World leaders stand with Bangladesh in fighting terrorism

The leaders sent separate messages and made phone calls to President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina immediately after the Gulshan's restaurant attack, condemning the terrorist act and expressing solidarity with Bangladesh's fight against militancy. They reaffirmed their stand following the attack near Sholakia Eid Jamaat ground.

While denouncing the attacks and the killing of innocents, the global leaders offered assistance to track down the mastermind of the terrorist activities to help Bangladesh root out militancy from the country.

The leaders also lauded the prompt steps taken by the government to tackle the situation and reaffirmed that they would stay beside Bangladesh in its any needs.

Condemning the terrorist attack, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon assured the government that the UN is prepared to assist in efforts to prevent violent extremism in all its forms.

US President Barack Obama strongly condemned the dastardly terrorist attack on a Gulshan restaurant, saying that the United States is ready to provide any assistance to Bangladesh in rooting out terrorism and militancy.

Renewing his strong condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack, the US president on Saturday said that the United States is ready to provide any assistance to Bangladesh in rooting out terrorism and militancy.

In a message sent to his counterpart President Abdul Hamid, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said the loss of lives and injuries caused to innocent civilians in the "dastardly" attack deeply saddened him but "I was greatly relieved to hear that a number of hostages have been rescued due to the successful efforts of your government's security forces."

Mukherjee also denounced the terror attack at Sholakia and said the Indian government would extend every support possible to enable the Bangladesh government defeat these forces whose goal is to spread hatred, chaos and instability.

Japanese junior foreign minister Seiji Kihara called on Sheikh Hasina and said Tokyo would join hands with her government in fighting terrorism as the premier vowed to track down patrons of the Gulshan attack to be exposed to justice.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese premier Shizo Abe also phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and denounced the terrorist attacks at a Spanish restaurant in Gulshan.

Acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka Alison Blake called the attack at Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant a "senseless act of terror against innocent people living and working in Bangladesh" and said that the UK "should do all that we can to strengthen our resolve to proclaim Islam as a religion of peace and to reject those who seek to justify violence in its name".

Russia also denounced the terror attack in Gulshan saying "what happened in Dhaka once again proves that it is necessary to immediately combine efforts of all the global community to fight international terrorism".

Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka BenoOt-Pierre Laram,e said his government expressed its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the victims, including the brave officers of the Bangladesh security forces.

Strongly denouncing the killings at the restaurant, President of European Council Donald Tusk in a statement said the fight against terrorism would stand united against all forms of extremism.

Condemning the terrorist incident in Dhaka, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said his country always stood beside Bangladesh while he appreciated Bangladesh government for quick and strong action to end the hostage crisis sending a message that it would not tolerate terrorist activities under any circumstances.

Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen condemned the attack and said such "meaningless violence is completely unacceptable and must be fought."

Australia denounced the terrorist attack through its foreign minister Julie Bishop saying "this is another terrible terrorist attack, we condemn it absolutely, we feel for the people of Bangladesh".

She also questioned the validity of Middle-east-based Islamic State (IS) claim of responsibility for the massacre saying "I understand that ISIS has claimed responsibilities for it though that is yet to be confirmed."

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a Gulshan cafe as she described the dastardly act as a direct challenge to global community.