Bangladesh party urges S.Asia force against militants

A powerful Bangladeshi political party said on Sunday it would seek support for a south Asia task force to combat the growing menace of terrorism in the region, if it came to power in elections later this month.

The Awami League said security forces from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka could work together to fight the militants, seizing on an idea first raised by former U.S. presidential candidate John McCain.

"If we go to power, we will take this initiative. The task force we contemplate to create will include troops from regional countries including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others," said Suranjit Sengupta, a member of the top policy making body of the Awami League.

"All these countries have faced increased terror attacks and growing threats from various militant groups in recent years. So they should act together," he said.

The proposal comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan have again risen following the attacks in Mumbai, which New Delhi says were orchestrated from Pakistan. Islamabad has said it was ready to work with India to find out how was behind the attacks. McCain, who visited Dhaka last week to see preparations for the Dec. 29 election, said he had discussed the need for coordinated action to fight terrorism in South Asia.

Suranjit said the Awami League will formally unveil the task force proposal in its election manifesto due for release on De. 12. The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party are the front-runners in the election which will end nearly two years of emergency power rule by the army-backed interim government.Dhaka, Sunday, Reuters