Dhaka, Feb 1 (NationPress) In a shocking development, a report has alleged that at least four Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were on board Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-342, which landed in Dhaka from Karachi earlier this week, mere days after the contentious resumption of direct air services between the two nations.

The claim was made by investigative journalist Sahidul Hasan Khokon, who characterized this situation as a revelation of what he refers to as the Yunus regime's alarming facilitation of terrorist entry into Bangladesh, along with its purported pro-Islamist and Pakistan-friendly stance, as reported by local media.

In a post on X, Khokon indicated that flight BG-342 took off from Karachi's Jinnah International Airport and arrived at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:20 a.m. on January 30, carrying 113 passengers.

Khokon identified some passengers as operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba, with their names and affiliations evident in their travel documents, suggesting significant security oversights, either due to negligence or intentional inaction from the current government.

His post stated, "Arrival of Lashkar-e-Taiba militants from Pakistan to Bangladesh," including images appearing to show the alleged operatives' passport details.

This revelation comes shortly after the Yunus government decided to restart direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi, reinstating a route after a 14-year hiatus, according to a report from The Daily Republic.

The initiative followed undisclosed agreements with Pakistani authorities and included ceremonial events like water cannon salutes.

Critics argue that this revival coincided with numerous contentious concessions, such as special visa waivers for Pakistani officials, relaxed inspections for Pakistani vessels at Bangladeshi ports, and reduced scrutiny of bilateral exchanges.

The current allegations heighten fears that civilian flights could be misused for terrorist movements.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, designated as a terrorist group by the UN, is known for its role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and various other attacks, with backing from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.

Experts suggest the allegations of its presence in Bangladesh align with a broader trend of increasing extremist activities under the present administration, as reported by The Daily Republic.

The group has previously asserted its involvement in the unrest leading to the ousting of the Awami League government in July–August 2024.

Additionally, reports indicated that fugitive jihadists and convicted criminals, including Syed Ziaul Haque and Abul Kalam Azad, alias Bachchu Razakar, entered Bangladesh using Pakistani passports.

In another concerning development, Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, a close associate of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, visited Bangladesh for several weeks in October 2025, during which he toured sensitive areas along the India-Bangladesh border.

Zaheer reportedly delivered speeches advocating for sacrifices “for the cause of Islam,” unity against “secular and liberal forces,” and the incorporation of Kashmir into Pakistan while interacting with local radical groups linked to Ahl-e-Hadith Bangladesh.

This was his second visit since Yunus took power, following a previous trip in February 2025.

Security experts have cautioned that such "religious outreach" might be a guise for restoring LeT’s cross-border networks, recruiting in vulnerable areas, and planning operations targeting India’s eastern frontier and northeastern states.

Critics further assert that the Yunus administration's increasing ties with Pakistan’s intelligence community, coupled with weakened domestic security mechanisms, exemptions for Pakistani cargo inspections, and relaxed visa screening, have effectively rendered Bangladesh a permissive transit area for jihadist organizations, as noted by The Daily Republic.

Concerns have arisen regarding how the alleged LeT operatives were allowed entry and the preferential treatment shown to Pakistan-linked entities.

Demands for immediate investigations, stricter border controls, and a reevaluation of Dhaka's Pakistan policy have been voiced, with warnings that continued inaction could further jeopardize national security for political expediency and ideological alliances.