December 21, 2021
2 mins read

US: $5mn Reward for info on killers of Avijit Roy

On February 26, 2015, Roy and Ahmed were visiting Dhaka to attend a book fair when they were attacked by assailants with machetes…reports Asian Lite News

Through its Rewards for Justice (RFJ) office, the US Department of States Diplomatic Security Service, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information on the terrorist attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh that left American citizen Avijit Roy dead and his wife, Rafida Bonya Ahmed, seriously injured.

In a statement issued late Monday, the Department said that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has “authorised a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of anyone involved in the murder of Roy and the attack on Ahmed”.

On February 26, 2015, Roy and Ahmed, both Bangladesh-born US citizens, were visiting Dhaka to attend a book fair when they were attacked by assailants with machetes. Roy was killed and Ahmed survived with critical injuries.

Pic credits @RFJ_USA

“This investigation remains open, and we are seeking information that will assist law enforcement agencies in bringing to justice the perpetrators of this heinous terrorist attack. A total of six individuals were charged, tried, and convicted in Bangladesh.

“Two of the convicted conspirators, Syed Ziaul Haque (aka Major Zia) and Akram Hussain were tried in absentia and remain at large,” the Department said in its statement.

Ansarullah Bangla Team, an Al Qaeda-inspired terrorist group based in Bangladesh, claimed responsibility for the attack, and shortyly thereafter, Asim Umar, the now-deceased leader of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), posted a widely circulated video claiming that AQIS followers were responsible for the attack on Roy and Ahmed.

Pic credits IANS

“In 2016, the Department of State designated AQIS as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224, which provides authority to sanction terrorists and those who support terrorists or terrorist acts,” the Department added.

The Rewards for Justice Program, administered by the Diplomatic Security Service, is an effective law enforcement tool.

Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid in excess of $200 million to more than 100 people who provided actionable information that helped prevent terrorist attacks, bring terrorists to justice, and resolve threats to US national security, according to the State Department.

ALSO READ: Biden’s social spending bill likely to extend into early 2022

Previous Story

Dubai airport becomes 100% operational

Next Story

RSS chief meets Dalai Lama

Latest from -Top News

Pak, Iran Crack Down on Afghan Refugees

Most of those affected are in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where authorities have intensified pressure on Afghan nationals to leave….reports Asian Lite News As forced deportation and illegal detention of Afghan refugees continues,

Balochistan Bleeds Under Pakistan’s Iron Fist

The Baloch people have long faced marginalization and exploitation. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and collective punishment have further alienated the Baloch population…reports Deepak Kumar The scale and the audacity of the attack

Luxon’s India Visit Kicks Off Today

Prime Minister Luxon will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior officials, ministers, business leaders…reports Asian Lite News New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is scheduled to arrive in India on

Pakistan Blames Kabul for Jaffar Express Attack

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has stated that the intercepted calls confirmed links between the attackers and Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan of orchestrating the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Regional Development Focus of India-Bangladesh Friendship Dialogue

The inaugural address was given by MoS MEA Rajkumar Ranjan

Ajay Banga visits Delhi in final leg of global tour

Banga will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well