The anti-terrorism tribunal in Dhaka has ordered that the seven militants will die for the killings of 22 people in the worst and barbarous terror attack Bangladesh suffered in one of the most secured zones in its capital around three and half years back.
In a packed courtroom on Wednesday (Nov.27), Judge Mujibur Rahman of the special tribunal delivered the verdict, keeping provision for appeal, for the blitz on Holey Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan diplomatic zone which sent shockwaves across the world.
The convicts -- Jahangir Hossain alias Rajib Gandhi, Rakibul Hasan Regan, Aslam Hossain alias Rashedul Islam alias Rash, Abdus Sabur Khan alias Soheil Mahfuz, Hadisur Rahman Sagar, Shariful Islam Khaled alias Khalid and Mamunur Rashid Ripon – were in the court to hear their death sentence.
The other suspect in the case, Mizanur Rahman alias Boro Mizan, has been given acquittal for want sufficient evidence and his charges were not proved. They were top leaders of a revived faction of Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), according to police.
The suicide attack on Holey Artisan Bakery, a trendy eatery popular with the expats, on July 1, 2016 by a group of young Islamist militants was carried out amid a surge in extremism across the globe. It forced Bangladesh, built on secular ideals, to divert huge resources and efforts to tackle terrorism.
It also revealed how young men from wealthy families and schooled in famed institutions were leaving homes to join militancy.
The attackers targeted the high-street joint because it was a huge hit with foreigners for its food, lakeside view, and green lawn. It was a Friday, a weekly holiday during Ramadan, just a week before Bangladesh was to celebrate its biggest religious festival.
The five young attackers, armed with pistols, sub-machine guns, sharp weapons, and grenades, stormed into the cafe around 8:45pm and started an overnight siege.
As the international media started covering the biggest story of the day, many were still held hostage inside the café.
The militants slaughtered and shot dead 20 diners, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, a US citizen and an Indian. Two police officers were killed in grenade blasts as they tried to take the assailants on inside the cafe. Two employees of the eatery also died in the attack.
In an army operation codenamed ‘Thunderbolt’, Para Commandos rescued 13 hostages, killing all five attackers and a chef. A kitchen worker succumbed to his injuries later.
The law-enforcement killed a number of top militant suspects, including eight masterminds behind the cafe carnage, in raids on terror hideouts across the country as part of a crackdown on militancy.
The young Islamist militants carried on attack in Gulshan’s Holy Artisan bakery (Spanish Restaurant). In that 20 persons including 17 foreigners were killed. Of the foreigners nine were Italians mainly involved in Garments business while seven Japanese of Jaica and one Indian.
Local police when rushed to the spot the militants carried grenade attack on them killing Assistant Commissioner (DB) of police Rabiul Islam and OC of Banani PS Salauddin Ahemd were killed.
Inspector of CTTC Humayun Kabir after investigating the case pressed charge sheet against eight suspects.