The United States of America has condemned attack on Reaz Rahman, an adviser to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, saying 'The United States is shocked and saddened and hope for his speedy recovery’.

‘There is no justification for such outrageous and cowardly acts in a democratic Bangladesh; we condemn the use of violence for political objectives,’ said in a statement issued by the US State Department.

It reads, 'We urge the government of Bangladesh to investigate, track down, and hold accountable those responsible for these acts. We urge all sides to refrain from acts of violence. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and eschew violence and intimidation, and we urge the government to ensure people can freely exercise their right to peaceful political expression'.

Reaz, the former state minister for foreign affairs, was shot by four bullets in the left leg and on his back on an alleyway near Westin Hotel in Gulshan-2 intersection at about 8:30pm on his way back from the Gulshan office of Khaleda Zia.

QH