Saturday, 2 July 2016

IS link not confirmed yet: US

Star Online Report
The US State Department has said it “cannot yet confirm” the link of Middle-east-based terror group Islamic State (IS) with the hostage crisis at a restaurant in Bangladesh capital Dhaka though the group reportedly claimed credit for the attack.

“We have seen ISIL claims of responsibility, but cannot yet confirm and are assessing the information available to us,” US Department of State Spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement.

Issued after the crisis unfolded in Dhaka, the statement reads: “We join with the people of Bangladesh in expressing our outrage at this brutal act of terrorism and offer our condolences to the friends and families of the victims, including Bangladeshi law enforcement officials who have been killed or injured responding to the attack.”

The US embassy in Dhaka has confirmed 100 percent accountability of all official American personnel with no injuries reported, the statement said. “We are working with the local authorities to determine if any US citizens and locally–employed staff were affected.”

As the news reached, the embassy issued a shelter-in-place order, it said.

“This order was issued out of caution, but at no time was the embassy compound itself under immediate threat from this attack.”

The US officials are in “ongoing contact with the government of Bangladesh” as the situation continues to unfold, said the statement.

“We have offered our assistance in their efforts to bring to justice those responsible for these attacks and to combat terrorism and violent extremism.”

Gulshan attack: 6 gunmen killed, 1 held, PM says

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has condemned the Gulshan restaurant attack and hostage crisis that has, so far, led to the confirmed deaths of at least eight people – six gunmen and two police officers.
- 13 people rescued, 6 assailants killed, 1 held
- PM Hasina thanks law enforcers for promptness
- Hasina slams media for live coverage
- Not Muslims: Hasina says on Gulshan attackers
READ MORE: Bloody end to Dhaka hostage crisis
“Six attackers have been killed and 13 rescued,” she said during a programme in Dhaka this afternoon after the crisis ended. “The attackers were not allowed to escape. One attacker has been captured alive.”
She thanked the law enforcers – Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, police, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh – for their swift actions into the situation.
The government’s brought in security forces including army commandoes who were called in from Sylhet, Savar and Dhaka cantonments to tackle the situation, she said.
“Within ten hours of the crisis, we were able save 13 hostages,” she said. Several injured victims of the hostage crisis were under treatment at CMH, she added.  
READ MORE: LIVE UPDATES OF GULSHAN ATTACK
Reiterating her vow to stop militancy and terrorism, Hasina reassured citizens that her government will do everything to curb militancy and violent extremism in the country.

‘WHAT SORT OF MUSLIMS THEY ARE’

“They (gunmen) should have been in their Tarabi prayers at that time – during the month of Ramadan, a month of self restraint,” the premier said on the note of the attackers.
“What sort of Muslims they are that they don’t offer prayers and instead do such a thing? And what has been the result? None of the attackers could get away with their lives.”

PM COMES DOWN HARD ON TELEVISION CHANNELS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came down heavily to the private television channels for live telecast of the offensive launched again the gunmen at the restaurant.
“Don’t they think that criminals can adjust to the steps taken by lawmen based on the information broadcast by the media,” she said urging a restraint.
“I have personally observed who did not heed to the bar on live telecasting the operation. Most of the private TV channels were approved by me. So be careful. It’s not a plaything.”
PM Hasina was addressing an inaugural programme of four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong and Joydebpur-Mymensingh highways at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre this morning.

Dhaka attack: 20 hostages killed Friday night, says ISPR

Star Online Report
Gunmen killed 20 people, mostly with sharp weapons, shortly after taking hostage a number of diners at a café in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone last evening, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
-- ‘Operation thunderbolt’ conducted
-- Among 7 attackers, six killed, one held alive
-- Victims mostly killed by sharp weapons
-- Sharp weapons, unexploded IED, walkie-talkie recovered
-- Autopsies at Dhaka CMH
-- Dial +88-0176-9012524 to ascertain victims’ identity, army says 
As per instruction by the honourable head of the government, Bangladesh Army conducted Operation Thunderbolt, Brig Gen Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury, director of military operations, told journalists at a press briefing this afternoon.
Joint security force led by army recovered 20 bodies during a search on the compound of the Spanish restaurant, Holey Artisan Bakery after the operation was launched, Brig Gen Nayeem said.
“Most of the victims were killed brutally with sharp weapons,” he added.
Brig Gen Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury, director of military operations, briefing the media at Dhaka Cantonment on July 2, 2016, about the Gulshan attack. Photo: TV grab
Autopsies of the deceased will be conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) following existing norms, the army official said.
For details and to ascertain identity of the deceased, people have been told to contact army provost martial of Bangladesh Army over a hotline +88-0176-9012524.
Members of army, navy, air force, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action battalion and police took part in the over an hour operation starting at 7:40am, Brig Gen Nayeem.
Two Sri Lankans and a Japanese were among the 13 hostages rescued in the operation.
Six terrorists were killed and joint forces detained a suspected attacker from the spot, he said. 
A pistol used by terrorists, folded butt AK 22 rifle, Improvised Explosive Device (IED), walkie-talkie set and a large number of locally made sharp weapons were recovered from the spot, he said.

Dhaka attack: 20 hostages killed Friday night, says ISPR

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