Dhaka terror-struck

In an unprecedented turn of events last night, gunmen held hostage dozens of people inside a popular hangout for foreigners in the capital's diplomatic zone of Gulshan, and fought a fierce gunbattle with law enforcers, killing at least two policemen and injuring around two dozens.

The hostage crisis, the first-ever such incident in the country, began around 8:30pm after seven to eight men carrying firearms, bombs and swords stormed into Holey Artisan Bakery, a favourite haunt for foreigners, in the posh neighbourhood.

Global terror outfit Islamic State claimed credit for the attack, said the Site Intelligence Group, citing Amaq News Agency of the IS. The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the site's statement.The gunmen exchanged shots with law enforcers and blasted bombs, sending a wave of panic in the high-security area.

The US State Department said it appears to be a hostage situation, and the White House said US President Barack Obama was following the situation, reports AFP.

The incident prompted the US, the UK and Australia to issue travel alert for their citizens living in Bangladesh.

Holey Artisan Bakery and another restaurant, O Kitchen, are housed on the ground and first floors of the same building, by the Gulshan lake, on Road 79 in Gulshan.

Talking to The Daily Star, Sumon Reza, supervisor of O Kitchen Restaurant, said he saw seven to eight armed men aged between 20 and 28 inside the restaurant.

"Two of them had arms in their hands while another one was carrying a sword," said Sumon, who managed to escape the restaurant through the roof.

At that time, around 20 foreigners and seven to eight Bangladeshis were having dinner, he said, adding that around 40 staffs were at work.

"The gunmen fired blank shots and detonated several crude bombs causing huge panic among those in the restaurant. Some of the diners ducked under the table and some lay on the floor," he said.

"They shouted Allah-hu Akbar before blasting bombs,” he said.

After some time, they held the main chef hostage and fired a shot that grazed his face, leaving him slightly injured.

Amid this confusion, around seven to eight of the restaurant staffs went to the roof and managed to escape.

Residents of the area said they heard sounds of gunshots and screams of people from inside the restaurant.

Rabiul Islam, assistant commissioner of the Detective Branch of Police, and Salauddin Khan, officer-in-charge of Banani Police Station, who were fatally wounded during the fight with the attackers, died at the United Hospital.

A photojournalist of The Daily Star, who was present there, saw that after OC Salauddin came to the spot, he was asked by some of his colleagues not to cross the cordon               as he was not wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Banani police Officer-in-Charge Salauddin Khan, who was injured during the gunfire exchange at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan 2 of Dhaka, is declared dead. Photo: Courtesy

But the police officer ignored the warning and crossed the line. Then there was a loud bang. Moments later, several law enforcers were seen carrying the OC away from the scene. He had blood all over his body.

Around 11:15pm, Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed arrived at the scene, and said, "We are primarily trying to establish contacts with the attackers, who are holding hostage clients. We have to try to save every hostage… Every life is precious."

Robiul Islam, assistant commissioner of Uttara zone Detective Branch, who is killed in the face-off at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan 2. Photo: Courtesy

He urged the media not to broadcast the incident live.

"Live broadcast may hamper the operations and endanger public security,” he told the journalists present there.

REACTIONS

The attack comes amid a series of secret killings carried out by suspected militants across the country.

Over the last two years or so, suspected militants have attacked and killed university professors, writers, publishers, secular bloggers, gay rights activists, foreigners, policemen and members of religious minorities, including Shia and Sufi Muslims, Christians and Hindus.

After the Gulshan attack, foreign diplomatic sources said they are worried because their citizens and diplomats living in Dhaka never guessed any such high voltage situation in Bangladesh.

In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters: "We are aware of reports of what appears to a hostage situation in the Gulshan neighborhood of Dhaka."

He said the department is aware that local security forces are on the scene, responding, and the US Embassy is in constant touch with Bangladeshi authorities concerning what is a "very fluid, very live situation."

Kirby said the embassy has accounted for 100 percent of American citizens that are under the authority of the diplomatic chief of mission in Dhaka. He said he had no more details.

He said it was too early to say who was involved in the assault and their motivation

In an abrupt decision, the US, UK and Australian governments issued travel alert for their citizens staying in Dhaka asking them to maintain high degree caution in Bangladesh due to the high threat.

The British government said, “There are reports of a firearms incident in the Gulshan 2 area of Dhaka. The incident may be ongoing. If you are in the area you should remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local security authorities.”

The US Embassy in its facebook and twitter message said at 11:00pm said “There are reports of a shooting and hostage situation in Gulshan 2, Dhaka. Please shelter in place and monitor the news.”

The Australian government told its citizens “If you are in the area, remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities. The level of advice has not changed. You should exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh.”

“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh due to the high threat of terrorist attack and the uncertain political situation. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times. Monitor the media and other sources about possible security risks.

There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian and Western interests in Bangladesh,” the Australian travel advice said.