There is no organisational structure of terrorist outfit Islamic
State (IS) in Bangladesh, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan reiterated
today, hours after SITE reiterated its reports on IS claim of two
foreigners’ murder and Shia headquarters bomb attack.
“Those who claim to be Islamic State here are offshoots of militant
outfits Huji, al-Qaeda and JMB [Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh]. They
all have their roots within Jamaat-Shibir,” he told reporters at his
residence in Dhanmondi.
US-based for-profit SITE Intelligence Group attributed the murder of
two foreign nationals and the bombings on Shia Muslim community in Old
Dhaka to the IS.
But Bangladesh government has repeatedly denied any organisational form of the terrorist group inside the country.
SITE defended its claim in a press release yesterday, saying its IS
reports were authentic and Bangladesh authorities would “do better to
face the reality”.
Rebutting the claim, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said: “Claim of
these militant activities were not found in the main website of the IS.
They were done from somewhere else.”
There is a local and international conspiracy to stir up instability in the country, he said.
“We are arresting them (militants) all. They will be brought to face justice.”
Foreign countries issued and maintained security alert for their
citizens in Bangladesh since the murders of Italian national Cesare
Tavella on September 28 and Japanese Kunio Hoshi five days later. On
October 24, three improvised bombs were blasted at Shia headquarters
Hossaini Dalan in old Dhaka prior to Tazia procession, killing one
teenager and injuring 87 others.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan briefing reporters at
his Dhanmondi residence on October 28, 2015, where he again denied
existence of Islamic State in Bangladesh - hours after SITE Intelligence
Group defended its report on IS activity here. Photo: TV grab 