Two police officers and six militants killed in 12-hour siege
An attack on a cafe in Dhaka has left 28 people dead, including 20 hostages, most of whom were killed with sharp weapons, the Bangladesh army said.
Brig General Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury told a news conference on Saturday that six militants and two police officers were also killed, and 13 people were rescued.
The prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, said one of the gunmen had been captured alive in the dawn raid.
More than 100 Bangladeshi commandos stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in the diplomatic quarter of the capital early on Saturday after the 12-hour siege began on Friday night.
“The terrorists killed the civilians last night. We have recovered huge cache of IED explosives and AK-22 assault rifles,” Chowdhury said.
The deceased had been moved to the Combined military hospital in Dhaka for postmortem examinations.
Lt Col Tuhin Mohammad Masud, the officer in charge of Bangladeshi commandos, said the rescued hostages included a Japanese citizen, who was injured, and two Sri Lankans. He said there were casualties among other hostages but did not provide details. Earlier reports had said seven Italians were among those taken hostage at the cafe, which is popular with foreigners.
A police officer at the scene said that when security forces tried to enter the premises at the beginning of the siege they were met with a hail of bullets and grenades.
Television footage showed a number of police being led away from the site with blood on their faces and clothes. Heavily armed officers were seen standing on the street: outside.
