US expresses concern over ISIS presence in Bangladesh

Washington: The US has expressed concern over the presence of dreaded Islamic State terror group in Bangladesh after the militant group claimed responsibility for several terror attacks in the country, including the murder of an Italian aid worker, last month.

Bangladeshi police had yesterday arrested four persons for their alleged involvement in the murder of an Italian aid worker here.

"We certainly note with concern ISIS's claim of responsibility for the attack. We take those claims seriously," the State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily news briefing yesterday.

Kirby was responding to questions about ISIS claim of a few terrorist activities in Bangladesh including killing of an Italian aid worker.

"We're working closely with the Government of Bangladesh and key partners to assess who is responsible for these attacks and to help bring them to justice," he said.

According to the State Department spokesman, it is difficult to say the degree to which the attacks on the foreigners was claimed by the Islamic State. Unknown miscreants carried out an unprecedented attack with improvised grenades on a Shiite procession in the old part of Dhaka on Saturday. This attack was also claimed by the Islamic State.

"I'm not at a position where I can make that determination. But there's an investigation going on right now that we want to ? if there's a need to be helpful, we want to be helpful," he said.

"It's by law enforcement authorities there in Bangladesh to confirm responsibility. It's up to them to do this. But I think it's prudent for us to take ISIL claims seriously, and we do," Kirby said.

The earlier attacks on the foreigners was claimed by the Islamic State. Unknown miscreants carried out an unprecedented attack with improvised grenades on a Shiite procession in the old part of Dhaka on Saturday. This attack was also claimed by the Islamic State.