Fact Check: False Claim of Indian R&AW Officers Stationed at Khulna Cantonment, Bangladesh

A claim has gone viral on Telegram regarding Indian Involvement in The Bangladesh protest. The user on Telegram has claimed that 21 members of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) are currently stationed at Khulna Cantonment in Bangladesh. The claim details that these members include 5 officers and 16 soldiers, equipped with 12 AK-47 rifles, 59mm pistols, rubber bullets, tear gas, and fresh ammunition. It also states that these officers are staying at the Jahanabad Officer’s Mess, while the soldiers are lodged in the guest rooms of Sainik Mess. Furthermore, the claim suggests that these Indian officers were officially stationed under the security of the Indian High Commission in Khulna and would assist local police in quelling protests by attacking Bangladeshi students if necessary. (Translation from Bangla)

You can find the Bangla version below.

Fact Check:

The DFRAC team has thoroughly investigated this claim. During the process, no credible evidence supports the allegations.

No media outlets or official sources have reported the presence of Indian R&AW officers at Khulna Cantonment during the Bangladesh protests. There is a complete absence of any credible news or official confirmation regarding this deployment.

Furthermore, the official website of the Assistant High Commission of India in Khulna was reviewed by our team. However, no announcements or notices were found that corroborate the claim of Indian officers being stationed with weapons.

Conclusion:

The claim about the presence of Indian R&AW officers at Khulna Cantonment, armed and prepared to attack Bangladeshi students, is baseless and false. There is no credible evidence or official confirmation to support this allegation. The viral claim is a clear instance of misinformation aimed at spreading false narratives.

DFRAC Analysis: Fake