Islamists militants have now targeted Bangladesh and its neighbour India for their future lone wolf attacks, according to an online publication in Bangla by a little-known pro-al Qaeda Balakot Media Group styled ‘Lone Wolf’, published in March this year and circulated via messaging app Telegram.
The publication, seen by Bangla Tribune, describes the process to its readers and urges them to pull off lone wolf attacks.
It even features a possible list of targets in Bangladesh, which include eminent historian Prof Muntassir Mamoon and Shahriar Kabir, president of Ekattorer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee. It also includes a rights activist, who had served as an adviser to a caretaker administration.
Following the Sri Lanka attacks, security agencies in Bangladesh have already declared an alert throughout the country. From Monday (Apr 28), police started blocked raids.
Top security officials also met on Sunday (Apr 27) to discuss the security measures. Dhaka metro police Commissioner Md. Asaduzzaman Mia all police units to step up security measures and intelligence surveillance ahead of May Day, Buddha Purnima, the Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr in Dhaka.
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit chief Monirul Islam said, “They (militants) have propagated material on lone wolf or sleeper cells on several previous occasions. We have informed the persons and the institutions on that list. We have already reviewed security measures for the people who are on the list. We have also informed the security agencies to remain vigilant.”
“Lone Wolf”
The Telegram app-circulated magazine “Lone Wolf”, with the publication dateline of March 2019. The publication appears to be a DIY manual for lone wolfs attacks.
A Lone Terrorist or “Lone Wolf,” is someone who prepares and commits violent acts alone, outside of any command structure and without material assistance from any group. Despite their name, so-called “lone wolf” terrorists need not work alone; they can be organised into “wolf packs”. Both terms describe terror cells that operate without the knowledge or financial support of their parent body.
Currently, this leaderless jihadist trend might spread all over the world, according to security experts.
A section of the publication dedicates on choosing targets.
Non-Muslims or any ranking officials from US, Israel, UK, France, and NATO countries, except for Turkey, are on the list. It also lists multi-national companies as target. ‘Whites/ Westerners’ on their list too who frequent to the eateries at upscale Dhaka neighbourhoods of Gulshan and Banani. They have also targeted people who are pro-India.
India a target indeed
The publication described India as a perfect target for lone wolf attacks, suggesting targeting western tourists in the neighbouring country. Possible sites for attacks included popular tourist destinations, bars, hotels and nightclubs. The Indian security force personnel are also in the list.
Target can be Chinese or Indian citizen
Describing the attack on popular sci-fi writer Dr. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal as an example of a lone wolf attack, the publication urged to attack on Indian establishments, including freight transporters. The list also includes Indian and Chinese freights and cargos. The list also named security personnel from western countries who are involved in different trainings as possible targets. It also cited UN, UNHCR, USAID, Action Aid, Christian Aid and other non-government organizations funded by the US. Russian and Chinese citizens involved in Bangladesh business are also possible targets according the magazine.
Eminent personalities and places of worship
Local and foreign media outlets are on the hit list. The atheists and known secular thinkers–activists are also on the list. The jihadist publication urges the possible lone wolfs to attack on Myanmars’ Buddhist citizens, including diplomats in Bangladesh. Hindu temples and worship places for other religions have been also described as a target.
“This Lone Wolf threat poses an alarming situation. The people who are primarily radicalized can go further by actually attacking the persons on the list by preparing through the process described in magazine”, a counter terror officer told Bangla Tribune, on condition of anonymity.
“Lone Wolf attacks are hard to prevent”
The Islamic State in the past urged its sympathisers to travel to Syria to help the fledgling state defend itself and expand. Lone Wolf attacks were for those who could not travel to the so-called ‘caliphate’. However, the group is now urging for more and more lone wolf attacks just like al Qaeda after 9/11 attacks.
Monirul Islam, Bangladesh’s senior most counter terror officer, said, “Lone-wolf attacks are hard to prevent. They are hard to track down because they don’t belong to any cells.”
The only way to prevent lone wolf attacks is through community engagement, according to him.
“Friends, family, and neighbours of would-be terrorists are more likely to notice any change or can notify the security agencies to know if something is amiss. That is why the government is trying to reach out to the people. Even the prime minister raised the issue in more than one occasion last week.”
Heightened security in Dhaka
On the backdrop of recent attacks in Sri Lanka, directives were issued for anti-militancy precautions and enforcement of an intensified nationwide intelligence vigil. However, none of the official admitted about any information regarding a certain attack. As per instruction from DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, the security forces are heightening security for the capital including places of worships.
