Bangladesh has hoped that the international community will support the country in fighting terrorism.
In a meeting with the foreign envoys in >Dhaka in the wake of Friday’s terror attack , Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmud Ali thanked the nations whose leaders called Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina or issued statements expressing sympathy and solidarity with the government and the people. He condemned the “barbaric acts of terror”, and expressed deepest sympathy for the families of the victims.
Seven militants killed 20 visitors at an upmarket café in Dhaka in an overnight siege. The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility.
Global challenge Mr. Ali said terrorism was a global challenge and that Dhaka would continue to work “closely” with other countries, regional bodies and the UN to fight the menace. Assuring the diplomats of the government’s resolve to root out terrorism and militancy, the minister also said the law enforcement agencies are on high alert and security measures have been strengthened further.
Around 50 diplomats, most of them Ambassadors and High Commissioners from countries such as the U.S., U.K. Japan, Italy, Turkey, India and Pakistan, attended the briefing.
In another briefing, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on Tuesday that all the six militants killed by the security forces during the rescue operation on Saturday were Bangladeshi citizens, whose identities were certified by their parents. They were all members of various militants organisations, he claimed.
Interrogation Meanwhile, the police have started interrogating more suspects besides two North South University teachers — Hasanat Reza Karim and Tahmid Hasib Khan.
Karim, who has suspected links with a militant organisation, was seen in the café during the deadly siege. He was allowed to leave the venue just before the start of the military operation.
The police declined to disclose the identities of the others who are under interrogation “in the interest of the investigation”.
