Gulshan attackers members of local militant outfits: home minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today said the Gulshan cafe attackers were members of different banned and local militant outfits.

According to their confirmed identities, all the militants are Bangladeshi citizens, the home minister told journalists at a press briefing regarding the militant attack at Holey Artisan bakery in Gulshan of Dhaka which claimed 22 lives last Friday.

The government is firm in its stance on stop militant activities in the country, he said while speaking to journalist this evening.

Necessary assistance from neighbouring and friendly countires will be taken in this regard, the minister added.

READ HERE: IS claims Gulshan attack: Report 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam in his speech said diplomatic and economic relations with Japan and Italy will not be damaged.

Yesterday the nation paid tribute to the victims of the Holey Artisan Bakery tragedy on the second day of the national mourning.

On July 1, gunmen stormed the cafe and took guests and employees hostage. Twenty bodies including nine Italians and seven Japanese nationals were recovered from the crime scene on the following day as the crisis ended after a 50-minute army-led joint forces operation codenamed Operation Thunderbolt. Two policemen and six militants were also killed.