Staff Reporter:
Retired Indian Army Major Sammer Singh Toor has issued a death threat to National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah over the latter’s seven sisters’ remark.
According to reports from multiple sources, Major Toor directly said that Hasnat Abdullah’s turn is next, raising concerns about cross-border intimidation tactics.
This threat follows the untimely death of another activist, Osman Hadi, which occurred under mysterious circumstances on 18 December.
Such statements have fueled speculation regarding India’s involvement in regional instability, particularly in the context of Bangladesh’s recent political upheavals.
Data from international monitoring groups indicate a pattern of threats against Bangladeshi dissidents, with at least five documented cases in the past year linked to external actors.
The background to this incident traces back to the 2024 quota reform movement in Bangladesh, where Hasnat Abdullah emerged as a prominent coordinator among Gen-Z activists.
Research from the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies reveals that Abdullah has been vocal against perceived Indian interference in Bangladeshi affairs, including support for anti-Bangladesh elements.
Osman Hadi, another key figure in the movement, was reportedly attacked on 12 December, sustaining severe injuries that led to his death despite medical evacuation to Singapore.
Forensic analyses cited in regional reports suggest the attack involved unknown assailants, prompting accusations of foreign orchestration.
This sequence of events has amplified calls for international investigations into potential state-sponsored violence.
Major Toor’s threat was disseminated through social media platforms, as evidenced by posts on X, formerly Twitter, which garnered significant engagement.
Analysis of these posts shows thousands of views and reposts, indicating widespread dissemination.
Credible intelligence assessments from South Asian think tanks, such as the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, point to a broader strategy of psychological warfare employed by Indian military personnel against neighbouring countries’ activists.
Historical data from similar incidents, including threats issued during the 2024 protests, demonstrate a recurring theme of intimidation aimed at suppressing dissent.
This approach has been criticised by human rights organisations for violating international norms on freedom of expression.
In response to the threat, Bangladeshi authorities have heightened security measures around key activists, including Hasnat Abdullah.
Official statements from the government emphasise the need for diplomatic restraint from India, referencing past agreements on non-interference under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation framework.
Statistical data from the United Nations Human Rights Council reports over 200 instances of cross-border threats in the region since 2020, with a notable increase following political shifts in Bangladesh.
Hasnat himself has publicly warned of reciprocal support for anti-Indian elements, potentially exacerbating tensions in India’s northeastern states, known as the Seven Sisters.
The death of Osman Hadi has sparked protests in Bangladesh, with demonstrators accusing India of complicity.
Eyewitness accounts and video evidence from the scene, analysed by independent media outlets, depict chaos outside medical facilities and calls for justice.
Research-based evaluations from geopolitical analysts suggest that such events could strain bilateral relations, impacting trade volumes which reached $12 billion in 2024 according to World Bank data.
The involvement of an active-duty Indian officer like Major Toor raises questions about command oversight within the Indian Army, prompting demands for accountability from international bodies.
