Saturday, 2 July 2016

IS claims Gulshan attack: Report

Islamic State has claimed responsibility of the attack in the Spanish restaurant at Dhaka’s Gulshan diplomatic zone where at least two police officers have died and over 20 others being held hostage, according to US-based SITE Intelligence Group.
At 1:30am today, around five hours after the crisis began, SITE tweeted the development quoting the middle-east terrorist outfit’s Amaq news agency.
The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the claim.
Islamic State allegedly claimed responsibility of several murders in the past – all of secular activists, progressive writers, bloggers and minority groups. Such claims were first reported by SITE.
The Gulshan attack began around 8:45pm tonight at Holey Artisan Bakery, a spanish restaurant, on road 79, has so far caused to injuries of at least 30 people including police officials.
There were reports from witnesses that assailants, about eight to ten of them, stormed in the hotel and launched the attacks with “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest) slogan.
Since then, police and the criminal gang have been engaged in furious gunbattle with the police. However, thus far, the criminals have had the upper hand forcing the cops at bay with blasts and gunshots.
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Chemistry On and off the Screen Ananta and Barsha

Ananta and Barsha, the power-couple of the Bangladeshi film industry, are renowned for their on-screen chemistry and hard work to bring about improvements in the cinematic arts. Ananta was introduced to the film industry right after he started dating Barsha. With his first movie “Khoj: The Search” he changed the landscape of Bengali Cinema. The couple dated for a while and tied the knot soon after. Showbiz proudly presents an entertaining session with the one and only Ananta and his better half, Barsha.

How does the chemistry of the power-duo work? 

Our love for each other now solely revolves around our son, Ariz. We had a minor misunderstanding between us recently which has now been completely solved. The misunderstanding has become an inside joke for us now, due to its trivial nature. We have never been happier. Although both of us have matters we need to attend to, returning home to our son is the only thing we look forward to. We are both very responsible towards each other and towards family issues, and that is what defines our love. 

“Khoj: The Search” has brought a positive change in the movie industry of Bangladesh. Crystal clear resolution, variety in shooting locations, top-notch sound, lights, action and graphics have definitely changed the way people feel about watching movies in Bangladesh.When did you meet each other in front of the camera for the first time? How did it feel?

We first starred together in “Khoj: The Search”. It was amazing and we both truly enjoyed it. We were both having issues relating certain sequences, so we helped each other out. We were not married back then, but we had amazing chemistry. 
What inspired you, Ananta, to bring about this change in this industry?

One of the main reasons behind starting this journey is because, back when we were dating, Barsha told me about her dreams regarding the betterment of the film industry. I felt exactly the same way and this match truly inspired me. Another important reason is that the viewership was very low in Bangladeshi movies; the younger generations especially lacked the interest or the appeal towards Bengali movies. The reason for this is that Bengali films typically do not have high budgets, and as a result, the production quality is not as good as Hollywood or Bollywood movies. The youth consider it to be a frame of reference in terms of movie quality. So I decided to change the game, and started making “Khoj: The Search” with state-of-the-art technologies to capture the attention of this crowd, as well as the mass audience as an initiative to increase viewership. The movie received positive responses in both Bangladesh and abroad. The thing about my movies is that everyone can watch them. From ministers to corporates and college-going students, everyone enjoys my films equally and this has inspired me to put in more effort in my endeavours. 
There have been some criticisms regarding foreign singers predominantly singing in your movies. What are your thoughts on this?

Ananta: There is not a single movie where I have not used at least one song by a Bangladeshi artist. There has always been a healthy ratio in the distribution of the number of songs performed; a 50-50 ratio between Bangladeshi and foreign singers. 
There have been rumours that some of the stories of your movies are direct copies of Tamil and Hindi movies. What do you have to say about this?

Ananta: I have not based a single movie on any Tamil or Hindi movie. I detest copying stories. There could be similar sequences that might trigger the audience to think that my movies are copied. I have always made movies based on different perspectives in Bangladesh. “The Speed” for instance, is based on the corruption of entrepreneurs. “Most Welcome” is based on money laundering. Each of my productions focus on a very different and unique storyline. 
From “Khoj: The Search” to “Most Welcome 2”: Which are your favourites throughout this journey?

Ananta: Our personal favourite is “Nisshartho Bhalobasha.” This is because the movie portrays the journey that Barsha had to go through, and the obstacles she had faced in order to make it in the industry. It is based on a true story, and Barsha has performed her best in my opinion.

Interviewed by Zahid AkbarWhen are you going to start working on your next film “The Spy”? Tell us something about this film.

We will start working this year hopefully. We are done with writing the script and we hope to finish the remaining work very soon.  The audience will witness numerous stars in this film, including us as a couple. The movie will also emphasize on production quality as always, making sure that this movie surpasses all our previous attempts to be the best.
Narrated by Syed Ahnaf Sadeed
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Dhaka terror-struck

In an unprecedented turn of events last night, gunmen held hostage dozens of people inside a popular hangout for foreigners in the capital's diplomatic zone of Gulshan, and fought a fierce gunbattle with law enforcers, killing at least two policemen and injuring around two dozens.
The hostage crisis, the first-ever such incident in the country, began around 8:30pm after seven to eight men carrying firearms, bombs and swords stormed into Holey Artisan Bakery, a favourite haunt for foreigners, in the posh neighbourhood.
Global terror outfit Islamic State claimed credit for the attack, said the Site Intelligence Group, citing Amaq News Agency of the IS. The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the site's statement.The gunmen exchanged shots with law enforcers and blasted bombs, sending a wave of panic in the high-security area.
The US State Department said it appears to be a hostage situation, and the White House said US President Barack Obama was following the situation, reports AFP.
The incident prompted the US, the UK and Australia to issue travel alert for their citizens living in Bangladesh.
Holey Artisan Bakery and another restaurant, O Kitchen, are housed on the ground and first floors of the same building, by the Gulshan lake, on Road 79 in Gulshan.
Talking to The Daily Star, Sumon Reza, supervisor of O Kitchen Restaurant, said he saw seven to eight armed men aged between 20 and 28 inside the restaurant.
"Two of them had arms in their hands while another one was carrying a sword," said Sumon, who managed to escape the restaurant through the roof.
At that time, around 20 foreigners and seven to eight Bangladeshis were having dinner, he said, adding that around 40 staffs were at work.
"The gunmen fired blank shots and detonated several crude bombs causing huge panic among those in the restaurant. Some of the diners ducked under the table and some lay on the floor," he said.
"They shouted Allah-hu Akbar before blasting bombs,” he said.
After some time, they held the main chef hostage and fired a shot that grazed his face, leaving him slightly injured.
Amid this confusion, around seven to eight of the restaurant staffs went to the roof and managed to escape.
Residents of the area said they heard sounds of gunshots and screams of people from inside the restaurant.
Rabiul Islam, assistant commissioner of the Detective Branch of Police, and Salauddin Khan, officer-in-charge of Banani Police Station, who were fatally wounded during the fight with the attackers, died at the United Hospital.
A photojournalist of The Daily Star, who was present there, saw that after OC Salauddin came to the spot, he was asked by some of his colleagues not to cross the cordon               as he was not wearing a bullet-proof vest.
Banani police Officer-in-Charge Salauddin Khan, who was injured during the gunfire exchange at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan 2 of Dhaka, is declared dead. Photo: Courtesy
But the police officer ignored the warning and crossed the line. Then there was a loud bang. Moments later, several law enforcers were seen carrying the OC away from the scene. He had blood all over his body.
Around 11:15pm, Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed arrived at the scene, and said, "We are primarily trying to establish contacts with the attackers, who are holding hostage clients. We have to try to save every hostage… Every life is precious."
Robiul Islam, assistant commissioner of Uttara zone Detective Branch, who is killed in the face-off at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan 2. Photo: Courtesy
He urged the media not to broadcast the incident live.
"Live broadcast may hamper the operations and endanger public security,” he told the journalists present there.

REACTIONS

The attack comes amid a series of secret killings carried out by suspected militants across the country.
Over the last two years or so, suspected militants have attacked and killed university professors, writers, publishers, secular bloggers, gay rights activists, foreigners, policemen and members of religious minorities, including Shia and Sufi Muslims, Christians and Hindus.
After the Gulshan attack, foreign diplomatic sources said they are worried because their citizens and diplomats living in Dhaka never guessed any such high voltage situation in Bangladesh.
In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters: "We are aware of reports of what appears to a hostage situation in the Gulshan neighborhood of Dhaka."
He said the department is aware that local security forces are on the scene, responding, and the US Embassy is in constant touch with Bangladeshi authorities concerning what is a "very fluid, very live situation."
Kirby said the embassy has accounted for 100 percent of American citizens that are under the authority of the diplomatic chief of mission in Dhaka. He said he had no more details.
He said it was too early to say who was involved in the assault and their motivation
In an abrupt decision, the US, UK and Australian governments issued travel alert for their citizens staying in Dhaka asking them to maintain high degree caution in Bangladesh due to the high threat.
The British government said, “There are reports of a firearms incident in the Gulshan 2 area of Dhaka. The incident may be ongoing. If you are in the area you should remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local security authorities.”
The US Embassy in its facebook and twitter message said at 11:00pm said “There are reports of a shooting and hostage situation in Gulshan 2, Dhaka. Please shelter in place and monitor the news.”
The Australian government told its citizens “If you are in the area, remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities. The level of advice has not changed. You should exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh.”
“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh due to the high threat of terrorist attack and the uncertain political situation. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times. Monitor the media and other sources about possible security risks.
There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian and Western interests in Bangladesh,” the Australian travel advice said.

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