'What is the problem in striking terrorists?' Hasina asks as she defends crackdown

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has responded to criticisms of security forces killing terror suspects during anti-militancy drives, saying public security will be ensured "at any rate".

"What is the problem in hitting terrorists to save many lives?" she asks.

The BNP has questioned the ‘authenticity' of the deadly crackdown on militants but Hasina has said they are simply "wailing for terrorists".

She says the BNP leaders are "actually harbouring the militants by calling it into question, which is tantamount to the crimes the militants are committing".

The prime minister was speaking at a meeting of ruling Awami League's Central Working Committee at the Ganabhaban on Wednesday ahead of the party's 20th National Council.

"As we are duty-bound to provide people security, it’s our duty to maintain and safeguard peace and order in the country…we will ensure it at any cost. Our words are clear - 'zero tolerance to terrorism'," Hasina said.  

The raid to end the deadly July 1 Gulshan cafe siege saw five militants and another suspected attacker killed.

The law enforcers increased its drive against militants following the cafe attack that killed 22 persons, including 17 foreigners.

As part of the crackdown, nine suspects were killed later in Kalyanpur, one in Mirpur, three in Narayanganj, another in Azimpur. In last three drives conducted in Gazipur and Tangail on the same day, 11 'militants' were killed.

Hasina said the anti-terrorism crackdown would continue. "We will not show leniency to terrorism in any way. We will continue taking action against them (terrorists)," she said.

"But we have noticed one thing. Whenever our law-enforcing agencies act against militants, whenever someone dies, the BNP chief (Khaleda Zia) and others in her party start a hue and cry for some strange reason.

"I just don't understand this. Why bemoaning (for terrorists)?" the prime minister wondered.

She also said the "tendency of backing terrorists and militants is common among BNP leaders".

"BNP always start to defend militants whenever law-enforcing agencies act. They question the action against militants," she said.

"They also protest against war crimes trial...but the trial will continue."

"They should keep in mind that harbouring the criminals is similar to committing crime," she added.