Security agencies are closely monitoring the establishment of the National Armed Reserve (NAR) in Bangladesh. This radical unit is expected to include more than 8,000 radicalized Bangladeshi youth with the goal of enforcing Sharia law in the country. The NAR is intended to replace the existing police force and ensure strict Sharia law enforcement, according to Intelligence Bureau officials.
The initiative to create the NAR is believed to be orchestrated by the ISI and the Pakistan army, with the objective of reshaping the security landscape in Bangladesh. The plan involves the formation of a radical army and a police wing, with efforts underway to identify individuals in Bangladesh who exhibit strong pro-Pakistan sentiments and radical ideologies. Pakistani officials have already initiated meetings in pursuit of this plan.
Amidst these developments, there are internal divisions within the Bangladeshi army, with some advocating for democratic governance. However, the ISI is reportedly working to restructure the army leadership by placing individuals loyal to Pakistan in key positions. Brigadier (retd) Abdullahil Aman Azmi, a highly radicalized figure and son of the late Jamaat-e-Islami emir Golam Azam, has emerged as a central figure in this restructuring process.
Azmi has engaged in discussions with senior Pakistani officials and is expected to play a significant role in Bangladesh’s security framework, potentially starting as an advisor in the home ministry. Following the elections, Azmi is likely to assume leadership of the NAR. Pakistani diplomats have been actively engaging with Bangladeshi officials, with Azmi serving as a key intermediary between Dhaka and Islamabad.
Meetings between Azmi and Pakistani diplomats, including the Deputy High Commissioner, have raised concerns among intelligence agencies, hinting at significant developments on the horizon. Additionally, interactions between ISI officials and diplomats in Dhaka have fueled suspicions of a covert agenda leading up to the upcoming elections in February 2026.
The overarching plan appears to involve disrupting the democratic process in Bangladesh to establish a governance model akin to Pakistan’s, where the army wields substantial power behind a façade of democratic governance. The NAR is envisioned to supplant the police force, while individuals aligned with the Pakistan establishment would oversee the country’s administration.
The ultimate objective seems to be the transformation of Bangladesh into a radicalized state, supported by groups like the ISI-backed Jamaat-e-Islami. This radical unit aims to enforce strict adherence to radical Islamic principles. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh army is anticipated to be controlled by individuals influenced by Pakistan.
As developments unfold in Bangladesh, Indian intelligence agencies are bracing for a challenging period ahead. The nation is grappling with heightened tensions fueled by misinformation propagated by the ISI, while efforts to exert influence over various institutions continue unabated.
