Three decades ago, a haunting slogan,“We will all join Taliban, Bangladesh will turn into Afghanistan”, chanted by Islamist extremists in their street demonstrations, echoed through Dhaka. Years later, the same words are recalled by Bangladesh media houses and dailies, as apprehensions begin to shroud the country, following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August this year. About four months ago, in April, US President Joe Biden had announced his decision to end the 20-year war in Afghanistan between the US and the Islamist insurgents. As the US troops began to withdraw from the country, the Taliban began their downward descent from the northern provinces of Afghanistan, seizing more and more territory until they captured Kabul, the Afghan capital, effectively taking control of most of the country. While their victory has cast a shadow of uncertainty on the entire South Asian region, it has also reportedly had a rejuvenating effect on other Islamist extremist groups in the subcontinent, such as those in Bangladesh, who trace their roots to the Taliban.
Brewing apprehensions: Bangladesh watchful of Taliban | ORF (orfonline.org)
