Gunmen take 20 hostages, kill two in Dhaka's diplomatic quarter

Two persons -- an Italian and an Argentinian -- were killed after a number of gunmen, said to be eight to nine, attacked a restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital late Friday and reportedly took 20 hostages.

At least four injured police officials were injured after police exchanged fire with the gunmen attacked the restaurant popular with foreigners.

DMP Additional Commissioner Sheikh Maruf Hasan confirmed that one of the policeman injured during fire exchange was dead. He said the officer was declared dead by doctors at United Hospital in Gulshan.

"Banani Police Station officer in-charge Md Salauddin has died from injuries he received in an attack by gunmen on a restaurant at Dhaka's diplomatic zone Gulshan," a report in bdnews24.com said.

Security forces have not yet entered the premisis of the restaurant, known as the Holy Artisan Bakery but are planning a rescue operation shortly, Bangladeshi news website RT.com reported late Friday.

"Bangladesh plans to start operation soon to rescue hostages from Dhaka restaurant, held by 8-9 gunmen," a police officer was quoted as saying.

No group has taken the responsibility of the attack yet.

--IANS

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