DHAKA: Bangladesh security forces on Saturday claimed that they have killed four militants, including the alleged mastermind of an attack on a cafe in Dhaka last month in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed.
“The militants were cornered in an early morning raid on their hideout in Naraynganj, on the outskirts of the capital, and were killed after refusing to surrender,” Additional Commissioner of Police Monirul Islam said, adding: “Bangladesh-born Canadian citizen Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, the alleged mastermind of the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe, was among those killed.”
Islamic State (IS) had claimed responsibility for the cafe attack and identified Chowdhury as its national commander.
The suspected Islamist militants singled out non-Muslims and foreigner hostages in the July 1 evening attack, killing Italians, Japanese, an American and an Indian before security forces stormed the eatery to end the 12-hour siege that has weighed on Bangladesh’s multi-billion-dollar garments industry.
The government of Bangladesh said the July 1 attack — and another on July 26 in which police killed nine militants believed to be plotting a similar assault– were the work of domestic militants.
