ARSA kingpin’s arrest contradicts Yunus’s claim of not supporting and harboring Islamist-jihadists in Bangladesh
With a high note of unfolded political drama, following DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s strong-worded warning about rise of Islamist-jihadist forces in Bangladesh thus pushing the country towards the fate of a Caliphate, Muhammad Yunus’ nervous regime begins arresting notorious Jihadists sheltered by under his direct patronization since August 5 jihadist coup.
Although Trump-hater Yunus and members of his inner-circle, many of whom are reportedly connected to a number of notorious jihadist and terrorist entities, including Hizb Ut-Tahrir, Hamas, Al Qaeda and others, his office publicly opposed DNI Tulsi Gabbard, as they were, in fact, primarily concerned about potential reactions from the Trump administration which may result in series of punitive measures, including sanctions targeting Yunus and his cronies.
Amidst such a complex security and political situation, breaking news has emerged on March 18 stating Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested 10 members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) including Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the kingpin of the group from Siddhirganj Bhoomi Palli residential area in Narayanganj, Dhaka, whereas four others were arrested in Mymensingh district while holding a secret meeting on the night of March 17.
They were plotting jihadist attacks on the Arakan Army and were having patronization from Pakistani spy agency Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), Palestinian Hamas and other terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda.
Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi is believed to have ordered the murder of a Rohingya leader namely Muhibullah. Ataullah, is also the main commander of ARSA and is named in the police charge-sheet for the murder of DGFI [Directorate General Forces Intelligence] officer Squadron Leader Rizwan Rushdi, who was killed during a joint anti-drug operation at the Tumbru border in Naiksyangchhari, Bandarban.
According to the media report, Squadron Leader Rizwan Rushdi of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) was abducted by an armed group affiliated with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). His body was later handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Naikhangchhari.
While explaining the situation, there is a need to mention of the Director National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s statement, on March 17, 2025, who told an Indian TV channel – NDTV, “President Donald Trump is truly worried about the present situation in Bangladesh over the longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians”.
Gabbard also added, “The longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern for the US government and President Trump and his administration”.
DNI Tulshi Gabbard put weight on the US government’s efforts to defeat Islamist terrorism worldwide. She also said that President Trump remains very committed to combating and defeating the threat of Islamist terrorism.
But the illegal Yunus regime in Dhaka opposed her and issued a statement on Chief Advisor’s official social media accounts stating:We note with deep concern and distress the remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate”.
This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and who has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism.
Gabbard’s comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush. Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts.
Groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an “Islamist caliphate” undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability, and progress.
Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of “Islamist caliphate”.
However, despite the current regime’s rejection of the Islamist atrocities in Bangladesh, it has been proven that ARSA has bases within the country. The group’s Chief Commander maintains deep connections with Pakistan’s ISI as well as Al Qaeda. He is also linked to Mufti Jashim Uddin Rahmani, the kingpin of Ansarullah Bangla Team, also known as Ansar Al Islam, a local franchise of Al Qaeda.
According to counterterrorism experts, arrest of ARSA is just the tip of iceberg, as since August 5 last year, members number of various terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, Islamic State (ISIS), and Hamas as well as insurgency groups such as United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) are enjoying state patronization in building and expanding their networks and training camps inside Bangladesh, while Pakistani ISI has established a base for trafficking various types of drugs, including cocaine with the help of transnational drug trafficking rackets such as Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company.
They said, Bangladesh soon to pose serious security threat to the region and beyond unless Trump administration takes urgent measures against Muhammad Yunus and removes his illegal regime – hold a free, fair and inclusive election and restore democracy in the country.
