Bangladesh stands beside India, Hasina tells Modi after deadly Kashmir attack

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has written to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi expressing her support to New Delhi in this “difficult” hour following the attack in a Kashmir military base in which 17 Indian soldiers have been killed.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 19 Sept 2016, 06:50 PM
Updated : 19 Sept 2016, 06:55 PM

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the dastardly terrorist attack on the army base at Uri, Kashmir killing 17 soldiers and injuring many on 18 September 2016,” Hasina wrote to Modi, according to the message, a copy of which bdnews24.com has obtained.

Earlier, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali told CNN-News18: “Our PM has strongly worded Bangladesh’s position. We have zero tolerance towards terrorism. Bangladesh stands with India at this difficult hour.”

He said the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan when Indian soldiers shed blood with Bangladesh will remain as a hallmark in the relations between New Delhi and Dhaka.

“As a freedom fighter of 1971, we fought alongside the Indians during our War of Liberation. I want the spirit of 1971 to remain in our relations,” he told the Indian media.

Prime Minister Hasina in her letter to Modi said Bangladesh strongly condemns terrorism and violent extremism.

“In line with its ‘zero tolerance’ policy against terrorism and violent extremism, Bangladesh firmly stands beside India at this difficult hour.”

“As a close friend and neighbour, we would continue to work together in our common endeavour to eradicate the menace of cross -border terrorism from this region and beyond,” she said.

Hasina also extended her “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies” to the families of the victims.

Media reports say India is mulling over options against Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack.

Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, is at the heart of the rivalry between the neighbours. Two of their three wars since independence from Britain have been fought over the region.

The attack, in which four commando-style gunmen burst into the brigade headquarters in Uri at 5:30am (midnight GMT) on Sunday, was among the deadliest in Kashmir.

The Bangladesh high commissioner in New Delhi also told media that Dhaka would continue to work together to eradicate terrorism from this region and said his government was waiting for Indian agencies to complete their investigation.

“After they have done it, we will take it up at the highest level for consultation,” Muazzem Ali said.