US offers expertise to Bangladesh in combating terrorism

Dhaka: The United States on Sunday offered its expertise to Bangladesh in bolstering its counterterrorism capabilities following a string of terror attacks, including the country's worst terror attack on a cafe here that killed 22 people, mostly foreigners.
The US offer to was conveyed by Nisha Desai Biswal, theAssistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, during her meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque here soon after her arrival.
Biswal, Washington's point person for South Asia, offered US expertise in building Bangladesh's counterterrorism capabilities in the wake of the July 1 terror attack in Dhaka, BD News reported.
"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 country, including one on a cafe here 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 attacks in recent days. As many as 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 IS 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. Mannan was a leading campaigner for LGBT rights.