Dhaka – The Australian government has authorised the dependents of posted Australian staff in Bangladesh to return to Australia on a voluntary basis apparently considering the ‘overall situation in Bangladesh’.
Australia will also withdraw its government funded volunteers by December 31, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.The ministry in its travel advisory note also suggested Australian citizens to exercise a high degree of caution.
The advisory says that the ISIL claimed another attack against a ‘Shiite mosque’ in northern Bangladesh.
“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh due to the high threat of terrorist attack and the uncertain political situation,” the advisory note said in its summary part.
It claimed that there is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian and Western interests in Bangladesh.
Since September, the advisory says, a number of attacks claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have occurred in Bangladesh, some targeting foreigners.- UNB
