Source of arms in Dhaka attack traced: IGP

Police claim to have traced the source of the weapons used by Gulshan restaurant attackers on July 1 and are trying to arrest its suppliers.

“We have been able to trace the source of the weapons. We are trying to arrest those who supplied the weapons,” Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque told reporters after a programme in Dhaka today.

The Bangladesh police chief also underlined the need for “help of the general people” in bringing the masterminds of the 12-hour bloody Gulshan carnage to book.

Gunmen, allegedly belonging to Islamic State, stormed Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone on July 1 and killed 20 hostages, mostly foreign nationals. Two police officials also died that night.

The government has said they have been successful in identifying the masterminds and instigators of the Dhaka attack and that their arrest was only “a matter of time”. IGP Shahidul echoed the statement yesterday.

Today, after attending a programme in Dhaka’s Mirpur, the police chief reiterated the need for a social movement against militancy and mentioned that lawmen have been able to identify individuals who are running militant groups in Bangladesh.

He also mentioned that educational institutions of the country are under vigilance as the militants identified behind some recent attacks including that at Holey Artisan were students.

The IGP also said they are yet to ascertain any “concrete” international link into the Dhaka attack.