Hamas is aiming to broaden its influence globally, particularly in South Asia, after establishing a presence in Pakistan with the help of Inter-Services Intelligence. The group now eyes expansion into countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Indian agencies are closely monitoring the activities of an unorganised radical group named Tawhidi Janata, operating from Bangladesh.
Tawhidi Janata, known for sporadic activities over the years, has targeted Sufi institutions in Bangladesh in the past. The group, lacking a clear organizational structure, claims to advocate for Islamic monotheism. Agencies find it challenging to define their ideology, as they consist of radicalized youth promoting a violent interpretation of Islam.
The group’s affiliations are inconsistent, sometimes supporting the Islamic State and other times backing Al-Qaeda. Recently, they have been endorsing Hamas by advocating for the Palestinian cause. An Intelligence Bureau official highlighted that Hamas prefers to work through smaller groups to advance its agenda in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Tawhidi Janata has emerged prominently in supporting Hamas, displaying flags of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State openly in recent months. The group has been linked to attacks on Sufi shrines and Baul gatherings in Bangladesh, openly aligning with the Islamic State. Concrete intelligence suggests that Hamas is reaching out to Tawhidi Janata to expand its influence in Bangladesh, posing a significant threat to national security.
Security analysts note that Tawhidi Janata, despite its violent history, operates in an unstructured manner, making it challenging to monitor. The group’s decentralized approach, lack of terror modules or sleeper cells, further complicates tracking their activities. Members of Tawhidi Janata have connections with various radical groups, including banned outfits like Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
Hamas aims to collaborate with loosely organized groups like Tawhidi Janata to spread its ideology discreetly. The terror group’s strategy in Bangladesh focuses on ideological dissemination rather than routine attacks, with an eye on extending its influence into India. Tawhidi Janata’s recent campaign in Bangladesh, using social media and public demonstrations with Kalema flags, aligns closely with Hamas’ narrative, facilitating the terror group’s agenda.
