President Mukherjee condemns Bangladesh terror attack

Condemning the terrorist attack on an Eid congregation in Bangladesh, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday wrote a letter to his Bangladeshi counterpart and expressed India's support to the neighbouring country in defeating forces of terror.

In his letter to Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, President Mukherjee conveyed condolences to him and the neighbouring country.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to you and the people of Bangladesh at the second terrorist attack in quick succession in Bangladesh. Such a senseless attack on innocent people during the auspicious Eid festival is particularly shocking. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.

India stands with Bangladesh in its fight against terrorism, radicalism and fundamentalism," Mukherjee said in the letter to Hamid.

Earlier in the day, Mukherjee expressed India's support to Bangladesh in defeating forces of terror, and said he was "shocked and distressed to hear about the terrorist attack in Kishoreganj".

"I am shocked and distressed to hear about the terrorist attack in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, today (Thursday) on Eid. I condemn the perpetrators of this attack in the strongest of terms," the President said in a statement here.

This is the second terrorist attack in a week in Bangladesh, he said.

"The people and government are engaged in a brave struggle against the evil forces of extremism and violence. The government of India will strongly stand by our brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in this fight. We will extend every support possible to enable the Bangladesh government defeat these forces whose goal is to spread hatred, chaos and instability," he added.

Four persons were killed on Thursday in an attack aimed at a police contingent guarding the Sholakia Ground in Kishoreganj district, 150 km north of Dhaka, just before prayers began at Bangladesh's largest Eid congregation.

Abu Sayem, Additional Superintendent of Police in Kishoreganj, said the four dead included two police constables and a woman. An attacker was also killed.

On July 1, suspected Islamic State terrorists killed 20 people, including a young Indian woman, during a siege at a Dhaka cafe.

--IANS

sk/bim/dg