The United States has put emphasis on "better understanding" with Bangladesh to counter terrorism and offered assistance to combat terrorism and violent extremism.

"We are ready to help Bangladesh in fighting terrorism and violent extremism by providing experts and technical supports," US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal said today.

Biswal made the offer when she paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here this morning.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

He said the Prime Minister and the US Assistant Secretary of State discussed the issue of recent secret killings in Bangladesh.

Expressing concern over recent killings in Bangladesh, Biswal said the USA and Bangladesh could share information over combating terrorism and violent extremism.

While talking about the issue of terrorism, she said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has personal sacrifice and experience in combating terrorism.

"She (Prime Minister) herself a victim of terrorism as her most of the family members were assassinated in the 15 August carnage in 1975," she said.

The US Assistant Secretary of State stressed the need for strengthening community policing system and expressed satisfaction over stepping up security measures by the Bangladesh government for safety of the US embassy staff.

Biswal invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to co-chair a high-level event on migration with US President Barack Obama to be held during the 71st UN General Assembly in September.

Reiterating her government's "zero tolerance policy" against terrorism, the Prime Minister said her government is always vocal against terrorism and militancy.

"Criminals are criminals, terrorists are terrorists and they have no religion," she said.

Pointing out the emergence of terrorists and militants during the five-year misrule of the BNP-Jamaat government, the Premier said the BNP-Jamaat nexus patronised the terrorists and militants.

Under that patronisation, the law enforcers gave them (terrorists and militants) protection, she mentioned.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said in the past Bangladesh's soil was allowed for terrorist activities in other countries. But we have stopped it after coming to power.

While talking about recent killings including USAID Staff Zulhaz Mannan, imams of mosques, priests of temples and fathers of churches, the Prime Minister said they are the "soft targets".

These heinous killings are "cold-blooded murder", she said, adding such killings are being staged to sensitize the issue.

She requested the US Assistant Secretary of State to provide information regarding terrorism if they have to combat the danger.

Sheikh Hasina said a grisly grenade attack was carried out by the BNP-Jamaat terrorists in 2004 in which she just narrowly escaped.

She also noted the mindless atrocities and political persecution the BNP-Jamaat government inflicted on the opposition as well as minority people after the 2001 general elections.

She also mentioned the mindless violence and rampage of the BNP-Jamaat clique to resist the January 5 polls and during the three months of the last year.

Sheikh Hasina said it was military dictator Ziaur Rahman who initiated the politics of coup, conspiracy and killing. "General Zia even gave indemnity to the killers of Bangabandhu by passing a law in parliament," she said.

While talking about the issue of the conspiracy hatched in the USA against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the Prime Minister thanked the US government for bringing the accused to justice.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bloom Barnicat were present.

BSS/LY