Roundup: At least 5 gunmen killed, 13 hostages rescued as operation ends Dhaka restaurant siege

At least five gunmen have been killed and over a dozen hostages rescued on Saturday after Bangladeshi security forces ended a siege in an upmarket restaurant in the Bangladesh capital.

"We've come to know that at least five attackers were killed as security forces launched the offensive to end the crisis at the restaurant," said a police official who declined to be named.

The official could not tell whether any foreigners were killed during the operation. However, unconfirmed sources said the gunmen killed 8 to 10 foreigners.

Meanwhile, some media reports said six gunmen have been killed and at least 13 hostages, three of them foreigners, freed during the operation.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens taken hostage in the restaurant have been rescued unharmed, while the Japanese government confirmed one Japanese national was freed with gunshot wounds.

Police have earlier said that six gunmen were killed, while 18 hostages rescued during the operation.

Five to six gunmen stormed the restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave Gulshan on Friday night, shooting dead two police officials in their first attack. At least 40 people had been injured in the initial incident.

Seven Italian nationals, two Sri Lankans and eight Japanese are thought to be among dozens of hostages in the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant, which is popular with foreigners.

No formal announcement has so far been made on the rescue operation which lasted for about two hours since 8 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) Saturday.

The police official said the Bangladesh army, which was involved in the operation, will brief journalists about the outcome of the operation later in the day.

Navy commandos and personnel from the police, Rapid Action Battalion and Borders Guard Bangladesh also participated in the operation.

Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack, a claim whose authenticity has yet to be confirmed by Bangladesh police.

Sources said the gunmen demanded release of a leader of banned militant outfit Jama'at-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) who has recently been arrested.

JMB, campaigning for the establishment of Islamic rule in Bangladesh, carried out a series of bombings in 63 out of the country's 64 districts, including capital Dhaka on Aug. 17, 2005, leaving two people dead and 150 others injured.

Hundreds of JMB leaders and activists were rounded up while six top leaders of the group, including Shaikh Abdur Rahman, were hanged in 2007. Endit