Islamist militants killed 20 people inside an upmarket restaurant in Bangladesh's capital in the name of religion - and they did with a smile. This hostage situation was ended 12 hour later, after security forces stormed the building.

DailyMail

Islamic State took credit for what is one of the most brazen attacks in the South Asian nation's history. But Bangladesh has seen increasing attacks by militants who targeted mostly individuals advocating a secular or liberal lifestyle in majority-Muslim Bangladesh with 160 million people.

The gunmen ordered all to stand up before they began killing foreigners, a source said.

AP

"Let the people of the crusader countries know that there is no safety for them as long as their aircraft are killing Muslims," Islamic State said in a statement, also posting pictures of five fighters it said were involved in the attack. Survivors said the killers made hostages recite verses from the Quran, to check who was Muslim - the unlucky few were killed. Most of those killed were found with their throats slit.

"All the hostages were killed last night. The terrorists used sharp weapons to kill them brutally," said Brig Gen Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury of the Army Headquarters on Saturday.

AP

But Friday's attack was different, more coordinated, with the attackers brandishing assault rifles as they shouted "Allah hu Akbar" (God is Great) and stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery while dozens of foreigners and Bangladeshis were dining out during the holy month of Ramzan. Six gunmen were killed during the police operation and one was captured, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in a TV broadcast after more than 100 commandos concluded their operation to clear the cafe. Two police were killed in the initial assault.

AP

It was not immediately clear whether the attackers had a specific goal, and Bangladesh authorities did not say if they had made any demands. Ten of 26 people who were wounded when the militants opened fire were in critical condition, and six were on life support, according to hospital staff.