Bangladeshi police forces are storming the restaurant held by terrorists to save 20 hostages.
#Bangladesh forces began offensive ~ 20 min. ago against gunmen holding hostages at Dhaka restaurant. #VOAalert pic.twitter.com/pxF1F5WGMz
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) July 2, 2016
Breaking: #Bangladesh security forces begin to storm #Dhaka restaurant where hostages are being held
— Lisa Daftari (@LisaDaftari) July 2, 2016
Loud screams, possible bomb blast heard as security forces move against hostage-taking gunmen in Dhaka restaurant, reports @dailystarnews.
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) July 2, 2016
Hearing from witnesses that gunfire & explosions just erupted at the restaurant. We can hear them from our balcony. #Dhaka #Bangladesh
— Shama Hussain (@shama_ny) July 2, 2016
More than 100 commandos fighting the gunmen inside #Dhaka restaurant to free hostages with gunmen retaliating, #Bangladesh police reporting
— Lisa Daftari (@LisaDaftari) July 2, 2016
From the BBC:
Hundreds of troops are storming a cafe in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, where gunman took at least 20 hostages on Friday, security officials say.
Reports say several of those held are Italian, and a spokesman in Tokyo said some may be Japanese.
The militant group Islamic State has said it carried out the attack.
A BBC correspondent at the scene says gunfire was heard early on Saturday morning. At least two police officers were killed in earlier exchanges.
Thirty other police officers have been injured.
“The operation has began. Commandos have stormed the restaurant,” an official told the AFP news agency after a tense overnight stand-off.
Eight or nine armed men burst into the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe at about 21:20 (13:20 GMT) on Friday and opened fire.
A statement on the IS self-styled news agency Amaq said militants had attacked a restaurant “frequented by foreigners”. It said that more than 20 people “of different nationalities” had been killed but this has not been confirmed.
Seven Italian nationals are believed to be in the cafe, the Italian ambassador in Dhaka, Mario Palma, was quoted as saying by Italian media.
A Japanese government spokesman said Tokyo was investigating reports that some of its citizens were among the hostages.
The attack comes after a spate of murders of secular bloggers, gay activists, academics and members of religious minorities, blamed on Islamist militants.
Then there’s this:
One of my cousin's friends has been rescued safely from inside the restaurant. Praying for news on the others. #Dhaka #Bangladesh
— Shama Hussain (@shama_ny) July 2, 2016
Four of my cousin's friends, aged 21-22, are inside Holey Bakery among the hostages. Popular spot among locals & expats. #Dhaka #Bangladesh
— Shama Hussain (@shama_ny) July 1, 2016
Let’s hope there are as few casualties as possible.
UPDATE:
ISIS is posting images that are supposedly from inside the restaurant showing many dead bodies.
ISIS Amaq claims they have killed 20 people of different nationalities in Dhaka cafe, reports news agency ANI
— Times of India (@timesofindia) July 2, 2016
Some are doubting their authenticity, but a correspondent on MSNBC says he guarantees that the pictures are from that restaurant. Grim news.
UPDATE:
10:30 PM EST – a reporter on MSNBC said that 5-6 people have been rescued, including one foreigner.
UPDATE:
10:22 PM EST – Here’s a tweet with the pictures posted by ISIS that are reportedly from inside the restaurant. Caution – they’re very gruesome.