Nine gunmen have attacked a restaurant and taken hostages in the capital of Bangladesh, with ISIS claiming responsibility.
Two police officers have been killed and another 30 injured in a gun battle with the hostage takers.
Several foreigners, maybe as many as seven Italians, are said to be among the 20 hostages being held by the gunmen.
The attack is believed to have taken place at O’kitchen restaurant, which is connected to the Holey Artisan bakery.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, a baker, who could be of Italian origin, may have been amongst those shot. ISIS has since claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq news agency.
It also claimed that more than 20 people had been killed but this has not been confirmed anywhere else.
According to a witness, gunfire could be heard in the Gulshan area of Dhaka, which is popular with foreigners.
The U.S. Embassy in the city said on its Twitter feed there were ‘reports of shooting and hostage situation’.
Bangladesh has seen a series of attacks, mostly using machetes, targeting bloggers, atheists and religious minorities.