'IS releases' new video of Gulshan attackers

The SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based organisation that monitors terrorist activities, last night said the Islamic State released a video from Bangladesh for the first time about the Holey Artisan attackers.

“IS Releases First Video from Bangladesh, Focuses on Dhaka Attackers,” read a tweet posted minutes before midnight.

About five hours before that post, the Group in another tweet said: “#ISIS promoted forthcoming vid from #Bangladesh, marking 1st production from the group's division there. Appears to focus on #Dhaka attack.”

The five attackers -- Nibras Islam, Rohan Imtiaz, Meer Mubasheer, Khairul Islam Payel and Shafiqul Islam Uzzal -- stormed the Holey Artisan restaurant in Gulshan on July 1 and killed 20 hostages, 17 of them foreigners. They were later killed in an army operation.

In the video, in which they appear to have spoken before the attack, they are heard threatening that they would target anyone who they call the “enemies of Islam”.  

Contacted, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said it wasn't possible to comment on the matter immediately.