
People help an unidentified injured person after gunmen attacked a cafe popular with foreigners in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, on Friday. (Photo: AP)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
People help an unidentified injured person after gunmen attacked a cafe popular with foreigners in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, on Friday. (Photo: AP)
Update II: CNN is reporting that "some officials cast doubt on the claim" that it was an ISIS attack, and Reutersreports: "Bangladesh security forces were preparing to free around 20 hostages."
Update: ABC Newsreports that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Earlier:
Armed attackers stormed a restaurant in Bangladesh's capital on Friday and have taken an unknown number of hostages.
Police and the gunmen exchanged fire and at least two officers have died.
"We want to resolve this peacefully. We are trying to talk to the attackers," BBC News quotes Benazir Ahmed, chief of the Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh's elite police force, as saying.
"Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside," he said.
Details are still emerging about the attack, but media reports thus far indicate that the attack began at roughly 9 PM at the Holey Artisan Bakery, which is located in Dhaka's diplomatic zone.
The restaurant owner, Sumon Reza, toldCNN that between six and eight gunmen came in. He managed to escape. Bangladesh's Daily Staradds that Reza said the attackers "came armed with pistols, swords and bombs" and "blasted several crude bombs causing wide-scale panic among everyone." He said, "They shouted Allah hu Akbar before blasting the bombs."
The Daily Star reports that at least 30 people have been injured, and says, citing diplomatic sources, there could be 20-30 hostages.
One resident, Tarique Mir, toldReuters that he still heard occasional gunfire three hours after the attack began.
"It is chaos out there. The streets are blocked. There are dozens of police commandos," he said.
Security official Fazle-e-Elahi told NBC News, "Suspects are extremist militants from an unidentified group," and "are heavily armed and equipped." Ahmed told reporters it was "Some derailed youths" who launched the attack.
Follow the developments as they unfold on Twitter:
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Update II: CNN is reporting that "some officials cast doubt on the claim" that it was an ISIS attack, and Reutersreports: "Bangladesh security forces were preparing to free around 20 hostages."
Update: ABC Newsreports that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Earlier:
Armed attackers stormed a restaurant in Bangladesh's capital on Friday and have taken an unknown number of hostages.
Police and the gunmen exchanged fire and at least two officers have died.
"We want to resolve this peacefully. We are trying to talk to the attackers," BBC News quotes Benazir Ahmed, chief of the Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh's elite police force, as saying.
"Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside," he said.
Details are still emerging about the attack, but media reports thus far indicate that the attack began at roughly 9 PM at the Holey Artisan Bakery, which is located in Dhaka's diplomatic zone.
The restaurant owner, Sumon Reza, toldCNN that between six and eight gunmen came in. He managed to escape. Bangladesh's Daily Staradds that Reza said the attackers "came armed with pistols, swords and bombs" and "blasted several crude bombs causing wide-scale panic among everyone." He said, "They shouted Allah hu Akbar before blasting the bombs."
The Daily Star reports that at least 30 people have been injured, and says, citing diplomatic sources, there could be 20-30 hostages.
One resident, Tarique Mir, toldReuters that he still heard occasional gunfire three hours after the attack began.
"It is chaos out there. The streets are blocked. There are dozens of police commandos," he said.
Security official Fazle-e-Elahi told NBC News, "Suspects are extremist militants from an unidentified group," and "are heavily armed and equipped." Ahmed told reporters it was "Some derailed youths" who launched the attack.
Follow the developments as they unfold on Twitter:
Update II: CNN is reporting that "some officials cast doubt on the claim" that it was an ISIS attack, and Reutersreports: "Bangladesh security forces were preparing to free around 20 hostages."
Update: ABC Newsreports that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Earlier:
Armed attackers stormed a restaurant in Bangladesh's capital on Friday and have taken an unknown number of hostages.
Police and the gunmen exchanged fire and at least two officers have died.
"We want to resolve this peacefully. We are trying to talk to the attackers," BBC News quotes Benazir Ahmed, chief of the Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh's elite police force, as saying.
"Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside," he said.
Details are still emerging about the attack, but media reports thus far indicate that the attack began at roughly 9 PM at the Holey Artisan Bakery, which is located in Dhaka's diplomatic zone.
The restaurant owner, Sumon Reza, toldCNN that between six and eight gunmen came in. He managed to escape. Bangladesh's Daily Staradds that Reza said the attackers "came armed with pistols, swords and bombs" and "blasted several crude bombs causing wide-scale panic among everyone." He said, "They shouted Allah hu Akbar before blasting the bombs."
The Daily Star reports that at least 30 people have been injured, and says, citing diplomatic sources, there could be 20-30 hostages.
One resident, Tarique Mir, toldReuters that he still heard occasional gunfire three hours after the attack began.
"It is chaos out there. The streets are blocked. There are dozens of police commandos," he said.
Security official Fazle-e-Elahi told NBC News, "Suspects are extremist militants from an unidentified group," and "are heavily armed and equipped." Ahmed told reporters it was "Some derailed youths" who launched the attack.
Follow the developments as they unfold on Twitter: