Gulshan crisis: Two policemen killed

Gunmen are holding several hostages inside a posh restaurant in Gulshan after they stormed in firing shots and detonating explosives in the biggest terror attack yet in Bangladesh.

Law enforcers sealed off the sensitive zone in capital Dhaka soon after the raid that began around 9pm Friday. 

The siege of the restaurant came barely 15 hours after a Hindu priest was hacked to death at Jhenaidah - the latest among religious minorities killed by machete-wielding assailants who have also murdered seculars, bloggers, foreigners,  and gay-rights activists.

Witnesses said at least eight men, armed with knives and guns, shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ as they blasted their way into the Spanish food restaurant Holey Artisan Bakery and O Kitchen, frequented by foreigners.

Police have confirmed that Md Salauddin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Banani Police Station, died after he was injured at the site of the attack, which follows a series of killings involving suspected militants.

Detective Branch Assistant Commissioner Robiul Islam was also killed in the exchange of gunfire with the terrorists.

The attackers hurled grenades at the security men when they attempted to enter the cafe.

At least 25 injured, including security personnel, are being treated at different hospitals.  

A Reuters report quotes Amaq News Agency, mouthpiece of the so-called Islamic State, as claiming the attackers, acting on behalf of the terror group, have killed 20 people inside the Gulshan-2 restaurant.

The siege was continuing when Benazir Ahmed, chief of the Rapid Action Battalion, briefed anxious reporters at around 11pm.

He said security officials were trying to initiate negotiations with the hostage takers to make sure the crisis was resolved peacefully. However, he did not say who the suspected attackers were.  

Sumon Reza, who claimed to be the restaurant’s manager, said there had been around 20 people, including foreign nationals, inside the restaurant when a loud blast was heard.

“Some hid under the tables, others ran to the roof. I ran up to the roof and jumped out to escape,” he said.     

He said several restaurant employees were inside. “We’re calling them on their mobile phones but they aren’t picking up the calls or are cutting off our calls.”

The owner of the Spanish cafe told CNN that 20 people were being held hostage inside.

A waiter trapped inside is said to have called his father, telling him that several people were lying dead inside the restaurant before he got disconnected.

But there has been no official confirmation of the report.

The RAB chief said security officials were talking to employees who had managed to flee the attackers.

“We will talk and resolve this (crisis),” he said.

Meanwhile, a US State Department spokesperson said at a press briefing in Washington that the situation in Dhaka was “very fluid, very live.”

He added that it was too early to say who was involved in the hostage situation or what the motivation might be.

In Gulshan-2, security personnel were seen waving away television reporters crowding the cordon formed by the agencies.

They encircled the RAB chief, who asked them to calm down and immediately turn off live broadcast from the site.

“I’m asking you to consider the national issue at hand and stop instant updates and broadcast. As you know, a lot of people are now sitting in front of their televisions.

“So for the sake of those who are trapped inside the restaurant, please stop televising this at once. We want to talk to those who are inside.

"We’ve come to learn that it’s a Spanish food restaurant, with a bakery next to it.”

When a reporter asked about operation details, the RAB chief replied, “I can’t answer that question for same the reason we are requesting you to stop live updates, for the sake of the national issue.”

Source: bdnews24