Terrorist Attack in Bangladesh Leads to lockdown of U.S. Embassy

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

In the city of Dhaka in Bangladesh, near the U.S. Embassy and British High Commission, eight Islamic jihadists claiming to be attached to ISIS, and shouting "Allahu Akbar," stormed a restaurant, taking at least twenty hostages, and wounding 15.  The terrorist group claims they have injured 40, and that they have killed 24 people, so far.  Witnesses have reported hearing both gunfire, and explosions.  Violence in the country of Bangladesh, which is located just south of China, and is tucked between the eastern edge of India and Burma (Myanmar), has recently been on the rise, creating a state of upheaval that includes a series of targeted killings where activists, atheists, bloggers and professors were hacked to death.

In this latest episode of terror, persons claiming to be Islamic State commandos attacked a restaurant frequented by foreigners.  The police attempted to negotiate with the gunmen, but gun battles have claimed the lives of two officers.

According to an employee of the restaurant, the terrorists are heavily armed with pistols, swords and bombs.  The employee said the gunmen shouted "Allahu Akbar" before blasting several bombs.

The location of the attack is in a section of Dhaka known as its diplomatic quarter.  The area hosts most of the high commissions and embassies in the country.  There is also a large number of hotels, shops and other restaurants in the region.  The restaurant under attack serves traditional European baked goods such as croissants and waffles, and is a popular stop for foreigners, diplomats and expats.

The U.S. Embassy in the area tweeted that there were "reports of shooting and hostage situation".  The U.S. State Department has confirmed that all Americans working at the U.S. facility have been accounted for.

Both Islamic State and al Qaeda have claimed to have operations in Bangladesh, and have claimed responsibility for recent terrorist attacks in the country.

I am expecting President Obama to call it workplace violence, blame the presence of foreigners for the attack, and he will also attempt to pin the situation of resident Christians that maybe withing hundreds of miles.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Gunmen Take Hostages Near U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh - PBS

Bangladesh Terror Attack: ISIS Gunmen shouting Allahu Akbar storm restaurant just streets from British High Commission - U.K. Daily Mirror