Get united to resist terrorists: PM

Announcing a two-day state mourning for those killed in Gulshan attack, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged all, including anti-terrorism committees, community police and general people, to get united to resist a handful of derailed terrorists.

The prime minister made the clarion call in a televised address to the nation in the wake of a grisly terror attack on a restaurant in the city’s diplomatic zone last night.

"Inshaallah, through eliminating terrorists from their roots, we’ll establish Bangladesh as a peaceful state…no conspiracy can hinder our advancement, let’s work together, putting behind our all differences, to establish a secure Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation," she said.

The speech was broadcast by Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar simultaneously, while other private televisions and radios also televised it from the state-run media outlet.

The prime minister said when Bangladesh is trying to establish in the world as a self-dignified and self-reliant country, a nexus of local and international conspirators is hatching a conspiracy to hinder this progress.

She mentioned that the vested quarter wanted to establish Bangladesh a dysfunctional state keeping hostage innocent people. "They’ve taken a path of terrorism after having failed to win the hearts of people through the democratic process," she said.

She mentioned that this quarter is pushing the soft-hearted youths and children to the path of destruction confusing them in the name of religion.

"The peace-loving people of Bangladesh won’t allow the perpetuators to materialise their strategy. We‘ll resist their conspiracy at any cost taking the people of the country with us," she said.

She requested people to keep trust in her government. "We’re committed to protecting at any cost the sovereignty of Bangladesh that was earned at the cost of martyrdom of 30 lakh and sacrifice of two lakh mothers and sisters."

Hasina posed a question to those who are misguiding youths and children and patronising this, what they actually want to achieve by this. "Islam is the religion of peace. Stop killing people in the name of Islam; don’t blemish it with such incidents."

She also urged guardians to give proper education to their children and keep watch on them so that they cannot get derailed.

The prime minister said when religious-minded people of the country were preparing for Esha and Tarahbi prayers, they launched the attack and undermines the religion and humanity. "Such barbaric and cowardly attack is unprecedented in the country of communal harmony, Bangladesh," she said.

After receiving the information, Hasina said, her government took quick steps to bring the situation under control. Law enforcement agency personnel, including the police, Rab and BGB quickly reached the spot and started the rescue operation. Later, Army, Air Force, and Navy commandos taking part in the operation freed the hostages.

Six attackers were killed on the spot while 13 hostages, including three foreigners, were freed through the operation. She thanked the police, Rab, BGB, Army, Air Force, Navy, Fire Service personnel and others who have joined this operation.

She also expressed her gratitude to the world leaders who have expressed their solidarity with her.

She prayed for the eternal peace of the two police officers and others who were killed in the terrorist attack and expressed her sympathy to the bereaved family members. She also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured people.