Dhaka to stay tough on terrorism

Bangladesh will uphold its zero-tolerance policy against any terrorism suspects at home and abroad under its stringent counter-terrorism laws, including the suspected mastermind of the Erawan Shrine bomb attacks who transited through Bangladesh last month, Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem told the Royal Thai Police yesterday.

During a meeting with Spokesperson and Assistant Police Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Pol Lt Gen Dr Prawut Thavornsiri, in Bangkok, the envoy assured the Thai law enforcement agencies of all-out cooperation from Bangladesh on the possible tracing down of activities of the Bangkok bomb blast suspect who as per Bangladesh police sources left Bangladesh on August 30 following a two week transit stay last month, said a press release.

Against the backdrop, Bangladesh has put its foreign missions on a high alert regarding issuance of tourist visas, especially to the third country nationals.

The government has also ordered strict profiling of visa seekers and an even stricter visa policy amid the growing incidents of terrorism, officials told The Daily Star.

According to Bangladesh government records, the alleged mastermind was issued a single entry tourist visa in early August who entered Bangladesh on August 16, the day before the blast.