Brig Gen Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury, director of military operations, briefing the media at Dhaka
The Army led commando operation to rescue the hostages held by terrorists in a Dhaka restaurant is over. Thereafter a joint security force, led by army, recovered 20 bodies during a search at the compound of the Spanish restaurant, Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka diplomatic enclave in Gulshan, Brig Gen Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury, direction of Bangladesh military operations, told at press conference.“Most of the victims were killed brutally with sharp weapons,” he added.
Security forces were able to rescue 13 hostages. But the encounter between Bangladesh commandos and the gunmen left two police personnel and six gunmen dead. Another 25 people are reported to have been wounded.
Autopsies of the deceased will be conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) pursuant to existing norms, the army official said.
Chowdhry said, “The forces found a number of firearms – including pistols, AK-22 rifles and sharp weapons at the scene.
Some diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that some of the foreign hostages included several Italians and one or more Japanese citizens.
Two Sri Lankans and a Japanese were among the 13 hostages rescued in the operation.
“Two of the 13 hostages rescued are Sri Lankan nationals and one is Japanese, but more information would be available on the deceased after investigations,” Chowdhry said.
The Islamic State terrorist organisation reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
cpcnews.org 