Today marks the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, Dhaka. Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro and other diplomats laid a wreath to honor the victims of the attack.

Twenty-nine people were killed in the worst terrorist attack in the country’s history. They include 20 hostages, of whom 17 were foreigners and 3 were Bangladeshis; two police officers, five gunmen, and two bakery staff were also killed.

The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The group posted photos of the victims and attackers. However, the Bangladesh government said a home-grown outfit was responsible for the attack.

In the morning of July 2, Bangladesh Army's elite 1st Para-Commando Battalion launched a counter-offensive assault codenamed 'Operation Thunderbolt'.

Since then, militancy in the country has been on the wane thanks to government-run anti-militancy drives and social awareness campaigns.