Bangladesh forces stormed a restaurant where heavily armed terrorists had been holding dozens of people hostage for 10 hours. The operation was followed by explosions and military commandos found at least five bodies lying in pools of blood.
According to Japan government 13 people were rescued.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadis activity online.
At least 35 people, including about 20 foreigners, were reportedly trapped inside the restaurant.
Amid sound of gunfire and explosions, the rescue operation began at 7:40 am, reported local TV stations.
An Argentine and two Bangladeshis were rescued from the restaurant early Saturday, but details about their condition were not immediately known, local media reported.
Commandos storming the restaurant found five bodies lying in pools of blood, a police official who was not identified told Channel 24 TV station.
In Tokyo, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said that 12 people were rescued in the raid, including two foreigners, but he couldn’t confirm if they were Japanese. His information was based on inputs provided by Dhaka police.
Amaq, a news agency affiliated with the ISIS claimed that 24 people had been killed and 40 injured, including foreigners, according to SITE.
The news agency also posted photos purportedly showing the bodies of hostages.