US 'troubled' by recent attacks

Expressing deep concern over the recent attacks in Bangladesh, the United States has said it is “very troubled” by such violence.

“Well, obviously, we're deeply concerned by this violence. We're very troubled by this,” a spokesperson for the US Department of State said on Thursday.

John Kirby, assistant secretary for public affairs of the department, was speaking at a daily press briefing in Washington DC.

He made the comment after a journalist asked to know what sort of help Bangladesh is “seeking”, or what is going on between the US and Bangladesh in stopping the attacks against the minorities, including Hindus, Christians, LGBTs, and others.

John Kirby said the attacks appear to be carried out by a “small group of terrorists” who seek to stifle independent thought and attack violently anyone who disagreed with them and their thoughts.

“We're pretty confident -- no, not pretty confident -- we are confident that these attacks do not represent the views of and are rejected as abhorrent by the overwhelming majority of the people in Bangladesh.”

He said Bangladesh has a proud tradition of being a pluralistic society that values diversity, welcomes the free exchange of ideas, and these are the values that these violent extremists are ultimately attacking.

Since February 2013, five secular online activists, a publisher, a gay rights activist and his friend have been hacked to death allegedly for their secular writings and views by militants in Bangladesh.