The fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner on Wednesday debunked an Indian media report claiming that Pakistani armed forces were patrolling Bangladesh.
In a report published on its website on Tuesday, Rumor Scanner clarified that the individuals seen in a video used in the news report by Aaj Tak Bangla, a Kolkata-based media outlet, are members of the Crisis Response Team (CRT), a specialized unit of the Bangladesh Police and not the Pakistani armed forces.
The fact-checking body stated that a video had recently circulated on social media, alleging that Pakistani special forces had entered the court premises in Rajshahi.
The same video was propagated by Indian media, claiming it depicted Pakistani forces patrolling the streets of Dhaka.
A video report by Aaj Tak Bangla asserted that members of the SWAT team from Pakistan’s Punjab Regiment had arrived in Dhaka, using the aforementioned video as evidence.
In the report, Bangladeshi lawyer Nijhum Majumdar commented (at 6 minutes and 20 seconds): "It seems unprecedented to me that Pakistani armies have come to the streets of Dhaka, and that Punjab Regiment boys or Pakistani soldiers are patrolling Bangladesh disguised as SWAT."
Rumor Scanner’s investigation found no basis for this claim.
The video in question does not show Pakistani armed forces in Bangladesh.
Instead, it features members of the Crisis Response Team (CRT), a specialized unit of the Bangladesh Police, providing security when former Rajshahi-3 MP and Awami League leader Asaduzzaman Asad was taken to the Rajshahi Metropolitan Magistrate Court-1 on December 12.
Upon reviewing the video, Rumor Scanner identified the word "CRT" clearly written on the back of one of the uniforms.
Additionally, the Bangladesh flag was visible on the clothing of another individual in the video.
These details unequivocally confirmed the identity of the security personnel as members of the CRT.
Further investigation led to a video report on the YouTube channel of Jagonews24 titled "Tensions Around Prison Van on December 13: Former MP Asad Attacked with Eggs."
The report described the events of December 12, when the prison van carrying former MP Asaduzzaman Asad to court was attacked by agitated BNP-Jamaat activists.
Security was provided by CRT members, whose uniforms matched those seen in the video circulated by Indian media.
Additional context from an August 29, 2018 report by Jagonews24 revealed that the Crisis Response Team is a specialized unit of the Bangladesh Police tasked with handling violent incidents, combating militancy, and preventing drug smuggling.
The team operates in key regions, including Sylhet, Chittagong and Rajshahi.
In conclusion, Rumor Scanner affirmed that the information circulating online and propagated by Aaj Tak Bangla, claiming Pakistani forces were patrolling Bangladesh, is completely false and baseless.
