Indian girl among 20 hostages killed in Dhaka terror attack

Twenty hostages, including an Indian girl and others mostly foreigners, were hacked to death by suspected ISIS militants inside a cafe popular with expats in the diplomatic zone here in the worst terror attack in Bangladesh before commandos launched an assault today killing six attackers and capturing one alive.

Director of Military Operations Brigadier General Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury said the militants slaughtered the hostages, most of them foreigners, before the joint operation led by the armed forces began.

Most of those killed were found with their throats slit, he added.

Indian girl Tarushi, 19, who was taken hostage was killed by the attackers.

"I am extremely pained to share that the terrorists have killed Tarushi, an Indian girl who was taken hostage in the terror attack in Dhaka," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

Of the 20 hostages slain 9 were Italian, 7 Japanese, one American of Bangladeshi origin, and two were locals, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

It added the victims comprised 10 men and as many women who were done to death during the 12-hour siege.

Two senior police officers were also killed in the gunbattle that began last night.

Italy's Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said one Italian was still unaccounted for.

Brigadier Chowdhury said the bodies of the victims were recovered during a search in the Holey Artisan Bakery compound after the operation.

"Army Para commando Unit-1 led the operation and killed six terrorists within 13 minutes," Chowdhury told reporters.

The mission codenamed 'Operation Thunderbolt' was launched after the Prime Minister ordered the army to intervene to end the hostage crisis, he said.

Gunshots and sounds of explosion rocked the area at 7:40 AM (local time) as security forces launched the final assault.

Minutes later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the end of siege and said security forces "successfully" wrapped up their operation, freeing 13 hostages after killing six terrorists and capturing one militant at the Spanish cafe.

"It was an extremely heinous act. What kind of Muslims are these people? They don't have any religion," she said in a televised speech, referring to the terrorists.

"They don't have any religion...terrorism is their religion," said Hasina, with Army chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq by her side.

"I thank Allah as we could destroy the terrorists and rescue the hostages," Hasina said, vowing to do everything to "uproot the militants and violent extremists" from Bangladesh.

Later Hasina asked extremists to stop killing in the name of religion and urged unity among countrymen. She declared two days of mourning for the victims.

Among those rescued were Indian, Sri Lankan and Japanese nationals, media reports said. Around 30 people were injured.

Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency, nearly four hours after the hostage crisis unfolded, according to the US-based SITE Intelligence group, which monitors jihadist activity online.