Religious militancy: What are we in for?

What has been a matter of inference and supposition thus far has now come to be proved. That there were underground radical Islamic militant groups, with the purpose of establishing a theological state, through violent means, has been finally exposed through the almost five hundred near-simultaneous bombings in all the sixty four districts save one, on August 17. The likelihood of other latent militant groups in the country cannot be discounted either.

The possibility that such a group exists in Bangladesh has been a matter of public discourse, discussion, and debate in the media over the last several years, and a matter of constant denial by the government, dismissing all such possibilities out of hand.

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This is what we said not so long ago: "One cannot help notice the reluctance of many in the administration to acknowledge the possible existence of extremist groups in Bangladesh, with strong religious motivations, capable of carrying out violence. Such remarks display an ostrich like attitude when it comes to acknowledging the presence of extremist elements in our country. Acknowledging the possibility of the presence of religious extremists in Bangladesh does not adversely affect our image abroad. What sullies our reputation, not to speak of the grave implications these have for our national security, are acts like the one we witnessed in Habiganj recently."(DS Feb 3, 2005).

Recent reports on their presence and operation have confirmed our apprehensions.

As usual the two major parties have not minced words in laying the blame on each other. It seems they have no doubt as to who were behind the acts of August 17. It is a pity that neither has any proof to substantiate their claims. That is not surprising either. Thus to the common man such utterances are not only uncalled for, these are also very irresponsible.

Not only the political parties, but also many informed members of the public see the purpose behind these acts in a very narrow way. All manner of explanations from spoiling the lawyers' programme of the day, to embarrassing the government, to the government's hand in the episode with ulterior motives, to laying the blame on the opposition, have been heard from various quarters, including politicians belonging to the two major political parties. Some think that these are but efforts to embarrass the government and spoil the image of the country.

Rushing to judgment or mutual blame game has never been helpful in addressing an issue that has very serious implications for our national security. There is indeed a deep-rooted conspiracy that is aimed not merely at the image of the country or the party in power. There is also more to it than merely creating panic. Their aim is to strike at the very foundation of Bangladesh as a state and as a nation.

Even now some would like to discount the link between the leaflets found at the site of the bombings and the perpetrators, because of the fact the persons behind these terror bombings would hardly be expected to leave their signature behind. Those who fail to see the link between the bombings and the leaflets, and are as yet unable to identify the perpetrators, are fooling nobody but themselves. There is very little doubt about the group behind these bombings. It has made no secret at all of its intentions and of its motivations and religious-political compulsions, which it expounded through the leaflets found at the places of the blasts. Those who prefer to continue to deny the link do so at the peril of the country's security.

Those in a hurry to disprove the link between the proscribed militant group and the bombings, cite the fact that such an operation would involve a deep-rooted organisational set-up with countrywide tentacles spread at the grassroots, with a highly organised and intelligent core group, with plenty of funds and intelligence capabilities. Well, that is what begs the question. Why are we discounting the possibility that there is exactly such a group with all the above-mentioned attributes in existence in Bangladesh? Does not the well synchronised bombings prove the very argument that these people are trying to offer against such a possibility?

Let's elucidate certain aspects of the bombings in a bit more detail to see if those arguments are tenable. I believe there are four things that have been made abundantly clear and that which all, particularly those at the helm of affairs, must take note of.

First, this was a way announcing the presence of the group, quite in keeping with the tactics of any terrorist or militant entity. Their presence is generally announced in a spectacular way, and nothing could have been more spectacular than detonating nearly 500 bombs near-simultaneously. The purpose of the militants is not only to make us aware of their existence, but also to make the government appear helpless, which they have done successfully. Taking of lives was deliberately avoided to prevent their actions becoming counter-productive.

That this group is linked with the other bombings in Bangladesh cannot be said with certainty. But if they were, and did not announce their presence in the manner they did this time, this was perhaps because they had not acquired the sophistication or were established on the ground strongly enough to do so until now.

Second, they have demonstrated their ability and competence very clearly by outwitting and outfoxing the intelligence and security agencies.

Third, one is left in no doubt that here is a group that is highly organised and disciplined.

Fourth, it has been amply demonstrated that the group has an extensive network that extends to all corners of the country.

However, there are perhaps compelling reasons to believe that this group is not without its sponsors. Such an organised group can hardly operate without their local patron, but more importantly, without foreign sponsors such a profound and extensive action would not have been possible. But one wonders about the level of public support for their cause.

As for the intelligence failure, there are two conclusions that one can draw. One, it was really a failure of "epic proportions that admits of no excuses" as so aptly editorialised by the DS. Or else, the warnings were indeed picked up but went unheeded by those at the helm of affairs. On both counts the folly is inexcusable, given the fact that the administration was in a state of alert between August 14 and 16. For the bombers to put their plan into operations, without being noticed, while our security forces were supposed to be more vigilant, speaks of the crass callowness with which security is addressed in our country.

We have been constantly calling for the revitalisation of the intelligence agencies. Those who know will not disagree that our counter-intelligence capabilities are very thin on the ground. And whatever little there is has been even more dissipated by being tasked for missions that are more political and extraneous to the work of these agencies.

There are two things that the government must do posthaste. Without indulging in any further denial game it should devote all its energies to get after these so-called Islamists and seize them before they do more harm to the country. Their political ideology, that stems from their own religious beliefs, has nothing to do with the teachings of Islam.

Equally important is to get to the bottom of the unmitigated intelligence failure that for almost two hours plunged the country in a state of utter helplessness. It's time the government woke up to the realities on the ground.

Otherwise, our worst fears may well come to pass.

The author is Editor, Defence and Strategic Affairs, The Daily Star.