Dhaka attack: 20 foreigners killed; 6 terrorists neutralised

Dhaka, July 2: Twenty foreigners were killed by the terrorists who stormed a restaurant in a diplomatic district in the Bangladeshi capital on Friday night (July 2) and taking its diners as the hostage---leading to a gun battle with the security forces. Two policemen were killed in the encounter before the forces neutralised all six attackers.

Sources in Bangladeshi Army said all the 20 hostages who were killed were foreigners and hailed mostly from Italy and Japan. [Bangladesh is sliding: After look and act, India needs a robust Defend East policy]

Thirteen hostages including three foreigners, were, however rescued by commandos after they took control of the restaurant in Gulshan district.

Two policemen were killed at the beginning of the seige as they took on the heavily armed militants.

The rescue operation was launched more than 10 hours after the militants took seize of the hostages.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack which followed a series of gruesome murders of religious minorities and liberal thinkers in the country.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the attack, saying it happened at a time when the country is doing good on various socio-economic fronts.

Oneindia News