Fresh security concerns have emerged after a Bangladeshi investigative journalist alleged that individuals linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) entered Bangladesh via a commercial flight from Pakistan, raising questions about border screening and regional security.
Investigative reporter Sahidul Hasan Khokon claimed that Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-342 from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport landed at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 4:20 a.m. on January 30 with 113 passengers onboard. According to Khokon, several passengers were allegedly associated with LeT, with purported indicators visible in passport details he shared publicly.
Arrival of Lashkar-e-Taiba militants from Pakistan to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Biman flight ‘BG-342’ landed in Dhaka at 4:20 am on January 30 from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi with 113 passengers. The Lashkar-e-Taiba militants mentioned in the passports arrived in… pic.twitter.com/Qkx4GMxCez— Sahidul Hasan Khokon (@SahidulKhokonbd) January 31, 2026
The journalist alleged that the entries point to serious lapses in passenger vetting, suggesting either negligence or deliberate oversight. He argued that the incident exposes vulnerabilities in border control mechanisms and warrants an urgent probe by authorities.
The claims come amid heightened regional tensions following India’s declaration that any terror attack traced back to Pakistan would be treated as an act of war. In that backdrop, analysts have warned that militant networks could attempt to exploit routes through neighbouring countries to evade scrutiny.
Commentary cited by regional publications has cautioned Bangladesh to remain vigilant against the risk of its territory being misused as a logistical or ideological base for extremist activities targeting India. One analysis noted that radical groups have found space to regroup amid shifting political dynamics, creating openings that hostile actors could exploit.
A report referenced by Eurasia Review highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing strategy of leveraging ideological influence in the region, arguing that present conditions have lowered barriers for extremist organisations to gain a foothold. It urged India to prepare for potential spillover risks while advocating proactive counter-measures.
Separately, Bangladeshi weekly Blitz warned that allowing militant networks to operate—even indirectly—could entangle Bangladesh in Pakistan’s protracted conflict with India. The publication cited intelligence assessments alleging renewed coordination by Pakistan’s intelligence establishment to revive proxy operations against India, including efforts extending across eastern India and through Bangladesh.
According to those assessments, operatives allegedly trained across the border are being moved into sensitive areas with tasks ranging from subversion to sabotage. The reports claim that some recruits have received training in explosives and suicide operations, though independent verification of these allegations remains limited.
In India, security agencies have reportedly stepped up vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border, identifying vulnerable stretches that could be exploited for infiltration. Officials stress that while claims must be thoroughly verified, any attempt to use neighbouring territory for terror activities would pose a serious threat to regional stability.
