UN chief condemns deadly terrorist attack in Bangladeshi capital

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday condemned a deadly terrorist attack in a restaurant in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, voicing his hope that "those behind this crime will be identified and brought to justice."

The secretary-general, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, expressed his "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Bangladesh.

"He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured," the statement said.

"The secretary-general hopes that those behind this crime will be identified and brought to justice," said the statement.

"He stands firmly by Bangladesh as it confronts this threat and stresses the need to intensify regional and international efforts to prevent and combat terrorism," the statement said.

"The secretary-general assures the government of Bangladesh that the United Nations is prepared to assist in efforts to prevent violent extremism in all its forms," the statement added.

Gunmen killed 20 foreigners soon after storming a Spanish restaurant in Dhaka on Friday night in Bangladesh's worst hostage crisis, a spokesman of the Bangladesh Army said on Saturday.

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

Some 13 hostages, including one Japanese and two Sri Lankans, were rescued after a two-hour operation by Army commandos.

After planning and waiting through the night, Bangladesh Army-led joint forces launched the assault at around 7:40 a.m. local time (0140 GMT) Saturday.

More than 1,000 rounds of bullets were reportedly fired and explosions were heard in the first 30 minutes of the raid when army men in armored vehicles tore down a wall of the cafe and the commandos galloped into it through the breach. Endit