Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today vowed to root out terrorism from the country after Islamic State terrorists laid siege to a Dhaka café.
In an address to the nation after the end of the 12-hour-long overnight siege at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan area in the diplomatic zone, Hasina said her government would not allow any terrorist activity in Bangladesh.
She also lauded the country's First Para Battalion, Army, Navy and Air Force for the "successful operation" against the Islamic State terrorists who attacked the cafe late on Friday.
“I congratulate the forces for the successful operation against the terrorists,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “We could save 13 lives, but lost a few. Six terrorists were neutralised and one was captured alive.”
"Our law enforcement agencies responded promptly soon after the terrorists raided the restaurant...as they were about to take action, two police officers were killed by the terrorists," the PM said.
She also said that no devout Muslim can kill innocent people.
“In this holy month of Ramadan, how could they kill people,” Hasina said. “What sort of Muslims are they,” she asked.
Last night, terrorists shouting "Allahu Akbar" barged into the Holey Artisan Bakery, frequented by diplomats and expatriates, and opened indiscriminate fire at around 9:20 PM (local time). The military-led rescue operation today was launched jointly by a navy commando squad, paramilitary BGB, elite anti-crime RAB along with special police units.
