There is a horrible attack in Bangladesh and an Al-Qaeda account is claiming responsibility:
https://twitter.com/Ansar_Islam_BD/status/748925861043118080
They say 20 foreigners have been taken hostage:
https://twitter.com/Ansar_Islam_BD/status/748933233933316096
This account has posted Islamist propaganda long before the attack. We’ll update as more information is available.
Here’s a video of the terrible attack from a local news source – they mention “20 foreigners” taken hostage too:
Hostage crisis in Gulshan diplomatic zone in Dhakahttps://t.co/WO5Vh84kAB
★#MyJihad Islam #Moslems #Ramadan Uniform Civil Code BJP RSS VHP— Lal_Thackerey (@The_Chauvinist7) July 1, 2016
UPDATE:
The account claims a policeman has been killed by the Islamists:
https://twitter.com/Ansar_Islam_BD/status/748938942305562624
UPDATE – CNN confirms one policeman killed.
Here’s a statement about who they’re targeting from a statement linked by the account on May 30th, 2016:
Those who are trying to insult our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Allah (S) and our religion by any means such as writings, talks or physical works. We DO NOT and WILL NOT target any people who have different religious view or belief but those described before in our statement.
May Allah (s) destroy his enemies. May Allah (s) give victory to the mujahideen over crusaders, kuffar and murtaddin and satisfy the breasts of a believing people. Certainly help comes from him (Allah) and He is our only helper and guardian. We only obey Him and pray Him. All praise to Allah (S) and peace and blessing to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Journalists will be utterly perplexed as to what the motive is.