ZCZC
BSS-34
HOLEY ARTISAN-CTTC-MILITANCY
Backbone of militancy broken: Manirul
DHAKA, July 1, 2019 (BSS) – Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit Chief and Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Monirul Islam today said the organizational backbone of the militancy has already been damaged and the unit is working to stop its reappearance.
“We already have broken the organizational structure of the militancy… Police and CTTC unit are working to resist the reemergence of the problem,” he said at a programme marking three years of the militant attack on Holey Artisan restaurant at Gulshan here this morning.
Replying to a query, the CTTC unit chief said all the new members of the banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB), who had been involved in the attack, were dead.
“We are expecting that the trial will be completed as soon as possible,” said he.
The DMP additional commissioner said the militants had tried to carry out an attack on the Eid congregation at Solakia immediately after the causalities of the holey artisan, but the attack was foiled due initiatives of the law enforcement agencies.
On the evening of July 1, 2016, five militants armed with guns and knives stormed the cafe and took around 40 people, including the restaurant staff and guests – both local and foreigner, as hostage.
The militants murdered 20 people – nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi-born American and two Bangladeshis – during the overnight terror attack. Besides, two police officers – Salauddin Ahmed and Robiul Karim – were killed when they tried to rescue the hostages.
Senior police officials including Gulshan Zone ADC , Deputy Police Commissioner of Gulshan Zone Mostaq Ahmed, among others, were present at the programme.
BSS/CORR/OG/BR/1825