The gunbattle in Dhaka has ended after security personnel have killed six gunmen and captured one terrorist alive at a popular restaurant in Gulshan area, near Dhaka today, July 2.
Commandos barged in Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka and rescued at least 12 hostages who were trapped by the militants.
Armed gunmen stormed in the bakery and opened fire at around 9 p.m. local time in the restaurant and took nearly 20 hostages.
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According to report in India Today, though the gunbattle between terrorists and armed forces has been stopped, the commandos are still inside the restaurant.
Islamic State, which has claimed the attacks has posted photos of what it said were dead foreigners.
It has alleged that 24 people had died. However, Bangladesh police has denied it and claimed that two police officers had been killed and at least 20 people wounded.
Police gather after gunmen attacked the Holey Artisan restaurant Image Source:Reuters
Quoting a source as saying, a leading webloid said that nearly 10 armed unidentified persons charged into the restaurant and opened fire indiscriminately.
The hostage crisis could possibly incur a major damage to the country's vital $25 billion garment sector, owing to a recent spate of murders claimed by Islamic State and al Qaeda on liberals, gays, foreigners and religious minorities.
Considering the nature of these attacks, Dhaka is put on alert. All residents have been asked to stay indoors.
Meanwhile, another Hindu priest was attacked today morning in Satkhira Sadar Upazila area of Bangladesh.
The victim has been admitted to the hospital and is believed to be in a critical condition.
Unidentified assailants attacked Bhabasindhu Bor, priest of local Sree Radha Govinda temple in Brahmarajpur village.
Reportedly, the accused immediately fled the scene.
Earlier, priests Shaymanonda Das, 45, and Ananda Gopal Ganguly, 70, were hacked to death by three unidentified men.
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Apparently, Bangladesh has witnessed a spike in suspected Islamist attacks in the last two years. Its victims have primarily been bloggers, online activists, secular intellectuals, and members of religious minorities.
Previously, Amnesty International has also demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into these gory incidents and proclaimed that the government should "protect those still under threat."
The group added, "In the current climate of impunity, increasing numbers of people have reported facing threats that the authorities have repeatedly failed to address."
While the government has been denying Islamic state's presence in the country, the group has been establishing its stronghold by perpetuating violence in the capital and the nearby areas.
-This report is compiled by a staff-writer at NewsGram.
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