John Kerry Offers FBI Assistance to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina

Kerry called Hasina to offer support in the wake of the “outrageous attack” in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone.

US Secretary of State John Kerry called Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and offered her assistance from American law enforcement. Image used for representational purposes. (Photo: iStockPhoto)

US Secretary of State John Kerry called Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and offered her the assistance of American law enforcement, including the FBI, in the wake of the terror attack in Dhaka.

State Department spokesperson, John Kirby, spoke about Kerry’s offer.

The Secretary encouraged the government of Bangladesh to conduct its investigation in accordance with the highest international standards and offered immediate assistance from US law enforcement, including the FBI.

John Kirby, State Department Spokesperson

Kerry called Hasina to extend support in the wake of the “outrageous attack” on the Holey Artisan restaurant in Dhaka’s high-security diplomatic zone.

During the call, Kerry condoled the loss of innocent lives at the hands of terrorists “who threaten the United States, Bangladesh, and the international community”.

He reaffirmed US support for Bangladesh’s efforts to bring those responsible for planning and conducting the attacks to justice as well as to prevent future attacks.

Kirby

11-hour siege at a posh Dhaka cafe left 20 people dead. (Photo: AP)

Twenty hostages, including Indian nationalTarishi Jain, were hacked to death by terrorists inside the café, popular with expatriates in the diplomatic zone before commandos launched an assault, killing six attackers and capturing one alive.

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Most of those killed were found with their throats slit.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency, nearly four hours after the hostage crisis unfolded. Bangladesh, however, blamed “homegrown” Islamist terrorists and Pakistan’s spy agency ISI for the attack, ruling out any involvement from ISIS.

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