The Bangladeshi government have revealed that 22 people were killed last night after a 12 hour long siege took place in a cafe when suspected Islamists burst in and opened fire before taking hostages.
The cafe, in the country’s capital, Dhaka, was raided by the Islamists, supposedly members of the so called Islamic State, in the late hours of Friday night and only came to an end when Bangladeshi troops raided the cafe and killed several of the militants.
When members of the army stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe a firefight ensued in which they killed six of the militants and arrested one other, reports the BBC.
Fortunately they were able to rescue 13 other hostages including one from Japan and two from Sri Lanka.
However it is believed that there were at least seven other Japanese nationals in the cafe at the time of the attack who authorities have been unable to contact.
The attack began as Muslims who were taking part in the holy month of Ramadan were about to break their fast.
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said:
It was an extremely heinous act. What kind of Muslims are these people? They don’t have any religion. My government is determined to root out terrorism and militancy from Bangladesh.
Horrifyingly, Army Brig Gen Naim Asraf Chowdhury said that the militants had ‘brutally’ attacked those captured with incredibly sharp weapons, and it is reported that they tortured anyone who was unable to recite the Koran.
Our thoughts go out to all those involved and to Bangladesh at this sad time for their country…
