US not sure about IS presence in Bangladesh

A US State Department spokesperson has said the US is not certain about the presence of Islamic State in Bangladesh.

"... It's difficult to say the degree to which ISIL is or is not operating in Bangladesh. I'm not at a position where I can make that determination," John Kirby, the spokesperson, told reporters at a regular press briefing in Washington yesterday.

On the Islamic State's reported claims of responsibility for the killings of an Italian and a Japanese national in Bangladesh, he said, "We certainly note with concern ISIL's [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] claim of responsibility for the attack. And, as we have elsewhere, we take those claims seriously."

"It's by law enforcement authorities there in Bangladesh to confirm responsibility. But I think it's prudent for us to take ISIL claims seriously, and we do. But I just don't have anything specific to give you in terms of actual responsibility for it ... We need to let the law enforcement agencies there in Bangladesh investigate this and come to their own conclusions," Kirby added.

The IS reportedly claimed responsibility for the murders of Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella in Dhaka's diplomatic zone on September 28 and Japanese national Kunio Hoshi in Rangpur on October 3.

Refuting the claims, the Bangladesh government said it found no militant links with the murders and that the attacks were aimed at destabilising the country.

Kirby said the US is working relentlessly with Bangladesh to identify the killers of the two foreigners.

"We are working closely with the government of Bangladesh and key partners to assess who is responsible for these attacks and to help bring them to justice."