Dhaka: A number of gunmen, said to be five to six, attacked a restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital late Friday and may have taken hostages, according to police and witness reports.

There were “reports of shooting and hostage situation”, the US embassy in Bangladesh has tweeted.

At least four injured police officials were seen being transported from the spot after police exchanged fire with the gunmen attacked the restaurant popular with foreigners.

It was being suspected that a hostage situation has developed at the restaurant, known as the Holy Artisan Bakery.