The nation is set to observe the 1st anniversary of Gulshan Holy Artisan Cafe attack, the deadliest militant attack in Bangladesh’s history, in solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives.

On the evening of July 1, 2016, five militants entered the Holy Artisan Cafe and Bakery with crude bombs, machetes, pistols, and took several dozen people hostages, including 18 foreigners, reports UNB.

Twenty hostages — nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladesh-born American and two Bangladeshis— were killed as the militants sprayed them with bullets indiscriminately or cut their throats to confirm their death inside the cafe.

Besides, two senior police officers - Banani Police Station then officer-in-charge Salauddin Ahmed Khan and Detective Branch assistant commissioner Robiul Islam — were shot dead when police tried to gain control of the bakery.

Thirteen people, including three foreigners, were rescued while 20 bodies of the hostages were recovered from the restaurant after a successful operation led by the 1st Para-commando Battalion, an elite force in the Bangladesh Army the following morning (July 2). Five militants and one restaurant staff were killed and one suspected militant was arrested during the drive.

A case was filed with Gulshan police station in connection with the worst terror attack. Later, the case was transferred to the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Now, inspector Humayun Ahmed of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC) has been investigating the case as its investigation officer (IO).

Sources at the CTTC unit said investigators, involved in the investigation into the case, have already identified five suspected militants-Mizanur Rahman alias Chhoto Mizan, Sagar, Sohel Mahfuz, Rashed alias Rash and Basharuzzaman alias Chocolate-who were involved in the attack in various ways.

Chief of the CTTC unite and DMP Additional Commissioner Monirul Islam said some the cafe attack masterminds were killed during anti-militant operations in different areas.

‘We couldn’t arrest the masterminds alive. Three suspected militants whom we identified as Sohel Mahfuz, Rashed alias Rash and Basharuzzaman alias Chocolate are the most important wanted accused in the case. If we can arrest the trio, we can finish the investigation into the case,’ the CTTC chief said.

He said the specialised unit so far arrested four suspected militants in connection with the case. Of them, three suspects have already given their confessional statements under 164 Section of the CrPc before a magistrate of Dhaka court.

Their main objective of launching the attack was to draw attention of media both at home and abroad to inform the emergence of the Islamic militant group, he said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday said investigators were taking time to submit the charge-sheet in the Holey Artisan attack case as they want it to be flawless.

‘A flawless charge-sheet will be submitted soon,’ he told reporters at his secretariat office on the first working day after the Eid vacation.

Probe nearing completion

Investigation into the case relating to July 1, 2016 militant attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery at Gulshan is now at the stage of nearing completion as involvement of 24 operatives of the neo-Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have so far been found in the attack.

‘We have so far found involvement of 24 neo-JMB operatives in the Holey Artisan attack as investigation into the case is now at the final stage. The charge sheet in the case will be submitted to the court soon,’ Md Monirul Islam, Chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CCTC), told BSS.

Without specifying the number the CCTC chief said the 24 operatives have so far been found involved in different crimes in the July killing at Holy Artisan restaurant like planning, imparting militancy training and execution while two of them assisted in carrying out the attack.

‘Fifteen of the 24 militants have already been killed in encounters with the law enforcers, four of them are in jails, five others are on the run,’ he said.

The eight killed in anti-militant operations are: Tamim Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Marjan, Major Zahidul Islam, Sarowar Jahan, Tanveer Quaderi, Md Abdullah alias Rony, Abu Rayhan alias Tareq and Faridul Islam Akash.

Three of the four arrestees, Jahangir Alam alias Rajeeb Gandhi, Raqibul Hassan alias Rigan and Mizanur Rahman alias senior Mizan made confessional statement before the court under Section 164, he said.

‘We have already received autopsy reports of 20 victims killed in the Gulshan attack and are waiting for six more such reports,’ the CCTC chief said.

Forensic examinations of different items seized from the spots have already been completed, he added.

Asked about the update of the investigation into the Holy Artisan attack, Md Asaduzzaman Mia, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said everything from planning to execution of the Holy Artisan attack became clear after a thorough investigation into the matter.

‘The charge sheet in the case will be submitted by this year as the investigation is now at the final stage, he said adding that law enforcers are in an intense pursuit of capturing five more militants involved in the attack who are now on the run’ the DMP commissioner said.

At least 35 people including foreigners, seven militants and two police officers were killed in the Holy Artisan attack on July 1 last year.