Envoys of various countries to Bangladesh have paid tribute to those killed in the militant attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in the city’s Gulshan on July 1 in 2016 and renewed their commitment to fight religious extremism and terrorism.

On July 1, 2016, five militants, armed with guns, machetes, and grenades, stormed the upscale eatery in the diplomatic zone in Gulshan and held the diner hostage before brutally killing 20 of them — three Bangladeshis, seven Japanese, nine Italians, and one Indian.

After paying tribute with floral garlands at a memorial close to the upscale restaurant in Gulshan, they prayed for the departed souls.

“Today is the day of mourning and commemorating the victims of the Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack. Honored to lay wreaths with @italyinbd, @USAmbBangladesh and @VDoraiswami,” tweeted Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Naoki Ito.

“Those Japanese experts were engaged in F/S of Dhaka Metro Line 1, which starts construction work next year,” he said.

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Enrico Nunziata, said, “…We renew our commitment to fight against religious extremism and terrorism,” he tweeted for the victims of 1 July 2016 terrorist attack in Dhaka.

US Ambassador Earl R Miller said he was honored to join other ambassadors on this solemn occasion to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack.

“The precious lives tragically lost will remain in our hearts today and always.”

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Vikram Doraiswami, and European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh, Rensje Teerink, among others, also paid tribute to memories of the deceased.