Dhaka: The Islamic State’s media agency has released gruesome images allegedly taken inside the Bangladeshi restaurant stormed by Islamist gunmen as the bloody siege comes to an end.
Piles of dead bodies are pictured strewn across the floor between tables with half-eaten plates of food still on them. According to Amaq, IS’ official media outlet, these are the bodies of the diners taken hostage at the upmarket Holey Artisan restaurant on Friday night in Dhaka.
More than 20 people were killed and 40 wounded before armed police stormed the building.
No other agency has confirmed that figure. Police initially said 20 people were taken hostage. Locals and foreigners – including children – were in the restaurant when the gunmen took siege, police said.
An ambulance is seen after police stormed the Holey Artisan restaurant to rescue hostages, after gunmen attacked it and took hostages early on Saturday, in Dhaka, Bangladesh in this still frame taken from video July 2, 2016.
US lawmakers condemn Dhaka terror attack
US lawmakers have condemned the the suspected Islamic State attack at a restaurant in Bangladesh where several foreigners have been taken hostage, and called for action against the terror group, even as some stressed on the need to remain vigilant in its aftermath.
“Closely following the situation in Bangladesh. Yet another sign that we must all be vigilant, especially during this holiday weekend,” Senator Dianne Feinstein, ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a tweet.
Many of her colleagues in the US Senate and House of Representatives used the social media platform to condemn the terrorist attack. “We must disrupt these groups where they recruit, train, and plot to carry out their attacks,” Senator Richard Burr, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said in a tweet, adding that extremist groups are no longer challenged by the distance to their targets.
Dhaka attack: 10 hostages rescued by security forces
Eight to 10 hostages have been rescued from the restaurant that was held by suspected militants, said Bangladeshi police on Saturday. Gun-fighting has stopped but commandos remain inside the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant, they added.
About 20 people, including foreigners, were held hostage after gunmen stormed a popular restaurant in the capital, triggering a deadly firefight with police. Two police officers were killed and at least 20 wounded, the police said
