Biswal discusses security situation with 3 envoys

Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal has held a meeting with envoys from three foreign missions over the current security situation in Bangladesh, reports the UNB.

 

The hour-long meeting was held at the residence of US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat on Monday morning following the back-to-back attacks on Dhaka café and Sholakia in Kishorganj district.

 

 During the meeting, Biswal discussed the security issues in Bangladesh with the High Commissioners from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

 

Later, the diplomats of the three countries came out from Bernicat’s residence at 9:45 pm, said a diplomatic source.

 

Bernicat and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Manpreet Anand were also present at the meeting.

 

Later, they visited the Holey Artisan Bakery which came under terrorist attack on July 1.

 

Biswal will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 5pm today (Monday) after her meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at 3 pm, officials at Prime Minister’s Office and Secretariat confirmed.

 

The US official is also expected to meet Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi.

 

On Sunday, she met Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque at state guesthouse Padma and discussed Bangladesh's bilateral relations with the United States and the security situation.

 

On Sunday evening, Biswal had a long meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

 

Biswal arrived here on Sunday morning on a two-day visit.

 

She had visited Dhaka on May 5 and 6 last after the brutal murder of USAID staff Xulhaz Mannan in Dhaka on April 25.

 

Twenty-two people, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian national and two policemen were killed inside and outside the café during the attack on July 1.

 

Later on the morning of on July 2, six people along with five attackers were also killed during a commando operation. Thirteen of the hostages were rescued alive in the operation.

 

On Thursday last, at least four people, including two policemen, were killed and 12 others injured in a bomb attack coupled with an exchange of gunfire after terrorists attacked a temporary police check post near Sholakia Eidgah in Sadar upazila of Kishoreganj.