Five Bangladeshis rescued unharmed in the first few minutes of the operation; more than 100 commandos fighting to free hostages.
Unidentified attackers traded gunfire with police on Friday night near the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in high-security Gulshan diplomatic area in the Bangladesh capital. At least 20 civilians, including foreigners, are believed to be held hostage.
At a glance:
| The hostage crisis has been going on since 9.30 pm on Friday night. |
| Cafe in high-security Gulshan attacked by group of gunmen, heavy gunfire exchanged with police. |
| Two police officers dead and 30 injured. |
| Television channels have stopped live broadcasts from scene. |
| Gulshan is one of the most highly guarded areas of Dhaka as many foreign missions are located in the area. |
Live updates
8.20 am: 10 people, including two foreigners, are rescued from Dhaka restaurant, Reuters reports quoting a TV channel.
8.10 am: An AFP photographer at the scene said he could hear a massive gunfight as security forces launched the rescue operation more than 10 hours after militants seized the hostages.Five Bangladeshi hostages were rescued in the first few minutes of the operation, a security official told AFP. "They are rescued unharmed," he said.
8.03 am: Bangladesh police say one foreigner, probably Japanese, escaped in operation to free hostages
7.51 am: Bangladesh police say more than 100 commandos fighting gunmen at Dhaka restaurant to free hostages, gunmen retaliating
7.41 am: Bangladesh police storm restaurant to rescue hostages
Bangladeshi police stormed a Dhaka restaurant on Saturday to free 20 hostages, including several foreigners, that were trapped inside after gunmen had launched an attack on the upscale eatery late on Friday night, an official said.
“Our commandos have stormed into the restaurant. Intense gunfighting on,” Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, a deputy director at the Rapid Action Battalion force, told Reuters.
4.00 am: Seven Italian nationals among hostages, Italian state television said quoting the Italian ambassador to Bangladesh.
3.35 am: "Deeply saddened to know that Assistant Commissioner of Police Robiul Islam has been also killed in the exchange of gunfire at the Holey Artisan. He was a meritorious student of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Jahangirnagar University," wrote Shahab Enam Khan, a commentator on politics and diplomacy, on Facebook.
THE HINDU.COM says
Security Forces Storm Bangladesh Restaurant Where Hostages Being Held
Bangladeshi police stormed Dhaka restaurant where hostages are being held, eight to ten hostages were rescued.
Bangladeshi security forces stormed Dhaka restaurant where hostages were being held, Reuters reports, citing the police.
"Our commandos have stormed into the restaurant. Intense gunfighting on," Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, the deputy director at the Rapid Action Battalion force was quoted as saying.
Local media reported several rounds of gunfire and two blasts in the area.
Bangladeshi police said that more than 100 commandos were involved in the operation. Eight to ten hostages have been rescued from the restaurant, according to the police.
© AP PHOTO/
Japanese Gov't Suspects Nationals Among Hostages in Bangladeshi Capital
On Friday, Daesh terrorist group outlawed in Russia reportedly claimed responsibility for hostage taking inside the cafe located in Dhaka's diplomatic quarter, which also reportedly left up to 40 people injured and two police officers dead.
Earlier it has been reported that Japaneze or Italian citizens were likely among the hostages.
According to the Japanese foreign minister, a group of experts representing the center on countering international terrorism established in December at the country's foreign ministry has already headed for Bangladesh.
Earlier it has been reported that Japaneze or Italian citizens were likely among the hostages.
According to the Japanese foreign minister, a group of experts representing the center on countering international terrorism established in December at the country's foreign ministry has already headed for Bangladesh.
