Kerry calls Hasina

US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Russian Federation, Pakistan, the European Union, and the British High Commission in Bangladesh have joined an international chorus condemning Friday's terrorist attack and vowed to continue with the fight against global extremism.

Obama yesterday strongly condemned the dastardly terrorist attack on a Gulshan cafe in Dhaka, saying the United States is ready to provide any assistance to Bangladesh in rooting out terrorism and militancy, reports BSS.

"US Secretary of State John Kerry conveyed this to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when he talked to her over the phone this [yesterday] evening," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS.

On behalf of the US president, Kerry said Obama strongly denounced the Friday night's terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant in Gulshan and expressed sympathy to the family members of those killed and injured in the attack.

In reply, Hasina thanked both the US president and the secretary of state and said the United States could help Bangladesh by providing investigative information.

She told Kerry that her government has formed a "counter-terrorism unit" for the police to fight terrorism and militancy.

The premier also extended her thanks to Obama for always standing by Bangladesh.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the scale and nature of the terrorist attack is unprecedented in Bangladesh and called for close cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism, and in addressing the root causes. 

He said the attack represents a dramatic confirmation of the threat that extremism and international terrorism now pose to all countries which reject intolerance and stand for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

In a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on July 2 after the attack, Cameron reiterated his personal commitment to standing by Hasina in her fight against terrorism.

Mentioning his discussion when they met in Japan in May, he said, "As a close friend of Bangladesh, the UK is committed to working with you, and stand ready to discuss any assistance that the UK may be able to provide.”

Expressing deep shock, the British premier said his thoughts are with the victims and their families, including the families of the brave policemen who died trying to defend those caught up in the attack, according to the letter, a copy of which The Daily Star has obtained.

“I also share the pain of the people of Bangladesh at this difficult time. Nothing can justify such an attack on innocent people going about their daily lives,” he said.

Cameron said in this holy month of Ramadan, as families are preparing to come together to celebrate Eid, all should strengthen resolve to proclaim Islam as a religion of peace and to reject those who seek to justify violence in its name.

The Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Federation, in a statement said: “We are indignant at this yet another inhumane terrorist attack, which has no justification. We express our sincere condolences to the relatives of those killed and wish the injured quickest recovery.

“What happened in Dhaka once again proves that it is necessary to immediately combine efforts of all the global community to fight international terrorism,” it added.

Pakistan also condemned the terrorist attack in Dhaka that has led to the loss of lives and injuries to many innocent people, says a press release of the country's foreign affairs ministry.

The government and the people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the brotherly people and the government of Bangladesh over the loss of innocent lives and wish the injured early recovery.

Pakistan stands in solidarity with the brotherly people of Bangladesh and is confident that the government of Bangladesh will effectively counter this cowardly attack.

Donald Tusk, president of European Council, in a statement condemned the brutal attack in Dhaka “in the strongest terms” and extended his condolences to the families and relatives of all the victims.

“The fight against terrorism will continue unabated. The European Union stands united against all forms of extremism. These attacks must not be allowed to undermine our common values,” the statement reads.

In a joint statement, British High Commissioner Alison Blake, acting High Commissioner Mark Clayton and the staff of the British High Commission in Dhaka said the attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka was a senseless act of terror against innocent people living and working in Bangladesh.

Earlier, UN Security Council, top UN officials, Japan and Italian prime minister issued similar statements condemning the attacks that claimed 22 people, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian and five Bangladeshis.