“On behalf of all Floridians and Americans, our thoughts and prayers will be with all of the victims and loved ones of those who lost their lives in Bangladesh”, Scott said in his statement. “I implore you to come back to the rightful path and uphold the pride of Islam”.
Advertisement
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack and said 24 people of different nationalities were killed.
“Most them had been brutally hacked to death with sharp weapons”, army spokesman Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury told reporters. “No one is from a madrassa”, the minister said.
“Embassy officials confirmed that seven Japanese were included in the bodies sent to hospital by the Bangladesh government”, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference in Tokyo. Hasina said some of the hostages had been killed, but did not say how many.
Clinton noted that three of the 20 victims attended college in the United States, including one American citizen. “Everything she achieved, I can say she earned”. Some 13 others were rescued by paramilitary forces, who killed six of the attackers and captured a seventh during a 12-hour standoff, according to Bangladeshi authorities.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, the director general of the Rapid Action Brigade, Benazir Ahmed, said there was shooting at the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe and that a hostage situation was unfolding elsewhere in the same building, at the O’kitchen restaurant.
An Indian government minister said an Indian citizen who was studying at the University of California at Berkeley was also killed.
Police officials cordoned off the area around the restaurant and rescue operations began after 11 hours since the attack began at 9.30 pm on Friday. Several foreigners are believed to be among the hostages inside the restaurant.
The militants ended up in gun battles with police during the initial assault, killing two police officers.
Two Bangladeshi police officers also died of wounds received Friday night when the hostage crisis began.
Hasina asked the television owners to telecast the bad side of militancy, “It is the responsibility of all”.
Advertisement
The attack triggered widespread condemnation, with Pope Francis condemning “such barbarous acts as against God and humanity”.
