Dhaka cafe hostage crisis ends, six terrorists killed

Bangladesh army sources said 13 hostages, including four foreigners, were rescued while six terrorists were shot dead. One terrorist was caught.

 

However, it was not immediately known what happened to the other hostages. 

 

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confirmed that 13 hostages were rescued as she commended the army for conducting the operation in just ten hours. 

 

"All security agencies did great job," she said, as she condemned the attackers for killing people during the Ramzan. 

 

The restaurant Holey Artisan Bakery where the hostage drama occurred is located in the Dhaka’s diplomatic zone Gulshan.

Security forces moved in around 7:30am and five hostages, including women and children, were freed minutes after the raid had begun, a witness told bdnews24.com.

According to reports, gunmen, who had stormed the restaurant on Friday night, had taken 20 people, including foreigners, as hostage.

Commandos and military personnel stormed the restaurant as heavy gunfire could be heard, reports said.

Militant group ISIS has taken responsibility for the attack.

The SITE Intelligence Group tweeted: "#ISIS' 'Amaq News Agency reported that #ISIS fighters carried out the attack at a restaurant in #Dhaka #Bangladesh."

"'Amaq update: over 20 people of different nationalities have been killed in the #ISIS attack in #Dhaka #Bangladesh," read another tweet.

Bangladeshi officials or media have not confirmed the death toll as posted by SITE quoting Amaq.