Nation remembers Holey Artisan victims

Bangladesh on Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, the deadliest terrorist incident in the country’s history, with solemn tributes to the 22 victims and renewed reflection on how the tragedy ultimately strengthened ties with Japan.

Family members, friends and well-wishers in Bangladesh and abroad observed the anniversary through commemorative events and personal tributes to those who lost their lives in the attack on 1 July 2016.

Armed militants stormed the upscale Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s Gulshan diplomatic enclave, taking dozens of hostages and carrying out an attack that shocked the nation and the international community.

Twenty-two people were killed, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi-born American and two Bangladeshis. Two police officers also lost their lives during the attack.

A joint rescue operation led by the Bangladesh Army’s 1st Para-Commando Battalion ended the siege on the morning of 2 July. Thirteen hostages, including three foreign nationals, were rescued, while the bodies of 20 hostages were recovered from the restaurant. Five militants and one restaurant employee were killed during the operation, and one suspected militant was arrested.

A case was filed with Gulshan Police Station, and police submitted charges against eight suspects on 23 July 2018. The tribunal formally framed charges later that year, while 13 other individuals identified as being involved in the attack were killed in separate security operations.

The trial began on 3 December 2018 with witness testimony, and on 27 November 2019 a court sentenced seven militants to death for their roles in the attack.

The attack had a particularly profound impact on Japan, as seven of those killed were Japanese development professionals working on infrastructure projects supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Their deaths prompted national mourning in Japan and raised concerns about the safety of Japanese citizens working overseas. Although Tokyo temporarily reviewed its security arrangements and reassessed ongoing development programmes, it ultimately reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh.

In the aftermath of the attack, Bangladesh introduced a series of security reforms, including stronger intelligence coordination, enhanced surveillance, expanded counterterrorism operations and tighter security around diplomatic areas and major infrastructure projects. These measures were aimed at restoring confidence among foreign governments, investors and development partners.

Over the past decade, bilateral cooperation has continued to expand. Japan has remained one of Bangladesh’s largest development partners, financing major infrastructure projects including the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, the expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, as well as bridges, highways and energy projects.

Economic ties have also broadened beyond development assistance. The establishment of the Japanese Economic Zone in Araihazar has encouraged greater Japanese investment, while cooperation has expanded into trade, manufacturing, education, healthcare, disaster management, climate resilience, renewable energy, digital technology and human resource development. Increasing numbers of Bangladeshi students are studying in Japan, and more skilled Bangladeshi workers are contributing to Japan’s labour market.

As Bangladesh commemorates the victims of the Holey Artisan attack, the anniversary also serves as a reminder that the tragedy, while leaving deep scars, did not derail relations between the two countries. Instead, it reinforced mutual trust, strengthened security cooperation and laid the foundation for a broader strategic partnership built on shared development goals and resilience.