New York blast is a wake-up call for the US and India
As soon as passengers, especially foreign tourists, started assembling underneath the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Brooklyn, the bustling borough of New York, on December 11, an explosion not only wreaked havoc on the crowd but also pushed the New York authorities into panic mode, fearing the worst terror attack. A large number of tourists had to be evacuated as part of the exigency to minimise casualties amid crowds running helter skelter for cover, causing a near stampede.
A 27-year-old Bangladeshi national, Akayed Ullah - the prime suspect - allegedly tied a crude bomb to his body, got grievously hurt and is now being treated at a local hospital. The bomb, part of an improvised explosive device, was successfully detonated and, fortunately, failed to cause much damage. The bomb was made up of a 12-inch long pipe, black powder, a nine-volt battery and a wire used for Christmas lights.
A resident of Brooklyn, Akayed Ullah has been living in New York for the last seven years and is believed to have been inspired by the ISIS. If he indeed carried out the crime, it clearly demonstrates the extent to which Bangladeshis are radicalised abroad.
Bangladeshis at risk
It's a myth that only homegrown terrorists are indoctrinated for furthering ISIS' designs. Bangladeshis have a huge presence almost all over the world and radicalising them should not come as a surprise.
Because of Akayed Ullah, Bangladeshis will now be subject to closer scrutiny by the US counter-terror agencies. They have a sizeable presence in western countries, especially in the UK where thousands from the southeast Asian country are engaged, legally and illegally, at hotels. Their existence may be imperilled due to tightened security measures in light of the terror attacks.
The latest misadventure, which comes within a couple of months of yet another ISIS-inspired plot in which Sayfullo Saipov (29) killed eight innocents by driving a truck over them during Halloween festivities, is surely a matter of concern.
Also, Christmas is close, making New York more vulnerable and fraught with fresh security challenges as any terror strike during the festivities would draw international attention. It may be recalled that, in 2016, Berlin saw a lonewolf attack during Christmas holidays, when many were fatally mowed down.
Meanwhile, ISIS-sponsored propaganda images are showing up, with Santa Claus holding his signature sack next to a bunch of dynamite sticks implying a prospective and impending terror attack during Christmas.
There is no intelligence warning or forecast; the message is loud and clear here and merits preventive measures. What more do we need? The warning is direct and in no vague terms. One of the images proclaims, "...will meet in Christmas".
According to counter-terror experts and analysts in the US, ISIS has penetrated deep into the system and is ready to hit hard at the slightest opportunity. According to Mia Bloom, who leads the Documenting the Virtual Caliphate project at Georgia State University, lessons for bomb-making are disseminated widely through various jihadi channels.
Bloom goes on to state that prospective ISIS fighters attempting to travel to what remained of their collapsing self-proclaimed caliphate in the past two-and-a-half months, have been turned back by recruiters.
It's most significant to note that within hours of the Port Authority attacks on December 11, ISIS propagandists running Nashir News, telegram channels and chatrooms distributed latest photos of packets containing instructions for the manufacture of remotely-controllable explosive devices. Such is the aggressive propaganda blitz by the ISIS, which has already made deep forays. The situation, therefore, looks grim and uncertain.
Very recently, Indian counter-terror authorities had received an audio believed to be from the ISIS media wing - it threatened to strike at religious congregations, including at the Kumbh Mela festivities which are round the corner.
Hence, we notice a pattern emerging between the attack in New York City and possibilities in India. At both locations, there is ISIS presence and radicalised elements are waiting to be exploited.
While Indian security agencies are alert and vigilant, foiling many attempts of youth who have joined the ISIS or are implementing their terror agenda within the country, additional measures for vigorous intelligence and a sharp lookout for radicalised hopefuls merit priority — lest our infrastructure and vulnerable spots fall prey to the designs of terrorists.