PA/ GETTY Islamic extremism is on the rise in Bangladesh as the number of defiant Christians soars

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Some 22 people were killed in a deadly attack on a cafe in Dhaka on July 1 with the Government blaming local homegrown militants despite Islamic State (ISIS) reportedly claiming responsibility. Local pastors say the attack is the latest in a string of targeted killings which have left Christians and religious minorities fearing for their lives. The attack took place in Dhaka's diplomatic zone, Gulshan, causing widespread fear and concern about the rise in Islamic extremism in the country. A worker for Christian advocacy charity Open Doors said: "Survivors of the attack said the killers made their hostages recite verses from the Koran.

When I began my ministry there was only one traditional Christian family.Now, almost 1,500 believers from Muslim backgrounds are glorifying God in this area Pastor Faruk al Ahmed

"Those who could were spared, while those unable to were killed. "This latest attack, however, is the first concerted attack on foreigners, marking a major escalation in a campaign by militants.” So far, it's not clear if the plot was organised by ISIS in Syria, or developed locally in Bangladesh. Over the last few years, Open Doors' World Watch researchers have been observing the rise of extremism and terrorism against minorities in Bangladesh, including Christians. Of the country’s 162million, 89 per cent population are Muslim with just 828,000 Christians.

Believers have been targeted for their faith on numerous occasions by extremist groups - on June 5, a 72-year-old Christian was murdered in the village of Bonpara, and in March, Christian evangelist Habib Alam was killed by members of ISIS. There have also been reports of banned Islamist groups threatening to kill people who do not conform to their rules which include having a copy of the Koran, not allowing women to work and removing Christian sacred images from shops. Thomas Muller, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, warned: "The increasingly volatile situation remains dangerous for the Christian minority." But despite the threat the Christian community is growing in size.

AFP ISIS has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in Bangladesh

Pastor Faruk al Ahmed, a believer from a Muslim background, has been preaching the gospel in Kurigram in northern Bangladesh since the mid-1990s. He said: ”When I began my ministry in Kurigram, there was only one traditional Christian family and one Muslim background family. "Now, almost 1,500 believers from Muslim backgrounds are glorifying God in this area.” But these Christians are beginning to attract danger from Islamist terrorists. Since November 2015, dozens of Christian pastors in Bangladesh have received death threats from extremists - including recently murdered Habib Alam, who was Pastor Faruk's first convert.

ANADOLU People have been left fearing for their lives after the Dhaka attack

GETTY Some 22 people were killed in a deadly attack on a cafe in Dhaka on July 1

Pastor Faruk said: ”Persecution will come more but the believers and I are ready to face it.” Advocacy charities are now working with Christians and religious minorities in the Islamic country to provide support. Secular bloggers have also been targeted as well as those who have spoken out about the dangers of fundamentalism. A spokeswoman for the South Asia Team for Christian Solidarity Worldwide spoke to Express.co.uk about the dangerous situation. She said: “I think even before the attack July 1, people were scared.

"There had been attacks on bloggers and a university professor had been killed. “People are certainly very fearful and they are concerned about their future and they are concerned about going out. “They are taking precuations, not going out after dark and are reconsidering how often they go out and where to. There’s a sense of insecurity and instability and certainly one of fear. People are disturbed. “Targeted killings have focused on secular bloggers and people who have been outspoken about fundamentalism. I think now people are being much more careful about what they say.

GETTY The government has blamed homegrown terrorists for the attack despite ISIS' claims

AFP ISIS claimed responsibility for the murder of professor Rezaul Karim Siddiquee in Apri

"There seems to be confusion over who is responsible for the attacks, with the current government saying it is homegrown terrorists. "But then you have groups such as Al-Quaeda and Daesh who have also claimed responsibility for some of the attacks. "People need reassurance that the government knows who is responsible and has intelligence about these terrorists. "I think part of the reason we have seen a rise in these attacks is some of these terror groups wanting to place their brand of Islam on Bangladesh. "You also have to consider the political context and the party Jamaat-e-Islami has astrong allegiance with Pakistan and Islam.

The fight against ISIS Fri, November 18, 2016 The battle against ISIS militants (also abbreviated as Daesh, ISIL, IS and Islamic State) continues in the Middle East. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 183 Forces battle against ISIS