Bangladesh frees ex-minister who funded POK terrorists against India

In a controversial move, Bangladesh has released Abdus Salam Pintu, a former junior minister and member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), after 17 years in prison. Pintu, who funded Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) terrorists, was involved in several terror activities against India, including supporting the Pakistan-based terrorist group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI).

Pintu played a key role in recruiting and training terrorists in POK and procuring weapons for insurgents in Kashmir. He was also linked to the 2004 grenade attack on Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which aimed to destabilize her government.

The release of Pintu follows the acquittal of another BNP leader, Lutfozzaman Babar, who was also involved in the grenade attack. Both men were connected to HuJI and helped in recruiting madrassa students and supporting terror operations in India.

HuJI, known for its attacks in India, including bombings in Varanasi, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, and Delhi, has long been a threat to India’s security. The group receives support from Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, and has collaborated with other terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The decision to free Pintu has raised concerns in India, especially with the growing influence of hardline Islamist groups in Bangladesh. This development could strain relations between India and Bangladesh, as the release of individuals linked to terrorism is seen as a threat to regional security.