Denying the existing of Islamic State in Bangladesh, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said the release of video footage by IS from Bangladesh is part of a conspiracy against the country.

 “I’ve said it before there’s no organisational existence and leader of IS in Bangladesh. The video footage has been released as part of a conspiracy against Bangladesh,” he said.

The minister was talking to reporters after inaugurating the Regional Passport Office Building in the city’s Uttara area.

Earlier, the SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based organisation that monitors terrorist activities, has said on Friday that the Islamic State has released a video footage from Bangladesh for the first time about the Holey Artisan attackers.

Replying to a question about fleeing of suspected militants from the country, Asaduzzaman said the government will take support from the criminal database for preventing the issuance of passports for militants.

Besides, a data sharing system with Rab, DGFI and SB will be introduced for issuing passport, the minister said.

“Getting a passport is the right of people and the authorities concerned have been working for providing information technology based modern services as people can get their desired service and it will be continued,” he added.

Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Dr Mozammel Haque Khan and Director General of the Department of Immigration and Passports Brig Gen Masud Rezwan were, among others, present.