Gunmen have stormed a popular cafe in the diplomatic area of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, taking a number of hostages, officials say.

According to sources two police officers have been killed in a gun battle and about 30 others have been injured.

According to The Hindu Sri Lankan nationals are suspected to be among hostages in Dhaka restaurant.

Islamic State (IS) has said that it has carried out the attack.

A statement on the group’s self-styled news agency Amaq said militants had attacked a restaurant “frequented by foreigners”. It said that more than 20 people “of different nationalities” had been killed but this has not been confirmed.

Await details…

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