Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Wazed Claims Fugitive Al-Qaeda Leader Lives Freely in Bangladesh
Sajeeb Wazed says a man accused of being an important Al-Qaeda leader cannot be found in Bangladesh.
The man is Maulana Ikramul Haque, who is also known as Abu Talha and other names.
Police arrested him and his wife in 2023.
He was released on bail in October 2024.
Wazed says Haque has been missing since then.
A report from the United Nations Security Council reportedly says Al-Qaeda wants to build more groups in Bangladesh.
Haque’s father reportedly says he may be teaching at a religious school in Narayanganj.
Police reportedly say they are trying to find him, but Wazed says the search has not worked.
Sajeeb Wazed alleged that Maulana Ikramul Haque, also known as Abu Talha, is living openly in Bangladesh after receiving bail.
Haque was arrested with his wife in Dhaka in May 2023 and released from jail in October 2024.
Wazed said Haque is allegedly a senior Al-Qaeda figure in the Indian Subcontinent and uses multiple aliases and a fake Indian passport.
The United Nations Security Council reportedly warned that Al-Qaeda is seeking to expand its network and establish active cells in Bangladesh.
Wazed criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government, while police reportedly said they had heard Haque was teaching at a madrasa and were trying to locate him.
- Who
- Sajeeb Wazed made the allegation about Maulana Ikramul Haque, also known as Abu Talha, whom the article describes as an alleged senior Al-Qaeda figure.
- What
- Wazed claimed Haque has been living freely in Bangladesh after being released on bail and has not been located.
- When
- Haque was arrested in May 2023 and released on bail in October 2024; Wazed said nearly 22 months had passed since his disappearance.
- Where
- Haque was arrested in Dhaka and is reportedly believed by his father to be teaching at a madrasa in Narayanganj.
- Why
- Wazed argued that authorities have failed to locate Haque despite terrorism-related allegations and warnings about Al-Qaeda activity in Bangladesh.
Wazed’s allegations
Reported official position
Haque’s whereabouts
Wazed’s allegations
Wazed alleged that Haque has been missing for nearly 22 months after his release and suggested that people close to power may be protecting him.
Reported official position
A police superintendent reportedly said authorities had heard Haque was teaching at a madrasa and were working to locate him.
Government response
Wazed’s allegations
Wazed accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government of making no meaningful effort to find Haque and criticized the handling of his case.
Reported official position
The article reports that police said efforts to locate Haque were underway, but it does not provide a detailed government response to Wazed’s accusations.
Al-Qaeda threat
Wazed’s allegations
Wazed cited the United Nations Security Council and alleged that Al-Qaeda-linked groups remain active in Bangladesh, including through Ansar al-Islam.
Reported official position
The article presents the United Nations warning as a reported assessment but provides no detailed counterclaim from Bangladeshi authorities about the extent of the threat.
- Accused person
- Maulana Ikramul Haque, also known as Abu Talha, with several reported aliases
- Arrest
- Arrested with his wife, Faria Afrin, in Dhaka’s Madartek area in May 2023
- Release
- Released on bail from Kashimpur Jail in October 2024
- Alleged affiliation
- Described by Wazed as the alleged second-highest-ranking leader of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent
- Reported aliases
- Abu Talha, Maulana Sabet, Nur Hossain, Mansur and Milan
- United Nations warning
- The United Nations Security Council reportedly warned that Al-Qaeda is seeking to establish active cells in Bangladesh
- Reported police position
- A police superintendent reportedly said he had heard Haque was teaching and that efforts were underway to locate him