Bangladesh Rifles chief for joint anti-terror operations

Bangladesh Rifles chief Major General Shakil Ahmed has offered to work with India to fight Islamic terror outfits, contending that his country too has been a victim.

''Both sides will have to work together to fight terrorism and insurgents in the common interest of peace and security,'' Ahmed told media-persons on Thursday after exchanging Vijaya Dashami greetings with inspector general of the Border Security Force P K Mishra at Dawki-Tamabil border outpost in eastern Meghalaya sector.

The BDR chief was reacting to the allegations about involvement of Bangladesh-based terror organisation Harkat-ul-Jihad-Islamiya in the recent serial blasts in various parts of India, including the Northeastern region.

The BDR chief, accompanied by his wife, said his country was gravely concerned over the activities of the HuJI in the neighbourhood and would do everything it could to stamp out the menace.

''We have already been cooperating with BSF by sharing intelligence related to cross border activities,'' he said.

However, Major General Ahmed stressed the need for joint efforts to deal with all cross-border activities.

''We will have to fight together against them to make both the nations and even the entire south Asia free of terror,'' he said.

There has been progress in this direction, he said, adding that India and Bangladesh have decided to start joint patrolling of their border against infiltrators and smugglers.

On India's allegations of the neighbouring country sheltering anti-Indian insurgents, the BDR chief said Bangladesh does not and would not allow any criminals to function from Bangladesh against India.

''Recently, we (Bangladesh) handed over 18 criminals at Akhura check post and four criminals from Mymensingh district to India,'' Major General Ahmed said.

On India's request to deport detained United Liberation Front of Asom, general secretary Anup Chetia, wanted in India in several murder cases, the BDR chief said the detained ULFA leader had approached the court.

The deportation of Chetia been on the agenda of every discussion between India and Bangladesh, but the ULFA leader moved a Dhaka court pleading for 'political asylum' in Bangladesh stating that he was 'fighting for freedom' in Assam.