Bangladesh Situation Report: Armed
attack at café in Dhaka
02/07/2016 – 0200 BST
Executive summary
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Estimated 8-9 gunmen attack the Holey Artisan Bakery café in Gulshan 2 district of Dhaka
Two police officers have been killed, over 40 others have been injured
Approximately 20 people are currently held hostage by the gunmen
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack
As the hostage situation is currently ongoing, specific government responses to secure the capital
remain unknown at the time of writing
However, police patrols, security checks and possible travel restrictions in Dhaka could follow
Overview
On 01 July approximately 8-9 gunmen attacked the Holey Artisan Bakery café in the Gulshan 2
district of Dhaka. The incident occurred at approximately 2120 local time when many people would be
eating for Iftar (Islamic breaking of fast). Gunfire exchange with police has killed at least two senior
police officers and some reports suggest explosives were thrown at the police. A further 40 people
were caught in the crossfire and hit by flying shrapnel. According to hospital authorities, 10 of the
injured were in critical condition. The café owner, Sumon Reza, claimed he escaped as 6-8 armed
men entered the café reportedly shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’. Islamic State’s (IS) news agency Amaq
announced IS affiliates were responsible for the attack and claimed 24 people of various nationalities
had been killed. However, Bangladeshi police denied the claim and confirmed the death of two police
officers. The gunmen likely targeted the café given its location within Dhaka’s diplomatic quarters and
the presence of foreign nationals in the area. Seven Italian nationals are believed to be among the
hostages in addition to Sri Lankan and Indian nationals.
Holey Artisan
Bakery café
Map 1. Map of Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Current situation
Amid the ongoing hostage situation, Bangladeshi security forces have cordoned off the immediate
area surrounding the café. In addition to a heavy police presence in the area, border guards have also
arrived to secure the vicinity and provide assistance to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the
Bangladeshi elite police force. According to RAB, the hostages have not been harmed as of yet and
they are working to secure their release. The Guardian reports that by 0200 LT the Special Warfare
Diving and Salvage Command, a special commando force of the Bangladeshi army, had also arrived
at the site to provide assistance. According to Benazir Ahmed, chief of the RAB, they are seeking to
peacefully resolve the situation with the assailants.
While IS has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to local source Bangla Tribune, the
assailants are members of Jamaat-ul-Muhjahideen (JMB) a local terrorist group that aims to replace
Bangladesh with an Islamic State based on Sharia law. According to the report, JMB has made three
demands in exchange for the release of the hostages: the release of Khaled Saifullah (leader of JMB,
arrested the previous day), for security forces to allow the assailants to leave safely, and the
acknowledgment of their quest for establishing Islamic rule in the country.
Local authorities have requested local media to stop all live broadcasts of the ongoing situation ahead
of an impending rescue operation. One suspected attacker has reportedly been arrested and taken to
the hospital for treatment.
Following the attack, the US Embassy advised its citizens to ‘shelter in place and monitor news’. The
UK FCO has advised travellers to follow the advice of local security authorities. Earlier on 30 June,
Dhaka Metropolitan Police stated increased security measures would be implemented for Eid holidays
and according to local commissions, security forces will be deployed to critical areas in the capital.
Outlook
Given the attack’s significance in terms of both severity and targeting of foreign nationals, it is likely
that security measures across Dhaka and perhaps other areas of the country will be increased.
Additional security personnel are likely to be deployed on patrols, particularly in the diplomatic quarter
and Gulshan districts. According to reports, security has already been heightened at Dhaka
International airport, where services remain operational at the time of writing. Given continued attacks
and insecurity across Bangladesh, protests over the perceived lack of government responses to
control militancy and provide adequate security could occur at short notice. Such demonstrations in
the past have severely disrupted or restricted travel movements, and may involve violence.
Both IS and JMB have conducted attacks in Bangladesh in recent months. Both Islamist militant
groups target foreign nationals, religious minorities and homosexuals. The Bangladeshi government
denies a presence of IS in the country however there are a number of Islamist militant groups which
share the same ideology. Whilst JMB has similar aims as IS, the militant group has not publicly
pledged allegiance to IS. In numerous past incidents JMB have been suspected of conducting attacks
with IS later claiming responsibility. Other militants that have conducted attacks in Bangladesh include
al-Qaeda.
Date
JUL 2016
JUN 2016
MAY 2016
APR 2016
APR 2016
OCT 2015
SEP 2015
Attack
Shyamananda Das, Hindu priest killed in Jhenaidah district
Anando Gopal Gangul, Hindu priest killed in Jhenaidah district
Sufi religious leader killed in Rajshahi district
Xulhas Mannan, editor of LGBT magazine murdered in Dhaka
Bangladeshi professor murdered for being ‘atheist’ in Rajshahi
district
Attempted murder of Christian pastor in Iswardi
Italian aid worker killed in Gulshan, Dhaka
Perpetrator
Suspected JMB/IS
IS
IS
IS
IS
JMB
Suspected IS
Table 1. Recent significant incidents
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Traveller safety and advice
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Travellers are advised to exercise extreme caution when travelling in Gulshan and places
frequented by foreign nationals and crowds
Road closures are likely in the immediate vicinity of the Holey Artisan Bakery café
Additional security checks and police patrols are likely in the short to medium term
Travellers are advised to monitor local news sources and follow instructions by security
authorities
Demonstrations could suddenly take place in Bangladesh at short notice, particularly over the
perceived lack of government responses to provide adequate security
Following the murder of a Hindu priest on 01 July, the Indian political party Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) have threatened to suspend trains between Dhaka and Kolkata
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