Arrest Warrant Issued for Bangladeshi Cricket Star Shakib Al Hasan

In a significant development, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has secretly dispatched a high-level delegation to Dhaka, raising alarms in New Delhi over potential implications for regional security. The delegation, comprising four senior ISI officials, including Major General Shahid Amir Afsar, landed in Bangladesh on January 21. The visit follows a recent military delegation from Bangladesh that met with top Pakistani military leaders in Rawalpindi. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed concerns regarding the strengthening military ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, stating that appropriate measures will be taken if necessary to safeguard India's national security interests. The spokesperson emphasized India's vigilance regarding activities occurring in the vicinity. The ISI delegation's arrival in Dhaka marks the first official visit of its kind in nearly two decades. Upon arrival, they were received by a senior official from Bangladesh's Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and have been granted access to several military installations to review Bangladesh's military capabilities. This surprising diplomatic maneuver comes in the context of Bangladesh's shifting military relations under its interim government, as previous Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had curtailed ISI activities due to concerns about political interference and extremist support. Observers suggest the growing military cooperation could create complications in the delicate security balance of the region.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has alleged multiple assassination plots against her following her ouster from power amid widespread protests last year. In an audio message shared by her party, the Awami League, Hasina expressed that she and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, narrowly escaped death by 20 to 25 minutes. Hasina fled to India after resigning in August 2024 as violent protests erupted, leading to her residence being attacked by an infuriated mob. She stated, "I feel it is the will of Allah that I have survived... Otherwise, I would not have been able to survive," while recalling previous assassination attempts, such as the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack that killed 24 people. Currently in exile, Hasina is facing scrutiny from Bangladesh's interim government, which has requested her extradition from India, citing various charges including enforced disappearances during her long tenure in office. The International Crimes Tribunal for Bangladesh has issued arrest warrants for her and is pursuing multiple cases related to human rights abuses. Hasina claimed to be suffering from the loss of her country and home during her rally address. The interim government has formally revoked her passport amid ongoing investigations, and the tribunal has set a deadline of February 12 for the capture of all accused parties, intensifying the pressure on Hasina and her supporters.

Recent video footage has revealed that Bangladeshi police killed or injured at least 20 unarmed protesters during the nationwide demonstrations on August 5, 2024, the day former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country. The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) conducted an analysis of the footage, documenting two previously unreported incidents in Dhaka where officers appeared to intentionally target peaceful civilians. Callum Macrae, the filmmaker behind the analysis, described the content of the videos as "extraordinary, chilling," and "grotesque," emphasizing that the police were under no immediate threat and had no legal justification for using lethal force against the protesters. Yasmin Sooka, executive director of the ITJP, expressed shock over the actions of the police, who fired live ammunition at unarmed demonstrators, resulting in significant casualties. The police's violent response to the protests, which began in July against Hasina's authoritarian regime, has been linked to over 1,000 civilian deaths as well as hundreds of injuries with police using methods ranging from batons to live ammunition. As protests intensified, Hasina fled in a helicopter on August 5, amidst escalating unrest, as the military refused to engage with peaceful demonstrators. Detailed analysis of the video evidence indicated that, during one incident, police opened fire on students near a police station, while another video subsequently showed an officer shooting a captured protester, identified as Mohammed Riddoy, at close range. Riddoy's family has since sought answers about his whereabouts. Bangladesh's Inspector General of Police, Baharul Alam, reported that they are conducting investigations into the police's actions during the protests, with at least 30 officers arrested so far. Despite these assurances, human rights advocates continue to call for an independent judicial process to address the violence and ensure accountability. As investigations continue, the implications of these incidents have led to a resurgence of calls for justice in Bangladesh, while Sheikh Hasina and her regime face numerous cases related to crimes against humanity and corruption.