Bangladesh Kills Four Islamic Militants Blamed For Cafe Attack

Policemen sneak a look inside the Holey Artisan Bakery and the O'Kitchen Restaurant as others inspect the site after gunmen attacked, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on July 1, 2016. Reuters

Bangladesh's security forces killed four members of a Islamist militant group on Saturday blamed for on attack on a cafe in Dhaka in July in which 22 people were killed, mostly foreigners.

The four militants, believed to be members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, were killed in two raids by Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on militant hideouts on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka, RAB spokesman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiya said.

The July 1 attack in Dhaka's diplomatic quarter was claimed by the Islamic State militant group and was one of the most brazen in Bangladesh, which has been hit by a spate of killings of liberals and members of religious minorities in the past year.

The government has blamed domestic militant groups but security experts say the scale and sophistication of the July attack suggested links to a trans-national Islamist network.

Police have killed more than two dozen suspected militants in shootouts since the Dhaka cafe attack, including its presumed mastermind, Bangladesh-born Canadian citizen Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury.

The United States believes elements of Islamic State are "connected" to operatives in Bangladesh, US Secretary of State John Kerry said during a visit to Dhaka in August.

Nine Italians, seven Japanese, an American and an Indian were among those killed in the July attack.

News
Trump forms Religious Liberty Commission to address 'emerging threats' First Amendment rights
Trump forms Religious Liberty Commission to address 'emerging threats' First Amendment rights

In a new executive action, President Donald Trump has established a new Religious Liberty Commission to bolster protections against “emerging threats” to the US’s longstanding tradition of faith-based freedoms. 

Leviticus: the joyful middle book of the Torah
Leviticus: the joyful middle book of the Torah

Hebrew scholar and Jewish academic Irene Lancaster reflects on Leviticus, holiness and loving your neighbour. 

'The Light He Left Behind': Martin Scorsese unveils new documentary featuring final interview with Pope Francis
'The Light He Left Behind': Martin Scorsese unveils new documentary featuring final interview with Pope Francis

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese has announced a forthcoming documentary that will showcase the final on-camera interview with the late Pope Francis, capturing the pontiff’s enduring message of compassion, creativity, and cross-cultural dialogue.

5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV
5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Prevost’s ascension to the papacy is his background.