No Pakistanis among Dhaka attack victims: FO

FO says all Pakistani diplomats and their families are safe in Dhaka

The Foreign Office on Saturday announced all Pakistani diplomats and their families in Dhaka are safe after suspected Islamic State gunmen attacked an upscale cafe in the Bangladeshi capital popular with foreigners, Radio Pakistan reported.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria stated that following the attack, Pakistani diplomats and staffers have restricted their movement.



"We have confirmed that there is no Pakistani national among the hostages," Zakaria said in a statement.

Six gunmen were killed and 13 hostages, including three foreigners, were rescued on Saturday during a police operation inside a Dhaka restaurant that came under attack, Indian television channel Times Now reported.

Gunmen attacked the upscale cafe in the diplomatic area of Dhaka late on Friday and had been holding about 20 hostages, including foreigners, before police poured into the building to try to free those stuck inside. At least two police were killed, authorities said.



“The operation has began. Commandos have stormed the restaurant,” a security official said.

An AFP photographer at the scene said he could hear a massive gunfight as security forces launched the rescue operation more than 10 hours after militants seized the hostages.

Five Bangladeshi hostages were rescued in the first few minutes of the operation, the security official told AFP.