Police in Bangladesh have said they may have shot dead one of the hostages at a Dhaka cafe after mistaking him for an attacker.
Saiful Islam Chowkidar, a chef making pizzas at the Holey Artisan Bakery, was among six men killed when officers stormed the restaurant to bring the 12-hour siege to an end.
At least 20 hostages were killed during the terror attack, which Islamic State has claimed responsibility for.
Even though the militant group has released photos of five fighters it claims carried out the shootings, Bangladesh's home minister has denied IS were involved.
On Sunday, authorities said they believed the gunmen involved were "highly educated" and from "well-off families".
The government has blamed the attack and other recent incidents on domestic militants who are determined to impose Islamic rule in the moderate Muslim nation.
Five of the 13 hostages who were rescued when security forces stormed the restaurant are still being held for questioning by investigators - but it is not clear whether they are regarded as potential suspects or eyewitnesses.
Reports suggest one of those hostages is a former lecturer in a university department where one of the attackers had studied.
Nine Italians, seven Japanese, an Indian and three students at American universities were killed in the siege - and the bodies of the Japanese victims have now been identified and repatriated.
Italy's foreign ministry has urged its citizens to exercise the "utmost prudence" when travelling in Bangladesh, especially in areas frequented by foreign visitors.
No comments:
Post a Comment