No IS existence in Bangladesh

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday reiterated that there is no base or organisational existence of global militant outfit Islamic State (IS) in Bangladesh.

"I want to clearly state that there is no base or organisational existence of IS in Bangladesh. Some individuals may have belief in its path," the minister told journalists at his residence.

He was replying to queries about an interview of Shaykh Abu Ibrahim al-Hanif, the so-called chief of the “Khilafah's soldiers in Bengal”, published on 14th issue of the terror outfit's propaganda magazine Dabiq.

In the interview published on April 13, Abu Ibrahim said IS wants to strengthen its capacity in Bangladesh as its “geographical position is convenient to operate Jihad in India and Myanmar in future”.

He also said, “Atheist and anti-Islam people are scared. Our soldiers are sharpening their knife to slit throats of atheists and murtads.”

The minister vowed that the government will not allow any external forces or militant outfits to carry out attacks on neighbouring countries establishing strongholds in this country or using any local militant organisation.

He added, "Islam does not support attacks on minorities … So those who preach this [attacks on minorities], they are enemies of Islam and humanity."

IS has not given any formal announcement of opening its branch in Bangladesh. But according to some reports, it claimed responsibility for some incidents, including killings of two foreigners and Hossaini Dalan blast.  

The government all along has said the global terror body has no organisational presence in the country. 

In the interview, Abu Ibrahim also said the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami are deceiving their followers.

He also said, “There are some grassroots level followers and supporters of 'Jamaat-e-Islami' who have repented from their shirk and joined the ranks of the Khilafah's soldiers in Bengal.”

Jamaat in a statement, yesterday rejected the claim terming it "baseless" and "false" and said that no grassroots activists of the party have joined IS.