TV channels stop live coverage of Dhaka attack

Dhaka, July 2: Gunmen opened fire at a Spanish restaurant in Dhaka late on Friday night taking about 20 hostages and killing four persons.

As soon as news broke that gunmen had stormed into the restaurant, news channels flocked over to the place to report the attack live. The attack took place at 9 pm local time.

However, a Bangladesh officer who briefed the media on TV about the ongoing situation, appealed to stop live telecast of the hostage situation.

Following this, TV channels immediately stopped broadcasting live from hostage situation after that. According to reports, officials said that the attackers did not make any demands yet even as they (officials) tried to establish contact with them.

The owner of the restaurant shared that all gunmen appeared young and also that foreigners were among the hostages.

Meanwhile, as details poured in it was revealed that an Indian national was stuck inside the restaurant.

"We are trying to negotiate with the gunmen holed up inside the restaurant," Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) chief Benazir Ahmed told newsmen. "Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside."

The attackers hurled bombs from inside the restaurant, and were firing intermittently. Gunshots and explosions were heard from time to time near the restaurant.

OneIndia News