Is Nepal the New Frontier for ISI's Anti-India Operations?

New Delhi, July 29 (NationPress) After transforming Bangladesh into its operational base, the ISI is now setting its sights on Nepal, aiming to establish another front against India. There is a concerted effort to increase the population of Pakistanis in Nepal, with the ultimate aim of turning them into assets to execute terror attacks against India.

A report from the local newspaper, Purbokone, highlights that an organization named Alhaj Shamshul Haque Foundation, also referred to as the Ash Foundation, has commenced construction of a mosque in the Inarawa area near Biratnagar in the Sunsari district.

The mosque, named Razzak Mosque, is being described as a spiritual hub for the local Muslim community. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on July 18, 2025, was presided over by Engineer Muhammad Nasir Uddin, Chairman of the Ash Foundation.

During the event, he expressed that the mosque would not only serve the needs of Muslims but also function as a center for Islamic outreach among the 95 percent non-Muslim population of Nepal.

According to the Ash Foundation, “Razzak Mosque is anticipated to become a spiritual and community hub for Muslims in Sunsari and a model of inter-community cooperation and development in Nepal. The foundation is dedicated to enhancing religious and educational infrastructure for underprivileged communities across South Asia.”

Indian intelligence agencies suspect covert support from the ISI for this initiative, which may also receive backing from certain Gulf nations and Turkey. In the long run, the mosque could potentially serve as a logistics center for ISI-affiliated terrorist groups.

Founded in 2018 and registered as an NGO in Bangladesh in 2022, the Ash Foundation had previously operated as a joint stock company. On July 18, the foundation appealed for public donations to finance the mosque's construction and similar initiatives in Nepal and neighboring countries.

In light of the recent political changes in Bangladesh, the ISI has seized the opportunity to extend its influence into neighboring countries.

The government of Muhammad Yunus, backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, has granted Pakistan a free hand to operate in Bangladesh. The ISI, which has established various training facilities in Bangladesh, is attempting to replicate this model in Nepal as part of its transnational jihadist expansion strategy.

Nepal, a predominantly Hindu nation, has historically been free from religious terrorism or radicalization efforts. However, it has been utilized by the ISI as a transit point for sending terrorists into India. Reports indicate that in 2023, terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda have sought to establish training camps in Nepal.

Various terror groups have also found refuge in Nepal to evade the scrutiny of intelligence agencies. Nonetheless, the recent developments are alarming, indicating a deliberate attempt to change the demographic landscape of Nepal.

Indian intelligence is concerned that such centers could promote extremism and disturb the majority community in Nepal. This mirrors the ISI's strategies in the northeastern states and parts of West Bengal, according to an Intelligence Bureau official.

The overarching goal appears to be infiltrating as many immigrants as possible, ensuring that the majority becomes a minority.

The ISI is reportedly emulating strategies used by various terror groups in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, where mosques and Islamic cultural centers have acted as hubs for intelligence gathering, radicalization, and recruitment.

Agencies are apprehensive that a similar scheme is unfolding in Nepal, and if not addressed promptly, it could escalate into a significant issue. Clearly, an attempt is being made to undermine a Hindu-majority nation with a broader agenda of inciting armed conflict and widespread unrest.