Bangladesh seeks US help in releasing kidnapped BRAC employee

Dhaka, Sep 19 (UNI) Bangladesh today sought US assistance in securing the release of one of its nationals who was kidnapped in Afghanistan recently.

Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury made the request during a meeting with US deputy assistant secretary John Gastright.

''I have requested him to see whether it will be possible for US authorities to help securing the release of Nurul Islam,'' the Advisor told reporters.

He said the government has devised a four-pronged strategy to secure the release of Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) Area Manager Nurul Islam, kidnapped in Afghanistan on September 15.

BRAC is a non-government organisation of Bangladesh working in micro-credit, health and education sectors. The organisation has over 3,500 local staff and about 200 Bangladeshi employees working in 36 provinces of Afghanistan.

Dr Chaudhury said he also talked to Pakistan government after his talks with the Afghan Foreign Minister.

Nurul Islam was kidnapped within days of assassination of another BRAC employee named Abdul Alim in the war-torn country.

UNI