Dhaka attack: All Indian diplomats in Dhaka safe, says MEA

New Delhi/Dhaka, July 1: All Indian High Commission officials are reported to be safe and the Indian High Commission is monitoring the situation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday night amid reports of a hostage situation in Dhaka where gunmen have taken 20 people hostage.

A number of gunmen, said to be five to six, attacked a restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital late Friday and may have taken hostages, according to police and witness reports.

There were "reports of shooting and hostage situation", the US embassy in Bangladesh has tweeted.

At least four injured police officials were seen being transported from the spot after police exchanged fire with the gunmen who attacked the restaurant popular with foreigners.

It was being suspected that a hostage situation has developed at the restaurant, known as the Holy Artisan Bakery.

Meanwhile, author Taslima Nasreen claimed that gunmen shouted Allah-o-Akbar before they opened fire and also claims there's one Indian woman among hostages.

IANS