The interim government has announced decisive action in response to the politically motivated assault on Bangladeshi political leaders during their return from the United States, signaling a zero-tolerance stance against attacks on the nation’s representatives abroad.

“We—the advisers and political leaders—sat together and held extensive discussions on the incident,” said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday evening (US time). “We reviewed possible steps and the precise manner in which these actions will be carried out.”

Among the advisers present in New York were Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, who joined political leaders in assessing the security breach and coordinating responses.

The attack occurred on Monday in New York, targeting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and NCP leaders Akhter Hossen and Tasnim Jara. According to reports, the assault was orchestrated by affiliates and supporters of the ousted autocrat Sheikh Hasina, underscoring the continued reach of violent political networks beyond Bangladesh’s borders.

In a related incident at John F. Kennedy International Airport, delegation members—including the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus—were pelted with eggs by unidentified assailants, causing minor injuries and creating chaos at the terminal. The egg-throwing episode, authorities confirmed, was a politically motivated act intended to intimidate the delegation.

The interim government described both incidents as “reprehensible attacks” and issued a strong statement:

“We reiterate our unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law, both at home and internationally. Acts of political violence and intimidation—whether within Bangladesh or beyond its borders—will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate legal and diplomatic responses.”

Following the attacks, security measures for the Chief Adviser and the delegation have been significantly reinforced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated precautionary security protocols in anticipation of potential risks, including VVIP transport and secure access through designated gates. However, last-minute visa complications at JFK forced the delegation to reroute through a less secure exit, exposing them to unnecessary danger.

Despite repeated requests from the highest levels of the interim government for continued VVIP facilitation, airport authorities reportedly failed to maintain the requested protections, a lapse that the government described as “unacceptable and avoidable.”

Immediately after the incidents, the Bangladesh Mission in New York engaged with the New York Police Department to ensure swift law enforcement action. “We have been informed that one individual has already been apprehended, and a formal investigation is underway,” the government confirmed.

The interim administration stressed that the attacks reflect the toxic and violent political culture nurtured under Hasina’s regime—a legacy it is committed to dismantling. The government reaffirmed its determination to ensure the safety, dignity, and security of all Bangladeshi leaders abroad, working closely with U.S. federal and local law enforcement agencies to prevent future threats.

“This is a stark reminder of the lengths to which remnants of the ousted regime and their supporters will go to intimidate political leaders and undermine democratic processes,” the statement said. “We will not allow such acts to go unchallenged.”

The incidents have not only drawn condemnation from Dhaka but also sent a signal that the interim government is prepared to confront politically motivated violence decisively—at home and abroad—to safeguard Bangladesh’s democracy and sovereignty.