Dhaka, A major officer from the U.S. Special Forces Command was found dead in a hotel in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on Saturday, causing a stir. The officer’s name was Terence Arvell Jackson.
Indian intelligence agencies have also expressed concern over the matter. They are conducting an in-depth investigation. However, India has not made any official comment on the case.
Media reports, citing Bangladeshi intelligence agencies, indicate that Jackson had been in Dhaka for several months and was staying at the Westin Hotel since August 29. But the real purpose of his trip remains unclear.
His body was handed over to the U.S. embassy without an autopsy or investigation, raising many questions. India wants to know who Jackson met in Bangladesh and which places he visited.
Indian Officials Monitoring the Case
Indian intelligence agencies consider Jackson’s death a serious issue for regional security. Indian officials are monitoring who Jackson met in Dhaka and what his activities were.
Recent political changes in Bangladesh and the increasing U.S. activity in the region have heightened India’s concerns. Indian agencies suspect that Jackson’s presence may be related to ongoing activities along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
Jackson was around 50 years old and a resident of North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army for over 20 years and participated in several wars. An Indian intelligence officer told the media that Jackson joined the army in 2006 and was due to retire soon.
Former U.S. Ambassador Visited Bangladesh 6 Times in 1 Year Additionally, the repeated visits to Bangladesh by former U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas have also raised suspicions. Haas is now an advisor for a U.S. company and has visited Bangladesh six times in the past year.
According to media reports, Peter Haas met with leaders of a group in Cox’s Bazar on August 5 that was linked to recent political movements in Bangladesh. It is worth noting that Cox’s Bazar hosts the largest Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh.