U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has condemned the murder of Bangladeshi gay rights activist Xulhaz Mannan, who was an employee of the U.S. embassy in Dhaka.
Kerry said in a statement late Monday: "We are profoundly saddened by the loss of one of our own in such a senseless act of violence." He also said Xulhaz "embodied the spirit of the people of Bangladesh and the pride with which they guard their traditions of tolerance, peace, and diversity."
Xulhaz and a companion were hacked to death by unidentified attackers on Monday.
A USAID official, Mannan, was at his home with his friend, Tanay Mojumdar, when five attackers arrived, disguised as couriers and pounced on them with machetes.
A security guard and a police officer- who tried to catch the assailants - were wounded in machete attacks.