Bengal blast: Bangladesh willing to help if India wants

Kolkata: Amid speculations that suspected Bangladeshi militants were involved in the Oct 2 explosion in West Bengal, a Bangladesh minister Wednesday said his government is willing to help India in the investigation.

Bangladesh's State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal expressed surprise over India yet to officially communicate anything on the blast that took place in a house in Burdwan district's Khagragarh area.

The blast killed two suspected militants and injured another.

"We share very cordial relations, so it's surprising that India is yet to officially inform us about the explosion. We are committed about tackling terrorism and we will certainly take steps if India officially communicates," Kamal told IANS over phone from Bangladesh.

"Media reports have claimed that the militants killed in the explosion were from Bangladesh, if it so, then it is matter of concern. We hope India will officially communicate us soon so that we may jointly tackle it," said Kamal.

Four people, including two women, have been arrested in connection with the explosion which is being probed by the CID and a composite task force drawn from various state investigating agencies of West Bengal.

While the BJP and the CPI-M have been demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency, alleging the state administration was trying to cover up the probe, the state's ruling Trinamool Congress has opposed the move contending the central agency's intervention will tantamount to attack on federalism.