US offers expertise to Bangladesh in combating terrorism

Biswal, Washington’s point person for South Asia, offered US expertise in building Bangladesh’s counter terrorism capabilities in the wake of the July 1 terror attack in Dhaka, BD News reported.
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“Our commitment to Bangladesh remains as robust as ever,” Biswal said.

Her two-day visit comes a week after two recent terror attacks in the Muslim-majority country, including one on a cafe in Dhaka and another at the country’s biggest Eid gathering at Sholakia in northern Kishoreganj district.

Biswal would meet Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

Earlier, the State Department said Biswal will meet with government officials to discuss “issues of shared concern” and offer US assistance to the Bangladeshi government’s efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

She will also meet with the embassy community, local business and other diplomatic representatives.

Bangladesh has witnessed a spate of Islamist attacks in recent days.

22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed in the brutal late-night attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan area of the capital on July 1. During a joint commando operation, six of the attackers were killed.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Bangladesh government says the attacks were carried out by homegrown terror outfits.

Seventeen foreigners, including an Indian and American of Bangladesh origin were among the victims.

Biswal, earlier, visited Dhaka in May following the killing of a US embassy staff, Xulhaz Mannan, by Islamists. Mannan was a leading campaigner for LGBT rights