Govt thanks foreign friends for support after Gulshan attack

State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam today expressed Bangladesh's gratitude to individuals, foreign countries and governments for standing beside Bangladesh during its 'difficult one year' since the July 1 Gulshan café attack.

"We're grateful to the people and governments who stood by Bangladesh during a difficult last one year," he said.

The State Minister specially mentioned countries like Italy, Japan, India, the United States and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for standing beside Bangladesh.

A group of young 'misguided' people with sophisticated arms stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery at the capital's Gulshan diplomatic zone on July 1 last year killing 20 hostages, mostly foreign nationals, including Italian and Japanese. Two police officials were also killed during the 12-hour hostage standoff.

Shahriar said the government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been able to combat militancy to a large extent with support from all. "We've more to do."

"We remember those who lost their lives in Holey Artisan Bakery with deep respect and convey deep sympathy to their families and governments of their countries," the state minister said in a post on his official Facebook page.

He thanked law enforcement agencies for their efforts and remembered those who sacrificed their lives during anti-militant drives in the country.

The State Minister also tweeted remembering the victims of Holey Artisan Bakery who were killed in the deadliest terrorist attack in Bangladesh.