We knew everything about Gulshan, Sholakia attacks: B'desh Home Minister

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has claimed that the police and his ministry had information on the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks beforehand.

Kamal while speaking at a discussion in Dhaka on Sunday said that the government had intelligence that "something might happen in Gulshan" and had made "all kinds of preparations for it," reports the Dhaka Tribune.

"We know who is behind this and who supported them," he claimed.

Kamal said the police reached the spot of Gulshan attack on July 1 within minutes because of their "preparation."

The deadly attack killed 20 people, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi American and two Bangladeshis at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, Dhaka after assailants stormed the cafe and took people hostage.

The 12-hour-long hostage crisis at the cafe ended after a two-hour long assault by armed forces' commandos killing six gunmen.

The Sholakia attack came days after when three suspected assailants attacked the Eidgah where thousands had gathered to offer Eid prayers.