IS hostage standoff in Dhaka continues
BDNews24.com reported that "At least four injured police officials were seen being transported. One of them looked seriously injured".
WION can confirm after speaking with Dr. Miraj at the United Hospital in Dhaka, 300 metres from the hostage crisis, that 30 security personnel are being treated after sustaining wounds from grenade shrapnel, as well as bullets.
IS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
So far one employee has managed to escape and there are reports that two hostages have been released, for unknown reasons.
Local reports say seven Italian nationals are among the hostages.
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stand guard outside the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe
— (@DamyEku) Jul 02 2016
BREAKING: Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on cafe in Bangladesh, says more than 20 people killed: Amaq news agency
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 1, 2016
TIMELINE (local Bangladesh time, GMT +6)
1:50: Reuters reports IS claims responsibility for the attack
1:08 am: Uttara zone Asst Commissioner Robiul Islam dies of bullet injuries
12:39 am: Police try and initiate negotiations with attackers
12:24 am: Banani Police Officer-in-Charge Salauddin Khan declared dead
12:06 am: A bakery staffer, Sumon Reza escapes, says an Argentinian & an Italian among hostages
11:50 pm: Dhaka airport closed
11:35 pm: B’desh RAB chief Benzir Ahmed urges TV channels not to live telecast hostage situation
11:30 pm: People report hearing shouts of Allah-hu-Akbar immediately before hearing several blasts
10:30 pm: US State Department Twitter account declares hostage situation in Dhaka
8:45 pm: Multiple attackers enter Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan-2 diplomatic area in Dhaka, Bangaldesh; start firing
#GulshanAttack: At 1:08am, assistant commissioner of Uttara zone Detective Branch killed in the shooting, top police officials confirm
— The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) July 1, 2016
Locals have taken to social media to share pictures and to describe what they know. Their reports cannot be verified by WION.
The witness said from his house in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka he could hear gunfire and it "looked quite bad". The US Embassy in Dhaka said on its Twitter feed there were "reports of shooting and hostage situation".
#Hostage situation in #Dhaka. #Terrorist targeted #restaurant popular among foreigners in #Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/zt2zqgjP30
— Rudolf (@poljski_navijac) July 1, 2016
10 attackers take around 60 hostages, 20 foreigners included, at a restaurant in #Dhaka. RAB director says they want a `peaceful resolution`
— Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) July 1, 2016
#Dhaka: Somoy News reports Banani Thana Police OC Salauddin died. #Bangladesh
— Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) July 1, 2016
The US state department has issued an update about the hostage situation:
.@statedeptspox Kirby provides update on apparent hostage situation in #Dhaka, #Bangladesh https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl
— Department of State (@StateDept) July 1, 2016
Bangladesh has seen a series of attacks, mostly using machetes, targeting bloggers, atheists and religious minorities.Breaking : Islamic attack on restaurant in #Dhaka terrorist shouting allah hu akbar
— Ravi Singh (@RealRavii) July 1, 2016
20 hostages mostly foreigners pic.twitter.com/aQHrShQ8Hs
(Reuters and WION)