidents" have caused losses worth thousands of crores of Taka.
First it was Mirpur Chemical factory fire - it was a devastating one. Then it was followed by Chittagong Free Economic Trade Zone fire - and it caused several loss of life. Finally, on 18th Dhaka International Airport's (Shahjalal International Airport's) entire import cargo depot got gutted in a devastating fire. Local business owners not only lost huge amount of imported materials, but this disruption will cause loss of foreign orders. Obviously, those in power are pointing fingers at "RAA" / AL and "agints" of a neighboring country. .......

Apparently, 18 tons of Russian equipment for the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh was gutted in the fire in the Cargo village at Dhaka Airport

But for once I see some Beedis at least raising the finger at Amir Khan and his team of chefs. There is a slight change in wind direction since the last monsoon a year ago.

P.S. Personally, I would be happier if Bangladesh did not get any access to nuclear power technology. But if they will get it, then I would want Indians to be within.

[chetak]

Some important developments:

Oct. 14, Oct 16, and Oct. 18 - three days, and three mysterious massive fire "accidents" have caused losses worth thousands of crores of Taka.
First it was Mirpur Chemical factory fire - it was a devastating one. Then it was followed by Chittagong Free Economic Trade Zone fire - and it caused several loss of life. Finally, on 18th Dhaka International Airport's (Shahjalal International Airport's) entire import cargo depot got gutted in a devastating fire. Local business owners not only lost huge amount of imported materials, but this disruption will cause loss of foreign orders. Obviously, those in power are pointing fingers at "RAA" / AL and "agints" of a neighboring country. .......

Apparently, 18 tons of Russian equipment for the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh was gutted in the fire in the Cargo village at Dhaka Airport

But for once I see some Beedis at least raising the finger at Amir Khan and his team of chefs. There is a slight change in wind direction since the last monsoon a year ago.

P.S. Personally, I would be happier if Bangladesh did not get any access to nuclear power technology. But if they will get it, then I would want Indians to be within.

Mukesh.Kumar ji,

are the lovestruck cheen feeling a teeny bit slighted by the double timing beedis who seem to be hitting it off rather well with their new found love interest, the flashy amrikis

pro tennis players would call it: flame, set and match... .......

[chetak]

Fire at Shahjalal Int. Airport or Geopolitical Sabotage?

Did the Yunus Regime Help Washington Undermine Russia’s Role in Bangladesh’s Nuclear Future?

A sudden fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has destroyed 18 tons of critical Russian nuclear equipment meant for the
Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant, Raising questions that go far beyond “Technical Failure.”

According to airport sources, the cargo reportedly containing Reactor Control and safety system components from Russia’s novosibirsk was kept under government supervision pending customs clearance.

Within hours, a mysterious blaze erupted in the cargo terminal, reducing the entire shipment to ashes.

Officials quickly labeled it an “Accident,” but diplomatic circles and security analysts are now calling it a calculated act of Sabotage,
one that fits neatly into the Yunus regime’s recent pro-U.S. realignment.

A Pattern of Quiet Realignment

Since taking power, the Dr.Yunus-led administration has made a series of policy shifts aligning Dhaka with Washington’s regional strategy, including:

Re-opening defense dialogues previously frozen under Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Accepting U.S. technical “oversight” in critical infrastructure projects.

Showing unusual restraint on Russia-related sanctions enforcement.

The destruction of Russian Nuclear equipment, therefore, weakens Moscow’s position in Bangladesh’s energy sector, precisely when Washington has been lobbying for “Energy Diversification” and “Strategic Transparency.”

Convenient Timing, Hidden Hands

Sources inside the Civil Aviation Authority suggest security cameras were offline during the fire, and Emergency Responders arrived late despite being stationed only minutes away.

Was this merely negligence or deliberate obstruction to sabotage Russian cargo under the pretext of an “Airport Accident”?

Several high-ranking officials within the Ministry of Science and Technology, responsible for Ruppur, were reportedly instructed to delay Russian shipments for “Technical Review.”

The fire conveniently erased the most sensitive shipment yet.

Bangladesh in the Crossfire

This incident exposes Bangladesh’s precarious position in the emerging U.S.-Russia proxy competition in South Asia.

Moscow has already expressed “Serious Concern” over repeated “Logistical Disruptions,” while Washington praised Dhaka’s Commitment To Transparency” a statement many see as a thinly veiled nod to the incident.

“When 18 tons of Russian Nuclear equipment burn inside a secure government terminal, it’s not logistics- it’s Geopolitics,”
Said one senior diplomat in Dhaka.

The Uncomfortable Question

Was the Shahjalal Airport fire truly an accident or the first open signal that the Yunus regime has quietly traded Moscow for Washington, even if it means sabotaging Bangladesh’s largest national project?

[Dilbu]

DNA TV Show: Bangladesh's 'war plan' near India's chicken neck

Bangladesh has its sights set on India's Chicken Neck, the region that connects the entire country to the Northeast. This is being said because Bangladesh has begun reactivating its old airbase near the Chicken Neck after 54 years. It is reported that Bangladesh has begun rebuilding the Lalmonirhat airbase. Lalmonirhat is just 12-15 kilometers from the Indian border and 135 kilometers from Siliguri, which connects Northeast India to the mainland. There is no doubt that this could pose a significant threat to India.

The Bangladesh Army Chief recently visited this Lalmonirhat Airbase, adjacent to India. It is reported that construction work on the hangars for this airbase has begun. This Bangladeshi airbase had been closed since 1971, but why is it being reactivated now, 54 years later, needs to be understood. Located very close to the Indian border, this airbase poses a triangle of threat to India because Bangladesh is receiving assistance from China and Pakistan in building this airbase.

This airbase will give China the ability to monitor Indian military installations. It is being reported that Bangladesh may deploy JF-17 fighter jets acquired from China. It is reported that the contract for the reconstruction of this airbase has also been awarded to a Pakistani defense firm, which raises suspicions of ISI involvement here.

But India is also well-prepared to deal with this triangular threat. If Bangladesh attempts any misadventure against India from this airbase, it will be destroyed within minutes. The Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command, operating from Shillong, is responsible for these areas. The Air Force has a total of 15 air force stations, of which 7-8 are major air bases that fall within the jurisdiction of Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat airbase.

The closest airbase to this Bangladesh airbase is Hashimara Airbase in Falta, West Bengal, where two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets, or 36 jets, are deployed. It is just 85 kilometers from Lalmonirhat, meaning a strike could be launched within 10 to 15 minutes. Kailashnagar Airbase in Tripura is also just 100 kilometers away, where 12-18 fighter jets deployed can launch a strike within 20 minutes. The 18 Sukhoi fighter jets deployed at Bagdogra Air Force Station in Siliguri can also strike across the Bangladesh border in 25 minutes. Despite this, Bangladesh, under the influence of China and Pakistan, is thinking of reactivating this airbase, but perhaps Bangladesh has forgotten that in 1971, India had done such a bad thing to this airbase that it has not been able to start again till date.

[sanjaykumar]

It is within artillery range. It would be foolish to put up a significant air depot there. The Indians can shell it all day long.

[Tanaji]

I think it’s more of a tactic to force IA/IAF to divert its resources towards Bangladesh rather than China. Even the Beedis can’t be that stupid to think that India will keep quiet when its access to NE gets cut off… This is Musharraf level of stupidity.

[A_Gupta]

https://nenews.in/neighbours/exclusive- ... der/34536/

Northeast News’ exclusive photographs of the under-construction hangar, which is coming up close to a perimeter fencing on the western periphery of the Bangladesh Air Force-controlled and managed airbase, alongside which runs an asphalt road, conclusively prove what had been apprehended earlier: the sprawling airbase – or a portion of it – could be the site for a facility for parking fighter aircraft that the BAF seeks to acquire with the objective of replacing its aging fleet of J-7 planes.

[Kati]

Some BD sources (with pro-Desi slant) are now giving a different news now. They are saying that behind all the current China-Pak instigation to reconstruction of Lalmonirhat airforce base - which is actually a smokescreen - it is actually unkil who is setting up a powerful radar station there. It seems a bit strange though since given unkil’s sophisticated SIGINT capabilities why would they need a physical installation near that border area.

[sudhan]

There was quite a shrill build up from the beedis around Pahalgam attack about the chicken neck and what not.. Quickly subsided after the operations unfolded..

Wonder what gets their tails up from time to time.. there must be some hidden guarantees from Unkil thats keeping their lungis fluttering

[drnayar]

Some BD sources (with pro-Desi slant) are now giving a different news now. They are saying that behind all the current China-Pak instigation to reconstruction of Lalmonirhat airforce base - which is actually a smokescreen - it is actually unkil who is setting up a powerful radar station there. It seems a bit strange though since given unkil’s sophisticated SIGINT capabilities why would they need a physical installation near that border area.

covert ops stations can doUble up as SIGINT

[Kati]

A controlled fire at BGB HQ in Dhaka today - around 12 noon. Official version - disposing off garbage. But the neighbors from high rises said it was a planned effort to destroy all documents and records.

[Kati]

A drama is unfolding in Dhaka today.
15 army officers have been taken into custody under the direction of International War Crime Tribunal for killing and torturing civilians before the fall of Hasina govt last August. This has created a sharp division not only within the armed forces but also in the entire country.

[uddu]

https://x.com/btarunr/status/1980662200663687460
@btarunr
Revolting to know that some of the distant parts of Northeast were relying on kanglu telecom companies for Internet.

https://x.com/RT_India_news/status/1980615048969048188
@RT_India_news
India Pulls The Plug On Bandwidth Imports From Bangladesh

State-owned BSNL has officially stopped importing internet bandwidth from Bangladesh, as the nation strengthens efforts to make the northeast more digitally self-reliant.

India’s digital backbone has rapidly grown in recent years, with new fibre links and satellite internet projects extending deeper into remote regions - including the “Seven Sisters."

[Kati]

There is some chatter that the inhabitant of Safed Makaan has given Haara Batti to bring Hasina back. (Some are claiming that MR has conveyed this to SJ.) Yesterday there was a big show of strength by AL in Dhaka.

[chetak]

There is some chatter that the inhabitant of Safed Makaan has given Haara Batti to bring Hasina back. (Some are claiming that MR has conveyed this to SJ.) Yesterday there was a big show of strength by AL in Dhaka.

Kati ji,

A death sentence awaits hasina, if she is extradited.

No one expects her to be sent back under the prevailing circumstances

and no one trusts these beedis anyway, so one gathers that she will stay put in India and keep needling youanus on a regular basis.

That alone seems more than enough to get youanus's goat......

[Kati]

Chetak-Saar,
Agree with you.
But, just like releasing fish in a new aquarium one tests the water to check its suitability, similarly the political water is being tested now. . . .

Did you notice that IMF, after much hoopla, is now backing out, and saying that they can’t sanction any loan without a legit govt. This has made Yunus wetting his lungi. I believe all this is happening under Safed Makaan’s direction.

At the end of the day, be it in TSP or in Beedi-land, from mango jihadists on the street to closet jihadists in uniform - all are very scared of Khan’s dandaa. They will fall in line if Khan says so.

[Manish_P]

....
A death sentence awaits hasina, if she is extradited.
....
That alone seems more than enough to get youanus's goat......

Chetak sir, the CABbie himself is 85. He doesn't have too much time left.

He is possibly also exposed & vulnerable due to his past - russian ex-wife, lesbian daughter

Who is next mukhota after him ?

[Kati]

A raging debate is going on in BD social media circles about the sudden visit to India by Noor Khan Liton
which was kept under wraps till yesterday.

After the fall of Hasina govt, the transitional govt did set up a "Goom (= disappearance) Commission"
(see here: Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commissio ... ppearances)
to investigate numerous cases of disappearances of opposition party members. Then, after several months of investigation, the commission have identified several army commanders as well as DGFI officers who gave the orders to kill and kidnap people who opposed the then govt. Eventually, fifteen of those twenty five identified had been summoned by the commission two days ago (Oct 22nd) to appear before the commission. Another ten or so can't be traced officially, even though unofficially it is widely known that they are in India, kept in safe houses - mostly in Kolkata. Most most vocal member of the commission has been Noor Khan Liton who made official claims that the entire operation of killing and kidnapping was done by DGFI with the help of RAW. It was also documented by the commission that RAW and DGFI regularly exchanged prisoners across the border without any official declarations. On one hand, DGFI handed over the individuals wanted by India (especially NE secessionists), and on the other hand RAW handed over the ones who were on the wrong side of the Hasina govt.

Now suddenly it has been learned that Noor Khan Liton is in India for an extended visit. When he was contacted by an investigative journalist he claimed that it's his personal visit to Ajmeer and Delhi dargahs, knowing little that the interim govt of BD has declared his visit as an "official" one. If it were a personal visit then how did he get a visa, especially when India has stopped issuing all tourist visas to BD people except medical ones. On the other hand, being so vocal against India/RAW accusing it as the main culprit behind all the disappearances how could he been granted a diplomatic visa?

So the social media is of the opinion that Yunus has sent Noor Khan Liton as an emissary to find a middle ground with GoI. Some are calling it Noor Khan's mercy plea to Doval / SJ to give Yunus an honorable exit. Some are calling it to find a possible formula for Hasina's return. (This is when IMF has refused to sanction a life-saving loan.) Already, in BD media there is a discussion that no fair and free election can happen when a major party (read, AL) is "banned" from taking part.

More interestingly, Noor Khan Liton flew to Delhi from Dhaka, and then after spending a week there he is supposed to take a detour to Kolkata (to meet the exiled army / DGFI officers????), and then take a train ride from Kolkata to Dhaka through Benapol-Petropol border crossing.

Interesting time ahead.

[Amber G.]

Brent Christensen - Nominee for US Ambassador to Bangladesh :

'The people of Bangladesh will go to the polls early next year – the country’s most consequential election in decades – to choose a new government and a new path forward'

[Kati]

Have been following a few BD YTubers.....
Found some nuggets.
When Hasina was in power, and BNP/Jamaat leaders were running helter-skelter, then a prominent
BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed sudenly vanished from Dhaka's posh Uttara locality in 2015 ..... and then suddenly after a few
days he was found loitering around in Shillong (Meghalaya). He claimed that he had no memory how he got there. .....
Then, more mysteriously, he started living in a posh bunglow in Shillong (picture of which appeared in BD media). Who funded
his stay, and what he did in those nine years remained a mystery...... Then once Hasina was ousted in August, 2024, Salauddin Ahmed
suddenly returned to Dhaka and got involved in local politics heavily.