India, Dec. 31 -- The British government has condemned the killing of two Hindus in Bangladesh amid a recent spike in violence in the Muslim-majority country following the death of anti-India radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Whitehall sources told The Times of India that the UK government "condemns the murders of Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal and extends its condolences to their families and friends."

With general elections approaching in Bangladesh, the sources added that London had stressed the need for calm. "We have underlined the importance of the current election campaign being peaceful. At the same time, we continue to support Bangladesh in protecting civic and human rights and in tackling corruption," they said.

Meanwhile,...