Bangladesh bans Islamist group linked to ‘secular bloggers’ killings

The raid came two days after Roy known for his critique of religious extremism was hacked to death in the Dhaka University area by machete-wielding assailants who attacked the Bangladeshi-origin writer.

Bangladesh has reportedly outlawed an Islamic militant group accused of attacking, and killing three secular bloggers in the nation, interior ministry said.

The move came after police sought a ban on the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), saying that preliminary probe had implicated the group in the three murders, reported the BBC.

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Bloggers Avijit Roy, Ananta Bijoy Das and Washiqur Rahman were hacked to death earlier this year for writing blogs critical of certain aspects of Islam.

The killings touched off massive protests from activists, who accused the authorities of failing to protect critics of religious bigotry.