Bangladesh Police chief says Gulshan cafe, Sholakia attackers from JMB

The chief of Bangladesh police has said members of the Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh carried out the attack on the Gulshan cafe and a police check-post at Sholakia.

Kishoreganj Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 9 July 2016, 01:45 PM
Updated : 31 July 2016, 07:55 PM

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shahidul Hoque visited the prayer ground in Kishoreganj on Saturday that hosts the largest congregation of Eid prayers in Bangladesh.  

Tens of thousands had gathered to pray on Eid day, when explosions hit a nearby check-post, killing two policemen.   

A Hindu woman died during the shootout that followed the blasts. One of the attackers died in the gunfight. 

The Eid day attack came less than a week after gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery and O’Kitchen to kill 20 hostages during an overnight siege before being shot dead by commandos the next day. 

The Islamic State claimed responsibility within hours of the attack, reported SITE intelligence, but IGP Hoque rubbished the assertion. 

He blamed the JMB, banned more than a decade ago, for the Sholakia attack. No group has taken responsibility for it. 

“They had come here to kill devotees at the Eidgah. They failed to get to the ground and attacked the police instead.” 
“The five killed gunmen in the commando raid on the Gulshan cafe were members we were looking for.” 
“Those who we detained from Sholakia have told us they had links to the attackers in Gulshan,” the IGP said. 
“The IS has been claiming attacks everywhere. We are investigating their motives for claiming responsibility and the medium they use.” 
IGP Hoque visited the hut where Jharna Rani Bhoumik died, after a stray bullet penetrated her dwelling and hit her head.