Dhaka: Though Bangladesh has fought back 'strongly' against the 'homegrown militants' over the past one year preventing them from repeating any incident like Holey Artisan Bakery attack boosting foreigners confidence, the government does not want to be complacent about the achievements.

A group of young 'misguided' people with sophisticated arms stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery at the capital's Gulshan diplomatic zone on July 1 last year killing 20 hostages, mostly foreign nationals, including Italian and Japanese. Two police officials were also killed during the 12-hour hostage standoff.

"The overall sense of security has improved. I hope this (improved) situation will prevail. I must add that we aren't complacent," State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told UNB ahead of the first anniversary of the deadliest attack that shocked the international community.

The government over the last one year enhanced its ties with foreign countries and exchanged ideas and experiences to better deal with the global problem -- terrorism and violent extremism.

"We've kept telling after the Holey Artisan attack that it's a new normal. Everyone needs to adapt to it. There has been a significant progress over the last one year and there has been no such attack in Bangladesh which is a success in terms of dealing with homegrown militants," said the State Minister.

On the other hand, Shahriar Alam said, even the Rab intelligence chief had to sacrifice his life for ensuring people's safety.

Apart from that other officers and officials had to sacrifice their lives in the way of government's fight against militancy, he added.

"Diplomats are no longer worried about security issue like the past as we've introduced various procedures on security aspects. All required steps are taken as per their desire for ensuring their safety. We've given them permission to stay in constant touch with police beyond Diplomatic Security Zone," Shahriar Alam said.

A foreign national living in Bangladesh said they arrived in Dhaka about two moths after the attack on July 1 last year.

"It was very strange not to see any foreigner at all on the street and not able to walk around town ourselves. It's been almost a year since then and I'm personally so happy to see more and more foreigners in public areas and on rickshaws and CNGs," he told UNB wishing to remain unnamed.

"I'm happy to see the improvement at the level of professionalism of Bangladesh security forces," said another foreign national.

Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Fotsch suggested the government to address the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism like isolation and poverty while lauding government efforts to fight against this common global problem.

He also said the government should respect human rights and should not allow 'extrajudicial killings' in fighting terrorism. "Otherwise, it'll be counterproductive."

The Swiss envoy lauded government's measures in giving diplomats adequate security after July 1 'most unfortunate' attack on a Gulshan restaurant last year.

"Now, I feel very safe in Dhaka and in Bangladesh. I feel comfortable. But it's important to think about security not only for foreigners but also for all citizens in the country," Ambassador Fotsch told UNB ahead of the July 1 attack anniversary.

Terming violent extremism and terrorism a global challenge, the Ambassador said both Bangladesh and his country are strongly committed to fighting against violent extremism and terrorism. "The response from Bangladesh has been very adequate and good."

Darryl Lau who recently completed his almost six years tenure as Consul General at Singapore Consulate in Dhaka said the issue of terrorism and extremism is an issue which is faced by many countries and solution to this lies on closer and enhanced cooperation.

"In this regard, I'm happy to share that there has been very strong linkages between our intelligence and security wings," said the diplomat.

He laid emphasis on preventing people from being misguided and mentioned that families and children (of terrorists or terror suspects) should not be abandoned rather they should be taken care of and treated well. "A very comprehensive approach is needed."

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam recently visited Japan and expressed his deepest condolences for the Japanese lives lost in Dhaka on July 1.

He also informed about the various measures that the government of Bangladesh has taken to combat terrorism.

Referring to his meeting with his Japanese counterpart Nobuo Kishi, a Foreign Ministry senior official here said Kishi assured that Japan is ready to assist Bangladesh in all possible means to fight terrorism.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday said investigators were taking time to submit the charge-sheet in the Holey Artisan attack case as they want it to be flawless.

"A flawless charge-sheet will be submitted soon," he told reporters at his secretariat office on the first working day after the Eid vacation.