Twenty people have been killed after gunmen took dozens of hostages during a 10-hour siege at a restaurant in Dhaka.

“Most of (the hostages) were killed mercilessly by sharp weapons,” Army Brigadier General Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury said.

Another army officer,  Lieutenant Shahab Uddin, told AFP: “All 20 of the hostages who were killed were foreigners.

“Most of them were Italian or Japanese.”

It is thought that eight or nine attackers stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in the Bangladeshi capital’s diplomatic zone on Friday.

One kitchen staffer said the attackers were armed with guns and bombs, entering the building at around 9.20pm local time and taking customers and staff hostage.

A massive firefight erupted outside the bakery, which is located in the Gulshan area of the capital.

Six gunmen were killed and 13 hostages rescued.

Two officers were also killed as police approached the restaurant during an initial attempt to break the siege.

One Japanese and two Sri Lankans were among those brought to safety.

Earlier, Japan said one of its citizens had been shot and wounded.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said seven other Japanese citizens had been eating together at the restaurant, but officials had been unable to contact them.

Italian media has reported that seven Italians were in the restaurant when the attack began.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, said one of the militants had been arrested.

“Because of the effort of the joint force, the terrorists could not flee,” she said.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

The Amaq news agency, which is affiliated to IS, posted pictures said to show hostages’ bodies, but the images’ authenticity could not be confirmed.

“Anyone who believes in religion cannot do such act,” Sheikh Hasina said.

“They do not have any religion. Their only religion is terrorism.”

Authorities in Dhaka said 25 police officers and one civilian were being treated for injuries, including 10 in a critical condition.

Injuries included bullet wounds and broken bones.

The restaurant is located near a small hospital as well as the Nordic Club, a private members’ club popular with expats.

There has been a string of recent attacks on religious minorities and secular activists by suspected Islamist militants in Bangladesh.

Earlier on Friday, a Hindu temple worker was hacked to death in southwest Bangladesh by three assailants.

 

source:skynews