• Istanbul, January 12, 11 people killed by a suicide bomber
• Ougadougu, January 15, 30 people killed in attack by al-Qaeda
• Mogadishu, January 22, 20 people killed in attacks by Al Shabab
• Dikwa, February 9, 60 people killed by suicide bombers
• Ankara, February 17, 28 people killed in car bomb
• Mogadishu, February 26, 14 people killed in suicide bombing
• Ankara, March 13, 37 people killed by car bomb
• Brussels, March 22, 31 people killed by suicide bombers
We are deeply saddened by the suicide bombing in Lahore on Sunday which killed over 72 people and injured hundreds more.
It is sobering to note this abhorrent attack on Christians celebrating Easter, claimed by a Taliban affiliated group, is only one in a long litany of major terrorist attacks which have taken place this year alone.
As the partial list above shows, nowhere is immune from terrorism. The desire of terrorists to spread fear and grow hatred gives them cause to target civilians and places far from active war zones.
The various claims for responsibility made on behalf of groups like IS, after recent attacks on minorities and writers in Bangladesh, shows that the threat posed by globalised groups of violent Islamist militants is one we share with countries all around the world.
It is imperative Bangladesh does everything possible to stop terrorism within our borders.
There must be no hiding place for terrorists.
Law enforcers need to be more resolute in efforts to identify and apprehend terrorists.
The public needs to be vigilant in taking common-sense security precautions and in resisting the propaganda of groups and individuals who seek to glorify or support terrorist violence.
The government needs to sustain co-operation with the international community to help combat terror threats and to show no nation stands alone in the face of terror.