Suspect Signals Near Indo-Bangladesh Border: Need to Listen More

During February 2025, Amateur Radio Operators in West Bengal reported monitoring suspect radio transmissions (mostly VHF) near India-Bangladesh border in areas like Saidpur, Shonepur, Basirhat, Bongaon, Sunderbans and Gangasagar. Many of these locations fall in North and South 24 Parganas area. These communications were found to be in spoken Arabic, Urdu and Bengali (Bangladeshi accent). The HAM Radio Operators also reported the communications to be coded in nature with certain references to names of places such as Basirhat, Taki and Deganga. The originator of these signals did not respond to identification request by other HAM operators (a practice followed by the global HAM Radio community).

Besides the content profile of these emissions, their time of occurrence between 0100-0300 hrs early morning make them even more intriguing. The timing, frequency ranges, use of multiple languages and the area of coverage indicate that the communications are highly suspect and deliberate. The HAM enthusiasts in Bengal also reported that such emissions were first observed in mid-December 2024 in Sodepur, North 24 Parganas and during the Gangasagar Mela in mid-January. They also recall that similar developments during 2002 and subsequent years, coincided with an increased terrorist activity from across Bangladesh borders.

The frequency range (VHF) of these signals indicate their origin from inside Bangladesh. It is interesting that some of the areas where these signals were monitored, happen to be located opposite the Bihari Muslim concentration areas in Bangladesh (a legacy of 1971). This can partially explain the use of Urdu language, which is used by the community. Arabic is primarily used in Bangladesh for religious discourse and study of Quran. However, its use for coded communication compels a comparison with the Pakistan and Afghanistan context, and would need an extra emphasis by the security agencies.

The occurrence of suspect signals opposite Rangpur (Bangladesh) deserves particular attention due to its proximity to the sensitive Siliguri corridor. Rangpur also happens to be one of the concentration areas for the Bihari Muslim population in Bangladesh. A preliminary survey of social media and internet data indicates that the use of Urdu language has increased in the area, especially in North-West Rangpur in areas like Balaidanga, Saidpur (Rangpur, Bangladesh).

On 21 January 2025, a Pakistani ISI delegation visited Bangladesh, an unprecedented development for the Intelligence apparatus in the country. The delegation, which travelled by the Emirates Airlines from Dubai, was reported to have been received by a senior official from Bangladesh's DGFI at the airport. The ISI team included Maj Gen Shahid Amir Afsar, Head of ISI’s Analysis Wing, who was earlier posted as Pakistan's Defence Attache in Beijing. The delegation was reported to have later met Lt Gen Muhammad Faizur Rahman, QMG of the Bangladesh Army. The Bangladeshi QMG is known to be linked with Jamaat Islamists and has an affinity towards Pakistani military and intelligence establishment. It was also reported that the visit agenda anchored on intelligence sharing and establishment of an Information Sharing network, which justifies inclusion of the Head of ISI’s Analysis wing in the team. Media reported that the two sides discussed the possibility of establishing ISI presence in Cox’s Bazar, Ukhiya, Teknaf, Maulvi Bazar, Habiganj and Sherpur. The ISI team also visited areas near Indo-Bangladesh borders, including locations in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna. It needs mention that the areas near Cox Bazar experience relatively higher influence of the extremist Islamic ideology with a potent presence of Bangladeshi Jamaat-e-Islami and its Student's wing. It is not a coincidence the BNP also maintains a large support presence in these areas.

This visit follows an earlier high-level visit of the Bangladesh Army to Pakistan in the same month, which included a very cordial meeting with the Pakistani Army Chief. It would not take too much of imagination about the target of such an intelligence sharing endeavour, which is bound to be India. While both countries are severely affected by terrorism and religious extremism, these issues may not be attractive enough to kick start an intelligence cooperation between two nations with as violent mutual history as Bangladesh and Pakistan. It is ironic that extremism anchored in Pakistan has now become an attractive option for those steering Bangladesh post August 2024.

On our part, while diplomatic and other initiatives are being exercised to address the Bangladeshi developments, the suspect emissions near borders provide a compelling need to put in place a ‘persistent and potent’ Sigint coverage over the entire Indo-Bangladesh border. As Bangladesh borders during Sheikh Hasina years were relatively considered quiet, Indian strategic agencies remained focussed on the Pakistan and China threat. However, the post August 2024 developments in Bangladesh now demand an additional Intelligence / Sigint emphasis on Bangladesh, in addition to the Western and Northern adversaries. This may require deployment of Bangladesh specific Intelligence / Techint assets beyond those currently available with the Indian border guarding forces.

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