Militants killed 20 people, mostly with sharp weapons, shortly after taking hostage a number of diners at a café in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone last evening, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Bangladesh.
Brig Gen Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury, director of military operations, briefing the media at Dhaka Photo: TV grab
AMN
The Army led commando operation to rescue the hostages held by terrorists in a Dhaka restaurant is over. Joint security force led by army recovered 20 bodies during a search on the compound of the Spanish restaurant, Holey Artisan Bakery after the operation was launched, Brig Gen Nayeem.
Brig Gen Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury, told at press conference. “Most of the victims were killed brutally with sharp weapons,” he added.
Autopsies of the deceased will be conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) following existing norms, the army official said.
For details and to ascertain identity of the deceased, people have been told to contact army provost martial of Bangladesh Army over a hotline +88-0176-9012524.
Members of army, navy, air force, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action battalion and police took part in the over an hour operation starting at 7:40am, Brig Gen Nayeem.
Two Sri Lankans and a Japanese were among the 13 hostages rescued in the operation.
Security forces have rescued 13 hostages. The encounter between Bangladesh commandos and the gunmen has left two police personnel and six gunmen dead. Over 25 people are reported to have been injured.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has praised the efforts of security forces in neutralising the terrorists. She also claimed a terrorist has been captures alive.
“I congratulate our first para commando battalion for conducting a successful operation in Holey Artisan Bakery to free the hostages from the armed militants inside the restaurant,” she said.
The responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the Islamic State. In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup has last night said that all staff of the Indian High Commission were safe.