Dhaka:  A video message has been released commending the executors of the deadly attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery café in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, and threatening more operations to come in Bangladesh.

The SITE Intelligence Group, an US-based group which studies terrorist activities, released grab of the video message, claimed the video was released by Bangladeshi Islamic State (IS) fighters in ar-Raqqah, Syria.

SITE Intelligence Group also tweeted the development quoting the middle-east terrorist outfit affiliated news agency Amaq news.

In the video, three speakers, believed to be of Bangladesh origin, delivered their messages in Bangla.

Viewers also found IS flag on the top right corner of the video, which also contains sub-titles on Bangla and Arabic.

One of the young speakers, addressing Bangladesh government, questioned the ‘democratic’ system and termed democracy a Shirk or unforgivable crime.

He said they would not stop until establishing Shariah law all over the world.

In the 4:02 minutes video, the man also addressed the Christian, Jews, and Crusaders in English.

Mentioning Sheikh Adnani, the first speaker said the Crusaders can never win the battle.
He said, ‘we will fight till the end, either we will win, we get victory, or we will get Shahadat (martyrdom), so there is nothing to lose for us here.’

He said to the Crusaders what they witnessed in Bangladesh was just a glimpse. This will be repeated until they (the Crusaders) lose, and they win.

The second speaker, who hides his face with a scarf, said crusaders are killing innocent Muslims all over the world. So, it is their religious duty to fight against them.

He said the attack on Gulshan restaurant was revenge to the lost blood of Muslims across the world. He said his mujahidin brothers will kill the Crusaders wherever they found them.

The other speaker praising the Holey Artisan attack said his Khilafat brothers have made a history through the assault. He also urged Muslim brothers and sisters to join their jihad.

Earlier on 1 July evening, seven gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery and opened fire and took around 40 people, including restaurant staff and guests — both locals and foreigners—hostage.

Twenty hostages—nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi-born American and two Bangladeshis — were killed in the terror attack at the restaurant.

Besides, two senior police officers — Banani Police Station officer-in-charge Salauddin Ahmed Khan and Detective Branch assistant commissioner Robiul Islam — were killed as they tried to rescue the hostages.

Thirteen people, including three foreigners, were rescued while 20 bodies of the hostages were recovered from the restaurant after a successful operation codenamed ‘Thunderbolt’.

Six of the seven gunmen were killed and one suspected militant was arrested during the drive.