Dhaka, July 3 (IANS): Bangladesh on Sunday mourned the victims of the horrific terrorist attack on a Dhaka cafe that left 22 persons, dominantly foreigners including an Indian, dead and the nation traumatized.
The National Flag flew at half-mast as a two-day mourning declared by the government began. People would wear black badges and prayers would be offered in mosques, temples and other places of worship, the Daily Star reported.
At least seven Islamists said to be Islamic State militants stormed the popular Spanish Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka's diplomatic zone on Friday night, taking more than 30 people hostage.
The 20 persons were brutally murdered during the 12-hour siege before Bangladeshi forces stormed the cafe and rescued 13 hostages, including one Japanese and two Sri Lankans.
The victims include 10 males and 10 females, Xinhua news agency quoted an unnamed official as saying.
Six terrorists were killed in the 50-minute army-led "Operation Thunderbolt". A seventh attacker was captured alive. All the attackers were Bangladeshis and five of them were wanted by police.
Inspector General of Police Shahidul Hoque told CNN that police had previously tried to arrest the five.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its gunmen "killed 24 persons and injured more than 40 in the attack at a cafe in Dhaka".
Two police officials were also killed in gunfire earlier in the standoff, authorities said.
The Bangladesh Army said those killed included nine Italians, seven Japanese, an Indian girl, two Bangladeshis and a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin.
