Hostage crisis in Dhaka diplomatic area restaurant

A group of eight to ten gunmen attacked a restaurant popular with foreigners in the diplomatic zone of Dhaka on Friday night, taking hostages and exchanging gunfire with security forces. According to unconfirmed reports, two diplomats and a police official have been killed. The Daily Star, a Bangladesh newspaper, reported that at least 30 people, including policemen have been injured.

MEA said Indian high commission diplomats are reportedly safe. Benjir Ahmed, D-G of the elite Rapid Action Battalion, said several foreigners are among the hostages at the restaurant in Gulshan area.

Local TV stations said the attackers’ identities were not immediately known. A huge contingent of security guards cordoned off the area, trading gunfire with the attackers who reportedly set off bombs. There were reports of intermittent firing by the gunmen shouting “Allahu Akbar” from inside the Holey Artisan Bakery.

Sumon Reza, a kitchen staffer who escaped, said the attackers were carrying firearms, swords and bombs as they entered the restaurant around 9.20 pm and took customers and staffers hostage.

Gen. Ahmed said, “Some derailed youths have launched the attack... We are trying to talk to them about what they want.” He would not say how many people were trapped inside.