6 gunmen killed, 1 captured in raid to end restaurant siege: Bangladesh PM

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday that six attackers were killed in an operation to end a restaurant siege in Dhaka, reiterating her commitment to combat militancy and terrorism.

She told an even that "13 hostages were rescued during the raid while one attacker has been captured alive."

The prime minister appreciated the law enforcers - Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, police, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh - for their swift actions.

"We have called in security forces including army commandoes to tackle the situation," Hasina said without giving further details.

The 13-hour siege in a Spanish restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave Gulshan ended on Saturday morning with the commando raid.

No formal announcement has so far been made about the operation which lasted for about two hours.

The Bangladesh Army, which also joined the operation, said it will hold a media briefing about the raid later in the day.

Joint Bangladesh forces began a raid to free dozens of hostages from militants who have shot dead two police officers in the first attack on the upmarket restaurant on Friday night claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

The authenticity of the IS claim has not been confirmed by Bangladesh police.

At least 40 people, including senior police officials, were injured in the incident.

Dozens of people, including foreign nationals, were believed to be held hostage after police exchanged fire with the gunmen Friday night.

Sources said the attackers stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant where foreigners were used to gather every night. Endit