Monday, August 14 2006 12:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Bangladesh has lodged a strong protest with India over BJP president Rajnath Singh's remarks that New Delhi should attack the neighbouring country and dismantle terror centres there, saying the comments were 'outrageous' as no such centres existed here.

India's Deputy High Commissioner Sarbajit Chakravarty was summoned to the Foreign Office here yesterday and told that the BJP leader's remarks were 'highly irresponsible.' Singh said last week that India should attack Pakistan and Bangladesh 'to dismantle terrorist centres' in these countries.

"Expressing 'deep shock and surprise' at the statement, a foreign ministry spokesman said the Government is appalled at such outrageous comments and found them completely uncalled for and highly irresponsible as they came from the president of a leading political party in India," the UNB news agency reported.

State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar termed Singh's comments as 'audacious'.

Bangladesh has repeatedly denied existence of any such camps on its soil.

The incident comes amid continued tension as thousands of villagers living in the bordering locality of Zakiganj area are yet to return home after yesterday's flag meeting.

The border shootout last week left several people injured on both sides. The incident according to officials, is one of the worst ever and lasted some 14 hours.

The Bangladesh foreign ministry also protested a statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka putting the blame on Bangladesh Rifles border guards for the Zakiganj incident, saying it was 'false, fabricated and unsubstantiated'.