IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 23, Issue 2, Ver. 10 (February. 2018) PP 16-24 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2302101624 www.iosrjournals.org 16 | Page The Dhaka Attack: Lessons for Bangladesh Md. Sohel Rana Lecturer, Department of International Relations, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dhaka, Bangladesh Abstract: The horrific terror attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Bangladesh’s capital on 1 July 2016 by a group of religious extremists has instilled an instrument of fear across the country. Although a list of militant attacks took place in the country since the late 1990s, the Dhaka attack bore new significance at least three key reasons. Firstly, it was the country’s first ever hostage crisis which lasted for 12 long hours and caused the tragic death of 29 people including 18 foreigners. Secondly, the café attack proved the Islamic State’s links in Bangladesh which the government had been denying for over a year. Finally, it has highlighted significant gaps in the country’s counterterrorism strategy which needed to be addressed. In this context, the paper investigates the operational and tactical features of the attack displayed by the terrorists as well as evaluates the counterterrorism responses of the Bangladeshi security forces. It also derives lessons learned from the attack and the Bangladeshi response. The author has used both primary and secondary data to write this paper. It has significant policy implications that might be helpful to counterterrorism bodies in Bangladesh and elsewhere in preparing for or countering future terrorist attacks. Key Words: Dhaka, Islamic State, Neo-JMB, Islamic militancy, counterterrorism. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 12-02-2018 Date of acceptance: 26-02-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION The 1 st July 2016 extremists’ attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery at Dhaka, some referred as the ‘Bangladesh’s version of 9/11’, has been considered one of the most heinous terror attacks in the recent memories of Bangladesh. It is not the country’s first coordinated terror attack committed by Islamic militants. Previously, the nationwide coordinated bomb blasts in 63 districts out of 64 on 17 August 2005 not only highlighted the organizational capabilities of these militants, but also shocked the entire nation. [1] Notwithstanding, this Artisan attack has brought some significant aspects to light, namely the nature and target groups of the attack, the profile of the attackers, the involvement of the Islamic State (IS) and gaps in the country’s counterterrorism strategy. The brutal terror attack which led a 12 hours long hostage crisis ended with heart-breaking casualties of foreigners, civilians and law enforcers. Why the terrorists targeted Dhaka’s Holey Artisan restaurant? The restaurant is located at the capital’s Gulshan area which is a diplomatic enclave of Bangladesh. A total 28 embassies and high commissions, and a number of international organizations’ headquarters are located in that zone which is the city’s richest, luxurious and secured area. It is a symbol of aristocratic Bangladesh filled with foreigners and local elites. The area’s Holey Artisan Bakery was an attractive site for the masterminds of the attack mainly for two reasons. First, it has strategic significance for the Islamist terrorists as it is located within two kilometers of over dozens diplomatic consulates. Second, it was a very popular restaurant among the foreigners who were regular customers of the place. The main purpose of the Holey Artisan attackers was to kill foreigners and guarantee international media coverage. The Holey Artisan restaurant serves as an ideal venue for achieving that purpose. The attacks on the foreigners beside the foreign consulates guaranteed international media coverage which would inevitably result in travel to Bangladesh being cancelled or postponed with consequent damage to Bangladesh’s rising economy. As a matter of fact, it happened since the international media covered the stories all over the world. And many countries namely USA, UK, Australia, and Denmark have already alarmed their citizens on travelling to Bangladesh hurting the country’s economy. [2] Evidence suggests that the motive of the extremists to kill the foreigners was part of the global jihadist movement. The Syria-based global jihadi extremist group, the Islamic State, claimed the responsibility of the café attack. According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2017, the Islamic State was the world’s deadliest terrorist group in 2016, responsible for killing over 9000 people in the year alone. [3] With the vision to establish a global ‘Caliphate’ rule in 2014, it has declared a global jihad against the infidels and consequently conducted or inspired more than 140 attacks in 29 countries. [4] In line with the Islamic State’s global jihad, the banned militant group ‘Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)’, sometimes named as neo-JMB, which is a