According to newspaper reports, US explosives expert James Dalton Telfer came to Dhaka on Sunday to assist the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

When asked, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan yesterday said, "I have no knowledge about this…I saw it in the newspaper."

He said the foreign ministry has not yet asked any help from any country regarding the investigation into the bomb explosions. "If required, we will not hesitate to seek assistance," Morshed added.

The foreign minister said both Bangladesh and the US have extensive cooperation in different fields and there are exchanges at different levels.

On another question, he said it is not possible to speculate anything before completion of investigation. "I don't believe having any international link to the August 17 bomb blasts. A vigorous investigation is now going on and I hope the criminals and their patrons will come out through the investigation," he added.

The minister reiterated his appeal to all concerned to refrain from the blame game and said that real criminals might slip if the blame game continues.

On another query, he said that all programmes regarding visit of foreign dignitaries to Bangladesh and Bangladesh leaders to other countries remain unchanged.