The Hindu : International : U.S. names Bangladesh outfit a terrorist group

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 04, 2005

International

International

U.S. names Bangladesh outfit a terrorist group

Haroon Habib

Harakat's hand suspected in attempt on Hasina's life

DHAKA: The United States has named the Harakat ul-Jihad-I-Islami organisation of Bangladesh as a "terrorist group" having links with the Al-Qaeda.

The group has been listed in the "selected terrorist groups" in the U.S. State Department's "Country Reports on Terrorism for 2004," released recently. "Bangladesh supports the global war on terror but its ability to combat terrorism is undermined by various factors and its long practice of moderate Islam is increasingly under threat from extremists," says the report released on April 27. It mentioned Harakat's suspected involvement in an attempt on the life of the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and in explosions at cultural gatherings in many parts of the country.

Aim of Islamic rule

The avowed mission of Harakat is to establish Islamic rule in Bangladesh. It has connections to Pakistani militant groups such as Harakat ul-Jihad-I-Islami and Harakat ul-Mujahidin, which advocate similar objectives in Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, said the report adding, "these groups all maintain contacts with the Al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan." The report said Bangladesh's long tradition of inclusive, moderate Islam is increasingly under threat from extremists.

The report said Bangladesh, with U.S. technical assistance, is strengthening police institutions. The U.S. is assisting Bangladesh in developing laws to enhance banking supervision and enforcement.

Appreciating the Dhaka's efforts, the report said it is committed to enforcing U.N. Security Council resolutions and actions related to terrorism.

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