Turkey-Pakistan Backed Militant Shift Spurs Terror Migration, Bases In Bangladesh, Nepal | Exclusive

Last Updated:November 10, 2025, 11:01 IST

The assessment has prompted Indian security agencies to heighten monitoring of border regions and scrutinise foreign-funded projects in neighbouring countries

An official said the assessment underscores Turkish funding channels active inside Bangladesh, along with Pakistan’s continuing transfer of trainers, operational support and infrastructural assistance. (iStock)

A fresh periodic security assessment by Indian agencies has raised serious concerns over evolving militant and military dynamics in South Asia, with an official aware of the document stating that Pakistan has “planned to shift some of its operational terror bases partly into neighbouring countries and has accelerated this after Operation Sindoor". According to the official, the assessment suggests that this repositioning is being channelled into Bangladesh and Nepal.

The official said the assessment identifies specific locations where new training camps and residential complexes are being developed, particularly along stretches of which are few kilometres away from India-Bangladesh and India-Nepal borders. These areas have witnessed “a fresh wave of cross-border movement", the official said, describing it as consistent with pre-operational logistical activity.

Assessment, which is based on weeks of notes and information gathered at different levels, has also noted about the terror infrastructure that is being built in Bangladesh.

The assessment also notes that operatives belonging to Bangladesh-based militant outfits have been arrested in recent months across Indian states adjoining Bangladesh and Nepal, which the official said indicates an attempt to establish new corridors for movement and recruitment.

The most concerning issue, as per the official quoting the assessment for India, is Turkey’s secret financial and technological support and Pakistan’s supplies to fuel such activities.

According to the official, the assessment has prompted Indian security agencies to heighten monitoring of border regions and scrutinise foreign-funded projects in neighbouring countries.

“These indicators require sustained observation," the official said. “The assessment recommends closer regional counter-terrorism coordination and stronger oversight of transnational financial flows."

LeT, JeM Expanding in Nepal; AQIS and ISIS Strengthening in Bangladesh

While there is a concern in the Pakistan terror grid about damages due to India’s latest military action during Operation Sindoor, according to the official, the assessment warns that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) are expanding their footprint in Nepal. It further states that al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and ISIS-linked modules in Bangladesh are working to turn Bangladesh into a “new breeding ground" for radicalisation, recruitment and networking, as pressure intensifies on these groups elsewhere.

The efforts have been ramped up in the past five months.

The new camps have been built as colonies, and inputs are that a few restricted areas will be introduced to hide terror-related activities from the world. There is constant migration from certain parts of Pakistan primarily to Bangladesh, followed by Nepal, which is raising concerns.

Foreign Funding Channels Highlighted

The official said the assessment underscores Turkish funding channels active inside Bangladesh, along with Pakistan’s continuing transfer of trainers, operational support and infrastructural assistance to various emerging groups.

According to the official, the assessment mentions a “quadrilateral alignment" involving Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It also states that certain infrastructure projects near the Indo-Nepal border have received covert Turkish funding, allegedly intended to support Pakistan’s wider objective of destabilising India and the South Asian security environment.

Turkey–Bangladesh Closeness Deepens

Türkiye and Bangladesh are constantly involved in political engagements.

Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci visited Dhaka in early October for the 4th Round of Political Consultations, where the two governments discussed trade, investment, defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, connectivity, education and humanitarian issues. She also paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and held meetings with leaders across Bangladesh’s political spectrum.

Defence Cooperation Sees Rapid Momentum

According to confirmed government-level communications, Türkiye and Bangladesh reviewed their ongoing defence and security cooperation during the October consultations, noting progress in defence industry collaboration, procurement, training and capacity building.

In addition, Bangladesh is expanding its Bayraktar TB2 UAV fleet, a development acknowledged in multiple official and trade discussions.

Talks are underway, according to industry reports, for Bangladesh to acquire modern Turkish air-defence systems, including Hisar-O+ and Siper.

These discussions have not yet culminated in an official contract, but authoritative defence outlets say the systems are reportedly under negotiation, with tentative delivery windows circulating in specialist reporting.

The head of Türkiye’s Defence Industry Agency, Haluk Görgün, recently visited Bangladesh, where he held discussions on defence cooperation and technology transfer, a fact confirmed by multiple official and state-linked sources.

Ideological Influence and Destabilisation Efforts

The official said the assessment warns that Pakistan and Turkey may be “coordinating ideological and operational activity" across Bangladesh and Nepal. The assessment also talks about Funds, weapons and extremist propaganda have been transferred into Bangladesh.

Turkish intelligence is reportedly involved in financing renovations of the Jamaat-e-Islami office in Dhaka.

Ankur Sharma

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...Read More

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...

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