Bangladesh siege: Twenty killed
Twenty people, most said to be foreigners, have been killed in an
attack on a cafe in Bangladesh claimed by so-called Islamic State.
Gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Dhaka late on Friday
before troops entered almost 12 hours later. Six attackers were also
killed and one was arrested, officials said. Bangladeshi PM Sheikh
Hasina has declared two days of national mourning.
At least nine Italians were among those killed, Italy’s foreign
minister said.
|
Relatives of a hostage are seen walking away from an upscale
restaurant in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on July 2
following a bloody siege there by armed attackers that began
on July 1 |
“There is another person who is missing and could be among the
wounded,” Paolo Gentiloni told reporters.
The Italian press said many of those dining at the cafe worked in the
garment industry. Japan said eight of its nationals were in the cafe and
seven were still unaccounted for.
All were consultants working for Japan’s foreign aid agency. Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the eight “were giving their all for the
development of Bangladesh”.
The army had initially said all hostages killed were foreigners, but
later reports said some Bangladeshis also died.
In other developments:
India’s foreign minister said a young Indian woman was among the dead
Bangladesh Army Brig Gen Naim Asraf Chowdhury said the victims had
been “brutally” attacked with sharp weapons Thirteen people were
rescued, including one Japanese national and two Sri Lankans Pope
Francis condemned the attack as an “offence against God and humanity”
The siege began as diners gathered to break their fast during the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Bangladesh’s Daily Star newspaper said the
gunmen tortured anyone who was unable to recite the Koran. They provided
meals overnight for only the Bangladeshi captives, it said.
“It was an extremely heinous act,” Ms Hasina said in a televised
statement. “What kind of Muslims are these people? They don’t have any
religion. Sumon Reza, a supervisor at the cafe in the Gulshan district
of Dhaka, managed to flee to the roof when the attackers burst in.
“The whole building was shaking when they set off explosives,” he
told local media. He later jumped from the roof and escaped.
“From 08:00 it all started,” said Rashila Rahim, who lives near the
cafe. “Gunshots, tank sounds... It was like we were in the middle, and
gunshots from all around.”
Courtesy: BBC
Picture Courtesy: BBC
|
