The sudden death of a senior US Special Forces officer in Dhaka has stirred unease within Indian intelligence circles, raising fresh questions about American activity and strategic interests in South Asia.
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On August 31, Terrence Arvelle Jackson, Command Inspector General of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), was found dead in Room 808 of the Westin Hotel, Dhaka. Jackson, aged around 50 and hailing from Raeford, North Carolina, was a highly decorated officer with more than two decades of service in the US Army.
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According to Dhaka police, initial investigations suggest natural causes, with no evidence of foul play. However, the decision to hand over his body to the US Embassy without conducting an autopsy has sparked speculation and concern about the handling of the case.
Who Was Terrence Jackson?
Jackson had served in the United States Army for over 20 years, completing multiple combat and special operations deployments across the Asia Theater. Before joining active service in 2006, he spent three years with the Army National Guard and was reportedly planning to retire within two years.
The 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) — based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina — plays a key role in global special operations, supporting USSOCOM and other US government agencies in missions spanning intelligence, counterterrorism, and regional stability.
Sources in Bangladesh’s intelligence community say Jackson had been in the country on a “business trip” for several months. He checked into the Westin Hotel just two days before his death, but the nature of his work, meetings, and movements remains unknown.
Indian Agencies Watching Closely
For Indian intelligence, the timing and circumstances of Jackson’s presence in Dhaka are concerning. The episode is being treated with caution, as analysts weigh the possibility of a deeper strategic role linked to Washington’s growing interest in South Asia.
Spotlight on Former Ambassador Peter Haas
Adding to New Delhi’s unease is the frequent travel of former US Ambassador Peter Haas to Bangladesh. Now serving as Strategic Adviser to Excelerate Energy, a Texas-based LNG company, Haas has made at least six visits to Bangladesh in the past year.
Officially, these visits are tied to business projects in the energy sector. Yet, regional intelligence officials note that the timing and pattern of his engagements suggest involvement in matters extending beyond corporate diplomacy.
On August 5, Haas reportedly met in Cox’s Bazar with leaders of the National Coordination Platform (NCP) — a coalition linked to the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, which recently influenced major political shifts in Bangladesh.
Geopolitical Ripples Across South Asia
The simultaneous presence of a senior US Special Forces officer and a former American diplomat has raised red flags in New Delhi. Indian agencies are now tracking US activity in Dhaka against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s political transition and broader geopolitical realignments in the Indo-Pacific.
As Washington deepens its regional engagement — and Beijing and New Delhi watch closely — the mystery surrounding Jackson’s death adds yet another layer of intrigue to South Asia’s evolving strategic chessboard.
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