Bangladeshi Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Radicalising Muslim Youths and Fundraising for Terrorism

A Bangladeshi individual has been sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment by an NIA court for radicalising Muslim youths and funding terror activities. Jahidul Islam, also known as Kausar, has been fined Rs 57,000 for offences including dacoity, conspiracy, and raising funds, according to a statement from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday.

Jahidul Islam, identified as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) Amir in India, illegally entered the country in 2014. He crossed over with Salauddin Salehin, the JMB head who remains at large. They escaped from Bangladesh police custody following the 2005 serial blasts in Bangladesh.

Radicalisation and Recruitment Activities

After entering India, Jahidul and his associates were involved in the October 2014 Burdwan blast case. This incident resulted in two deaths and one injury due to a bomb explosion at a house in Khagragarh, Burdwan, West Bengal. Following this event, Jahidul fled to Bengaluru.

In Bengaluru, Jahidul focused on radicalising and recruiting young Muslims from West Bengal and Assam. His aim was to further the anti-India agenda of JMB. The NIA revealed that he played a role in the Bodhgaya blast in January 2018.

Funding Through Dacoity

The investigation disclosed that Jahidul and his associates planned to raise funds through dacoity to support JMB's activities. In 2018, they executed four dacoities in Bengaluru. The stolen money was used to buy ammunition and secure hideouts for training purposes.

The NIA's findings indicate that these funds were crucial for carrying out terrorist activities. The agency stated that the looted money facilitated their operations significantly.

Convictions and Legal Proceedings

With Jahidul's conviction, a total of 11 individuals have been found guilty in these cases. The NIA's statement highlighted the ongoing efforts to bring all involved parties to justice.

The legal proceedings underscore the seriousness of the charges against Jahidul and his network. The authorities continue to pursue those still at large to dismantle such networks completely.

This case highlights the challenges faced by security agencies in combating terrorism and radicalisation. It also underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing cross-border terrorism threats effectively.