PM pays homage to Dhaka cafe attack victims

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid her homage to the victims of the Gulshan cafe attack at Army Stadium in Dhaka’s Banani area this morning.

On the second day of the national mourning over the incident, premier Hasina placed floral wreath at the casket of the victims around 10:00am.

Afterwards, it was opened to the relatives and general public for paying their tributes. It will be open for all until noon. Through the process, PM Hasina handed over the bodies to the relatives.

The caskets were placed in a raised platform which bored the flags of India, Italy, Bangladesh, Japan and the United States – commemorating the nationalities of the foreigners killed.

Braving a drizzle that was on since last night, relatives and friends of the victims and people from all walks of life poured in to pay their last tribute at scene. Envoys of India, Italy, US and Japan also paid their respects at the caskets.

The caskets of three Bangladeshis were taken to the Army Stadium. The rest, of foreign nationals, were kept at Combined Military Hospital, officials inside the military said.

Body of the Indian national was taken away by relatives this morning. Bodies of nine Italians were being handed over around noon. The bodies of seven Japanese will be handed over this evening.

Ambulances were kept stationed nearby to carry the caskets.

Twenty hostages, mostly foreign nationals, were killed when a group of militants stormed in with guns and swords in the Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1.

After a nearly 12-hour long siege, the hostage crisis ended with a death toll of 28. Apart from the casualties of two police officers, law enforcers said six militants were killed.

Bangladesh is observing a two-day national mourning over the incident.