Dhaka: Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Tuesday assured foreign diplomats in Dhaka of the government’s resolve to root out terrorism and militancy from Bangladesh.

‘Law enforcement agencies are on high alert and security measures have been beefed up,’ he told diplomats and representatives of UN agencies as the biggest-ever recent terrorist attack made the international community living in Bangladesh worried.

The recent cowardly terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan left 20 innocent people, mostly foreigners, dead.

Briefing the diplomats at the state guesthouse Padma, Minister Mahmood Ali said terrorism is a global challenge, and Bangladesh will continue to work closely with other countries, regional organisations and the United Nations to fight this menace.

He hoped that the international community would support Bangladesh in fighting common challenges of terrorism and violent extremism.

In their interventions, the envoys expressed condolences to those killed by the terrorists in the heinous attack.

While acknowledging that most nations today face terrorism, the envoys expressed their views on the measures that could be taken to further strengthen the counterterrorism efforts.

Around 50 diplomats, mostly ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, including the USA, the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, India, Pakistan, France, European Union, Brazil and Egypt, attended the briefing.

While condemning the barbaric acts of terror, Mahmood Ali expressed deepest sympathy to the families of the tragic incident. He shared his sentiments and thoughts with the envoys.

The Foreign Minister thanked the countries the leaders of which called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and him or issued statements expressing sympathy and solidarity with the government and the people of Bangladesh at this trying time of history.

Minister Ali also referred to the statements by the UN Secretary General, the UN Security Council, the OIC Secretary General, and the EU High Representative.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and other senior officials of the ministry were present during the briefing that lasted for an hour from 11:10am.