Gunmen have stormed a popular cafe in the diplomatic area of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, taking hostages, officials say.
Unconfirmed reports say foreigners are among those being held in the city’s Gulshan district.
A gun battle between the attackers and police wounded three people, including two officers.
Police and security forces have sealed off the area and are trying to negotiate the hostages’s release.
Local media reported that several gunmen had entered the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe and opened fire.
The cafe is described as being popular with expatriates, diplomats and middle-class families.
The Dhaka Tribune said at least 20 civilians had been taken hostage.
The US embassy in Dhaka tweeted that there were “reports of shooting and hostage situation”.
It is not clear who the attackers are, although a police officer told the BBC that Islamic militants were suspected.
Media reports quoted witnesses as saying that “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is greatest”, was heard as the attack took place.
BBC South Asia editor Jill McGivering says that although high-profile gun attacks are rare in Bangladesh, the latest incident follows a series of murders widely blamed on Islamist extremists.
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Source: BBC