9 years of Holey Artisan attack today

Today marks nine years since the devastating terrorist attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, a tragedy that remains one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh’s modern history.

On the night of July 1, 2016, five armed militants stormed the upscale café and opened fire indiscriminately, killing 22 people — including 18 foreign nationals. The victims included nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, and three Bangladeshis, one of whom held dual citizenship. Two police officers were also killed in the line of duty, and many others were injured.

The attack began around 8:45 PM, when gunfire was reported at the bakery on Road 79 in Gulshan. The militants, identified as members of the banned extremist group Neo-JMB, took hostages and executed a carefully planned siege that lasted throughout the night.

Banani Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Mohammad Salauddin, was critically wounded in the initial exchange of gunfire and died shortly after, around 11:15 PM. Efforts to negotiate with the attackers failed as the crisis deepened overnight.

At 7:45 AM the following morning, on July 2, a joint military operation — codenamed “Operation Thunderbolt” — was launched by a special commando unit. After a tense 12-hour standoff, the commandos stormed the building, rescuing 13 hostages and killing all five attackers.

The deceased militants were later identified as Mir Samih Mobasher, Rohan Ibn Imtiaz (Mamun), Nibras Islam, Khairul Islam Payel, and Shafiqul Islam Uzzal. The Islamic State (ISIS) later claimed responsibility for the attack, describing the perpetrators as their “soldiers.” However, Bangladeshi authorities have consistently denied the presence of ISIS within the country.

The Holey Artisan attack triggered a nationwide crackdown on militancy, with security forces intensifying operations against extremist groups and increasing surveillance and intelligence efforts.

As the country observes this solemn anniversary, the memories of that horrific night remain vivid. Families of the victims, along with citizens and officials, continue to honor the lives lost and reaffirm the nation’s resolve to stand united against terrorism.