Bangladesh has paid tribute to the victims of a terror attack at cafe in capital Dhaka, which has left killed 20 people, most of them foreigners.
In a state ceremony on Monday, the second day of the two-day national mourning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the victims of Friday’s attack, the first hostage crisis Bangladesh has seen.
Hasina placed a floral wreath and stood in silence for a minute to honour the victims, after a wreath was placed on behalf of President Md Abdul Hamid, who is now in Bhutan on a state visit.
Bangabhaban official Commander M Minhaz Alam paid homage on behalf of the president.
After paying her respects, Hasina met relatives of the victims at the ceremony held at the Army Stadium in Dhaka.
Foreign diplomats paid homage after the prime minister left. The homage ceremony, which will last until 12pm, is open for all.
Holey Artisan Bakery and O’ Kitchen Restaurant at Dhaka’s upscale diplomatic heart of Gulshan, came under attack on Friday evening by gunmen who shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ while launching the assault.
The assailants took a number of hostages and killed two policemen, who had tried to end the siege.
Commandos stormed the eatery, which was popular among foreigners in Dhaka, on Saturday morning and rescued 13 hostages. The Army said six attackers had been killed and another caught alive during the rescue operation.
It also said 20 hostages were found dead on the premises. They included nine from Italy, seven from Japan, an Indian citizen and three Bangladeshis, one of whom was a US citizen.
Source: New Age
