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Dhaka restaurant attack: 12 hostages rescued, ops on

by IBNS 01 Jul 2016, 08:34 pm

Dhaka, July 2 (IBNS) At least five people have been killed while 12 others were rescued as security launched

an assault in order to end the 11-hour-long hostage crisis at a restaurant in Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

The restaurant Holey Artisan Bakery is located in the Dhaka’s diplomatic zone Gulshan.

Security forces moved in around 7:30am and five hostages, including women and children, were freed minutes after the raid had begun, a witness told bdnews24.com.

According to reports, gunmen, who had stromed the restaurant on Friday night, had taken 20 people, including foreigners, as hostage.

Commandos and military personnel stormed the restaurant as heavy gunfire could be heard, reports said.

Security officials said they have nearly taken the situation under control.

Militant group ISIS has taken responsibility for the attack.

The SITE Intelligence Group tweeted: "#ISIS' 'Amaq News Agency reported that #ISIS fighters carried out the attack at a restaurant in #Dhaka #Bangladesh."

"'Amaq update: over 20 people of different nationalities have been killed in the #ISIS attack in #Dhaka #Bangladesh," read another tweet.

Bangladeshi officials or media have not confirmed the death toll as posted by SITE quoting Amaq.