A Bangladeshi pastor has survived a murder bid by three men who came to his home pretending to want to learn about Christianity, police and the victim have said.

The incident follows fatal attacks on two foreigners last week in Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim country which is grappling with violence claimed by hard-line Islamic groups.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for last week's attacks - one on a Japanese agricultural worker and the other on an Italian aid worker. The IS claim has been refuted by Bangladesh's government, which blamed the opposition for trying to destabilise the country.

In the latest attack, pastor Luke Sarker, 52, suffered minor injuries when three men aged 25-30 attacked him with a knife at his home in the north-western district of Pabna.

Mr Sarker, the pastor of Faith Bible Church, said the men who attacked him had phoned him about two weeks ago saying they wanted to visit him to learn about Christianity.

After they arrived at his home, they suddenly attacked him with a knife and tried to slit his throat, Mr Sarker said. But as he shouted, his wife came to his rescue and the men fled.