Two police killed in hostage situation in Bangladesh

Two officers have been killed by attackers holding hostages in a restaurant in Dhaka, Bangladesh, police said.

The attackers stormed a restaurant popular with foreigners in a diplomatic zone in the Bangladeshi capital took dozens of hostages, police said.

Hospital authorities said another 25 officers and one civilian were being treated for injuries, including 10 people listed in critical condition. The injuries include bullet wounds and broken bones, they said.

The Islamic State’s Amaq News Agency said the attack on the restaurant was carried out by “Islamic State commandos”, according to the Site Intelligence Group which monitors jihadist activity. Bangladesh authorities did not immediately respond to the claim.

As many as nine gunmen attacked the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Friday night.

Italian nationals are believed to be among the hostages.

Agencies