Bangladesh is ‘taking purported al-Qaeda message seriously’

The government is taking the purported message from the al-Qaeda chief announcing the formation of an Indian branch and working in Bangladesh among other countries.

Speaking in his office on Thursday, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, “We’ve learnt that after the message India has issued a red alert. We are also taking the matter seriously.”

Reports in the international media said on Wednesday that a video had been posted online showing the terror group leader Ayman al-Zawahri announcing the formation of an Indian branch of his militant group.

He was saying there he would spread Islamic rule and "raise the flag of jihad" across the subcontinent.

File Photo

Zawahri described the formation of "Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent" as “glad tidings” for Muslims "in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, and Kashmir".

He said the new wing would rescue Muslims there from “injustice and oppression”.

State minister Kamal said the government was trying to verify the video and the cabinet would discuss future steps after it was done.

“We’re looking into where this video came from. In one or two days we will discuss the matter,” he said.

RAB had already begun looking into the authenticity of the video, a senior official said.

“We’re on alert,” RAB Additional DG Ziaul Ahsan said.

Al Qaeda eyes Bangladesh