LIVE: 20 civilians killed in Bangladesh hostage siege, PM Modi expresses condolences

The number of gunmen and hostages still in the restaurant was unclear, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, a deputy director at the Rapid Action Battalion force, told Reuters.

Bhuiyan told Reuters one foreigner, probably Japanese, was among those who escaped after more than 100 commandos launched an operation to secure the upmarket cafe in Dhaka.

Bangladesh shooting: At least 20 killed; ISIS claims attack on restaurant

LIVE updates (All times in IST):

July 2

7:20 pm: Italian foreign minister says bodies of 9 Italians have been identified in attack on Bangladesh cafe

6:20 pm: Request the Indian Govt to support us and help us bring back her body to India: Annie Jain, Tarishi Jain’s relative

5:30 pm: We are saddened,want to go to Dhaka, MEA is helping us in formalities: Sirish,cousin of Tarushi Jain.

5:20 pm: This is highly condemnable. It is a wake up call for us.We need to stay and fight together: Anisul Haque,Mayor, Dhaka.

4:55 pm: 8 people rescued include 7 Bangladeshis & 1 Indian. 3-4 in hospital undergoing treatment including 2 Sri Lankans, a Japanese and an Italian.

4:50 pm: 10-12 Bangladeshi staff of the bakery also rescued in the morning and have been segregated by police for interrogation.

4:30 pm: The attack in Dhaka has pained us beyond words. I spoke to PM Sheikh Hasina & strongly condemned the despicable attack: PM Modi

4:20 pm: India stands firmly with our sisters & brothers of Bangladesh in this hour of grief: PM Modi

4:00 pm: Extremely pained to share that the terrorists have killed Tarushi, an Indian girl who was taken hostage in the terror attack in Dhaka: EAM

2:30 pm: Italians were among the hostages killed – Italian foreign ministry source: Reuters

2:04 pm: Bangladesh army spokesman says all 20 victims of attack on Dhaka cafe were foreigners.

1:39 pm: Most Bangladesh hostage victims were Italian or Japanese, says army.

1:23 pm: One Japanese national rescued but seven other still unaccounted for, says Japanese government.

1:21 pm: Most killed in attack at night killed by sharp weapons, says Bangladesh army official.

1:10 pm: 20 civilians killed in Bangladesh hostage siege: army, reports AFP.

11:24 am: No matter how many challenges this country faces, we will evolve as ‘golden Bangladesh’, Hasina said.

11:24 am: “I applaud the efforts of all the forces that have worked together to ensure the safety of the place is restored. All the roads which were blocked and the services that were stopped have now been restored but people must continue to be vigilant,” she said.

11:22 am: She said, “I really hope and pray that people of Bangladesh remain safe and they get ahead in life. And if people of this country are more aware and vigilant, we can prevent such further attacks. We will not allow Bangladesh to become a safe haven for terrorism.”

11:20 am: She calls upon the youth of the country not to be influenced or motivated by such ‘extremists’, says it’s not only the responsibility of the government but a joint effort by the people and the society will also help us prevent further terror attacks. They should be reminded of their love for their country and must uphold the respect that Bangladesh has in the world’s eyes.

Also Read | How newspapers in Bangladesh covered the Dhaka terror attack

11:18 am: “We did not allow anyone within four kilometers radius of the area, a step which helped us take control of the situation quickly,” she said.

11:16 am: She condemns local TV channels broadcasting live telecast of the combat operation. She says that this certainly has hindered efforts of the RAB and military in the rescue operation. We had repeatedly requested the media that the area has been cordoned off and they must refrain from live telecasts.

11:14 am: She questions “what kind of muslims are these who forgo the call of azan to kill people”. She reiterates that terrorism has no religion and I am happy that we have been able to combat all these extremists.

11:12 am: The PM also thanked and congratulated the RAB and the Navy commandos for their extraordinary efforts and valour to put an end to the disastrous situation as soon as they could, to the best of their abilities.

11:10 am: We tried to assess the situation immediately and we could end the siege within 10 hours with methodical and cautious planning. I am extremely happy that we could save 13 people. I condemn the losses of the people, says Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

11:08 am: Kiren Rijiju says he will wait for a full report before commenting on the Dhaka attack.

10:00 am: Dhaka cafe siege ends after 12 hours, six gunmen killed, says police, reports AFP

9:40 am: 5 bodies found, 12 people rescued

9:24 am: After series of explosions, bomb squad deployed in the area to assess situation. The attack may be over, reports CNN.

9:10 am: Two big explosions heard inside Dhaka restaurant; police official says five bodies found – reports AP.

Also Read | India closely monitoring Dhaka restaurant hostage crisis

9:05 am: According to ANI, Bangladesh media reports that 13 hostages rescued, says Lt Col Tuhin Mohammad Masud. This apparently includes Japanese and Indian national.

9:03 am: No gunfire for more than 30 minutes, the siege may have ended, reports CNN.

Visuals from the scene. (Source: ANI)

8:42 am: Japan government says 12 people rescued from Dhaka restaurant, quoting Bangladeshi police, according to Reuters.

8:41 am : 5 rescued from Dhaka restaurant, 36 injured being treated. Eyewitnesses to media say 5 gunmen killed, 1 captured, 2 unaccounted for, reports ANI.

Also Read | ISIS claim on Dhaka hostage situation cannot be confirmed yet: US

8:39 am: The streets are still barred but no emergency announcements are being made, according to CNN.

Also Read | Bangladesh: Another Hindu priest attacked, 2nd in last two days

8:32 am: Hillary Clinton tweets about Bangladesh Attack, says we will never succumb to fear and hate.

Praying for the safety of the hostages in Bangladesh. To the terrorists: We will never succumb to fear and hate. -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 2, 2016

8:28 am: Bangladesh police says 8-10 hostages have been rescued from Dhaka restaurant, according to Reuters.

8:25 am: Unconfirmed reports suggest that some hostages may not have survived, reports the CNN.

Also Read | US lawmakers condemn Dhaka terror attack

8:23 am: Five of the gunmen have been killed, two are unaccounted for and one has been captured, according to unconfirmed statement by a police officer, reports CNN.

8:13 am: CNN reports that the siege of the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe at Dhaka may have ended.

Also Read | List of recent attacks in Bangladesh blamed on radical Islamists

8:11 am: Unconfirmed reports say that at least 5 persons presumably hostages moved out via ambulances from cafe. Bangladesh army chief at location, reports ANI.

8:09 am: A Japanese national has been able to escape during the gunfire, says police, reports Reuters.

8:04 am: At least one person has been taken away in an ambulance, reports CNN.

8:00 am: More ambulances moving into Dhaka restaurant lane. Local reporters say say at least 100 commandos surrounded cafe Retaliatory fire was there, reports ANI.

7:56 am: Several persons including 1 foreigner rescued from Dhaka restaurant, says Mizanur Rahman of RAB and they are being taken to hospital, reports ANI.

Also Read | Bangladesh attack: Here is how twitter reacted

7:53 am: The restaurant is now quiet, no more gunfight sounds, but it still remains unknown what the end result is, reports CNN.

7:50 am: 100+ commandos fighting gunmen at the restaurant where an intense gunfight is underway, CNN reports.

7:40 am: Bangladeshi TV news channels are not broadcasting the attack live, as opposed to the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks where the live television broadcasts helped terrorists assess military positions.

7:38 am: The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has confirmed that police forces have stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe, the restaurant where the hostages have been held. No word on who the police is fighting against.

7:34 am: Heavy gunfire can be heard at the scene, according to witnesses outside, reports CNN.

Bangladesh restaurant attack: Live pictures, videos from the scene

7:30 am: CNN says that hostage takers have made no demand which could mean they had no intention of coming outside.

7:20 am: Bangladeshi security forces have stormed inside the restaurant, reports AFP.

7:12 am: In order to deal with attackers, a commando group of Bangladeshi navy has been deployed at the site, reports bdnews24.com.

7:07 am: CNN reports that the terrorists haven’t made any demand yet.

7:04 am: Various embassies are in constant contact with Bangladeshi authorities to know about the hostage situation and to ensure the safety of foreign nationals held hostage.

7:02 am: According to Bangladeshi news channel Samay says that there are about 7-8 gunmen holding hostage.

7:00 am: US investigating IS claim on the attack, believes it could be Al Qaeda, according to CNN.

6:10 am: Islamic State posts photos, claims they are of dead foreigners according to their news agency Amaq.

5:30 am: According to internet service provider Aamr, authorities also ordered internet services to be blocked across the country.

5:20 am: Bangladesh police preparing to launch operation at Dhaka restaurant, to begin at dawn.

5:11 am: Indian and Italian nationals are among the hostages, said a duty officer at the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) control room.

1:45 am: Police say two officers have been killed by attackers.

01:30 am: Hospital authorities said another 25 officers and one civilian were being treated for injuries, including 10 people listed in critical condition.

01:20 am: Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on cafe in Bangladesh, says more than 20 people killed, reported the outfit’s news agency Amaq. Bangladesh authorities did not immediately respond to the claim.

01:05 am: Bangladesh media quoting intelligence sources reports that ISIS has claimed responsibility for Dhaka restaurant attack

12:54 am: Rabiul Islam, Assistant Commissioner of Detective Branch of Police succumbs to his injuries: Bangladesh media

July 1

11:54 pm: All Indian High Commission officials reportedly safe, our High Commission is monitoring the situation: Ministry of External Affairs

11:48 pm: Bangladesh TV channels have stopped broadcasting live from hostage situation after Rapid Action Battalion requested to stop: Bangla media

11:40 pm: 

Ali Arsalan, one of the owners of Holey Artisan Bakery at Dhaka posted this @IndianExpress #Dhaka pic.twitter.com/UXSNQwCUKf

— Premankur Biswas (@PremankurBiswas) July 1, 2016

11:10 pm: Police negotiator have appealed the gunmen to lay forward their demands and are still waiting for response.

11:06 pm: US spokesperson John Kirby briefed the media on apparent hostage situation, said that all American citizens working with the embassy in Dhaka. Kirby said it’s “too early to say who is involved.”

.@statedeptspox Kirby provides update on apparent hostage situation in #Dhaka, #Bangladesh https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl

— Department of State (@StateDept) July 1, 2016

11:05 pm: Bangladesh media reported eight armed men, in their early 20’s, entered the Dhaka cafe shouting slogans. Gun battle is on.

(With inputs from agencies)