Decision on 19 militants’ bodies after test reports: Cops

Decision on the bodies of 19 militants killed in Gulshan attack and Kalyanpur, Narayanganj and Mirpur raids will be finalised after receiving reports of various tests carried out on them. 

After receiving the reports, the authorities concerned will finalise the decision whether the bodies would be handed over to their families, said Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (media wing).

However, the families are yet to claim the bodies, the DMP official told journalists at DMP media centre.

"If any court gives us any instruction in this regard, we will comply with the orders," the DC said.

"We have collected samples of the bodies for DNA and other tests but are yet to receive the reports," he said.

Among 19, six were killed in Gulshan attacks, nine killed in Kalyanpur raid, three including Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, one of the masterminds of the Gulshan café attack, in Narayanganj raid, and one in Mirpur raid.

Yesterday, Dhaka Medical College (DMC) authorities urged DMP to take necessary steps to take back the bodies of 13 militants, who were killed in different operations in and outside the capital, from its mortuary as the morgue's normal activities are being hampered due to a dearth of space in it.

The bodies of five other militants and another man, who is believed to be a chef at the Holey Artisan Bakery, are still at Dhaka Combined Military Hospital. They were killed during the Operation Thunderbolt that ended an 11-hour hostage situation at the restaurant.