Dhaka: Faraz Ayaz Hossain, the student at Emory University in the US, who was among the 20 people killed in the terrifying attack by terrorists at a Dhaka restaurant, has been hailed as a hero across the globe for his exemplary show of courage in the face of terror.
In a strange turn of events, the student who has been hailed as a hero has now fallen under the shadow of suspicion. A startling revelation in a report by Bangladesh-based journal Dailyniropekkha in Bangla claims that Faraz was no hero and was actually involved in the militant attack that claimed 20 innocent lives.
The journal claims that Faraz was well-acquainted with Nibras Islam, son of M Nazrul Islam, a mid-ranking leader of Awami League, the ruling party of Bangladesh. Nibras has been identified as among at least six gunmen who attacked an upscale restaurant in his hometown Dhaka and brutally murdered 20 people, most of them foreigners.
The journal has also published photographs that show Faraz dining with Nibras.
Reports following the ghastly attack said that Faraz was given an opportunity to leave by the militants but he refused to do so as his two female friends, dressed in western outfit, were not allowed to leave. He was among the 20 hostages who were killed in the attack.
One of these two friends happened to be Tarishi Jain, the Indian girl who lost her life in the gruesome attack, and the other was Abinta Kabir. All three were enrolled at US universities and have been reported to be friends.
To drive home the point, the journal had first published a video which is said to carry footage of the cafe where the attack took place. It shows a man standing in front of a glass door who bears similarity to Faraz's appearance.
The man seen on video is dressed in a black t-shirt and can be seen holding a gun and walking. He also takes a peek outside a glass door as if to to check on something.
The similarity in appearance and claims of Faraz being part of the group that carried out the attack goes contrary to the claims of his family members.
Hishaam Hossain, a nephew of Faraz, told The New York Times that the terrorists had released a group of women wearing hijabs. Faraz was also offered the chance to leave the café along with them. However, when the two women accompanying him in Western outfits were refused an exit, Faraz chose to stay behind.
When Bangladeshi army commandos stormed into the bakery and ended the 10-hour-long siege after killing six of the seven suspected ISIS militants, all three American universities’ students were found dead. The commandos managed to rescue 13 hostages.
The suspected ISIS militants tortured and killed the hostages who were unable to recite from the Quran, whereas they left those who could do so.
