U.S. and French military forces stormed into the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako where armed gunmen took 170 people hostage today.
Reports say that troops are now moving room to room and taking guests out of the hotel even as some gunshots could be heard.
Radisson Blu reportedly said that 124 guests, 13 of its staff members were still inside the hotel following gun attack.
Around 80 of the hostages have reportedly been freed a short while ago.
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had confirmed that all 20 Indians among the hostages were among those safely evacuated.
"Good news! All 20 Indians in the hotel in Bamako have been safely evacuated. Our Ambassador in Mali has confirmed," MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
The identities of the armed gunmen in Radisson hotel is yet to be ascertained. Some reporters say that they are affiliated to an Islamic Extremist Organisation while some say that they are fluent in English.
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