Dhaka attack: Sole Japanese survivor hid in cafe's garden

Tokyo, July 14: A Japanese who survived the deadly terror attack on an upscale cafe in Dhaka says he hid in the bushes of the cafe's lawn during the 12-hour siege that saw seven of his compatriots killed.

Tamaoki Watanabe, who is currently recovering in a Tokyo hospital from a gunshot wound sustained in the attack, had an hour-long meeting with the Japanese police.

The 46-year-old survivor reportedly ran from the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe as shooting began, taking cover outside in the lawn, the Japan Times reported.

In his first interview with Japanese police, Watanabe confirmed that he was at the restaurant with the seven Japanese who were killed in the attack targetted at foreigners.

He said he did not see the other members of his group after running out of the building, the sources said on Wednesday.

Of the seven Japanese killed, five died of bullet wounds and among them at least four were shot in the head, the Japan Times said.

All the eight Japan nationals were employees of private firms engaged in a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) construction project in Bangladesh.

Watanabe was among 13 people rescued by the Bangladeshi police.

The police on Wednesday said it hopes to further interview him about the circumstances of the attack as they pursue an international investigation.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, in which seven assailants took the lives of 22 people, including 18 foreigners and two police officials.

Six of the seven assailants were also killed in the attack by the security forces and one was caught alive.

IANS