Bangladesh commandos have launched a fierce assault on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone of Gulshan early on Saturday to free the hostages holed up there since Friday night.
12 hostages have been freed, 5 terrorists killed and one captured by the security forces, an official of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) told LOOKEAST. But he was not willing to be named.
“Heavy fighting is on inside the restaurant, but we have already freed twelve hostages,” the official said.
The Islamic State of Bangladesh, an ISIS affiliate, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two police officials, one OC Salauddin and a Detective Branch assistant commissioner Robiul Islam were killed while police confronted the militants last night.
Both succumbed to their gunshot wounds sustained during the first encounter.
There are several foreigners among the hostages — Italian diplomats say there are seven Italians while an Indian high commission source said there were ‘some Indians’ among the hostages.
The Spanish bakery is popular with foreigners living in the diplomatic zone.
Video feed: RT
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