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Indian intelligence agencies have issued a high-level alert over growing concerns about extremist activities along the India-Nepal border, reportedly involving Turkish and Pakistani organisations. Officials warn that groups linked to radical ideologies are exploiting religious institutions and cross-border leniency to expand their networks in the Terai region of Nepal.
Foreign NGOs Under Scrutiny
One organisation attracting particular attention is the Turkish-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), which intelligence sources claim has significantly expanded its presence in southern Nepal. The group, operating as a charity, is reportedly linked to Sadat, a private Turkish security company with alleged connections to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sadat has faced international scrutiny for alleged involvement in training militant fighters in conflict zones, including Syria, Azerbaijan, and Qatar.
Intelligence inputs suggest that the IHH has partnered with local religious and social groups in Nepal, particularly the Islamic Sangh Nepal, to build influence in the border provinces of Lumbini, Koshi (Province 1), and Madhesh (Province 2). The foundation’s growing footprint in districts such as Rupandehi, Banke, Parsa, and Rautahat has raised concerns, with reports indicating a surge in the number of mosques, madrasas, and guesthouses constructed in recent years.
Alleged Links to Extremist Groups
The IHH has long been under the scanner for its alleged ties with international extremist networks such as Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood. Indian agencies are particularly concerned by reports that the group played a role in securing the release of two European nationals abducted in Pakistan while en route to India. This move allegedly enhanced its operational ties in the region.
These developments, intelligence officials believe, may be part of a larger coordinated effort involving Pakistani organizations such as Dawat-e-Islami. Active in districts such as Kapilvastu, Sunsari, and Bara, Dawat-e-Islami is reported to have established a network of guesthouses and religious centres, which authorities suspect may be used to shelter or facilitate the movement of individuals from countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Radicalisation Concerns Along the Border
Indian authorities are also tracking the social impact of these growing networks. Local reports indicate that over 4,000 religious institutions—primarily mosques and madrasas—are currently operational in Nepal’s southern belt. While not all are linked to extremist ideologies, recent instances of unrest and increased religious mobilisation in these areas have prompted closer surveillance.
Nepal’s open border with India—stretching over 1,750 kilometres—has traditionally enabled cultural and economic ties. However, its lack of fencing and porous nature also make it vulnerable to misuse by transnational elements. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) continues to patrol this region, but security officials admit that complete monitoring is challenging.
Historic Precedents and Recent Warnings
It is not the first time extremist groups have exploited Nepal as a route into India. In 2022, an attacker affiliated with ISIS targeted the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur, an incident that revealed international financing links. Similarly, notorious terrorists like Yasin Bhatkal of the Indian Mujahideen and Abdul Karim Tunda of Lashkar-e-Taiba were both apprehended while attempting to enter India via Nepal.
Recently, Sunil Bahadur Thapa, advisor to the President of Nepal, publicly raised concerns about the infiltration risks posed by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, warning that Nepal could be used as a transit route for attacks against India.
Way Forward
Security experts emphasise the importance of increased bilateral coordination between India and Nepal, including the sharing of real-time intelligence and enhanced monitoring of NGOs operating in sensitive border districts. As transnational networks evolve, a proactive and cooperative approach will be crucial to safeguarding the Indo-Nepal border from extremist exploitation.
Team BharatShakti
