Dhaka: Around 20 people, including several policemen, were injured as an exchange gunfire broke out between police and gunmen who stormed into a Spanish restaurant in the Bangladesh capital in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Friday night and took inmates hostage.

Three of the injured — constables Alamgir, 26, and Pradip, 28, and Abdur Razzak, a microbus driver— were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Witnesses and an assistant commissioner (patrol) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said about five assailants entered Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant on Road 79 in the upmarket Gulshan area and opened fire at at about 9:20pm (1320 GMT).

The police said the criminals opened fire at the law enforcers from inside the restaurant, leaving many injured.

Huge number of policemen, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members and Border Guard Bangladesh cordoned off the restaurant in Gulshan diplomatic zone and gunshots were still being heard when this report was filed at about 12:05pm on early hours of Saturday.  

Several people including foreign nationals are believed to be trapped in the situation.  

All the surrounding roads were also blocked.

Talking to reporters at the spot at about 11:15pm, RAB chief Benazir Ahmed said several gunmen barged into the restaurant after evening.

He, however, said the criminals allowed some of the restaurant employees to come out.

Benazir said they would try to talk to the criminals and resolve problem in a peaceful manner as it is their first choice.

He also called upon the television channels not to telecast the drive live in the national interest.