20 hostages killed in Dhaka attack: ISPR

20 people were shortly killed by the gunmen who attacked the upscale cafe Holey Artisan and taking the diners in hostage in the diplomatic area of Dhaka last evening, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Brigadier General Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury, Director of Military Operations in a press briefing this afternoon said that as per instruction by the government, the Bangladesh Army conducted 'Operation Thunderbolt' to end the hostage crisis.

He said that Joint Security Force, led by the army, recovered 20 bodies during a search in the compound of the Spanish restaurant, Holey Artisan Bakery.

"Most of the victims were killed brutally with sharp weapons," the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

He said the autopsies of the deceased will be conducted at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) following existing norms.

People have been asked to contact army provost martial of Bangladesh Army over a hotline +88-0176-9012524 for details and to ascertain identity of the deceased.

General Nayeem informed that members of army, navy, air force, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action battalion and police took part in the over an hour operation starting at 7:40 a.m.

Thirteen hostages were rescued in the operation which included two Sri Lankans and a Japanese.

He added that six terrorists were killed and joint forces detained a suspected attacker from the spot.

A pistol used by terrorists, folded butt AK 22 rifle, Improvised Explosive Device (IED), walkie-talkie set and a large number of locally made sharp weapons were recovered from the spot, General Nayeem said.