US Assistant Secretary of State Biswal visits Dhaka terror attack site

The US point person for South Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, has visited the Gushan cafe that terrorists stormed on July 1 and killed 20 people including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian and an American citizen of Bangladesh origin.

The radical Islamic State (IS) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack at Holey Artisan Bakery, in Gulshan diplomatic zone, which is frequented by foreigners.

The US assistant secretary of State stayed there for around 20 minutes amid police barricade surrounding the area on Monday.

Biswal is visiting Dhaka following the attack and has offered Washington’s support to build Bangladesh’s capabilities in countering terrorism.

She will leave on Monday, ending her two-day visit, for Sri Lanka after meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

Earlier, she met Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, and Dhaka-based diplomats including the Indian High Commissioner, among others, to discuss security issues.

World leaders had earlier pledged to support Bangladesh in combating terrorism following the unprecedented attack.

Secretary of State John Kerry had phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and “encouraged the government of Bangladesh to conduct its investigation in accordance with the highest international standards and offered immediate assistance from US law enforcement, including the FBI”.

Italy and Japan have decided to conduct coordinated diplomatic and intelligence operations in Bangladesh.