UK says terror threat is high in Bangladesh, foreigners vulnerable

The UK says there remains a “high threat” from terrorism in Bangladesh.

It has identified foreign nationals and the LGBTI community as the vulnerable groups.

“You should take appropriate security precautions,” it said in an updated travel advice on Tuesday.

The update came a day before the arrival of the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal in Dhaka on Wednesday.

She would discuss security situation in the wake of the murders of a USAID staff and LGBT rights activist, Xulhaz Mannan, and his theatre activist friend Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy.

Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub-continent (AQIS) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the April 25 murders.

Since September last year, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks, including the murders of two foreign nationals and the attempted murder of an Italian priest.

It has also claimed credit for sporadic attacks against minority religious communities and law enforcers that have killed several people and injured many more.

“Groups affiliated to AQIS are also active and have claimed responsibility for the murder of a number of secular bloggers and the killing of prominent members of the LGBTI community,” the UK said in its travel advice.