REUTERS

According to the Bangladesh Government, 20 hostages were killed in the siege as well as six gunmen, BBC News reported.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said 13 hostages were freed. One of the gunmen was arrested, she said.

Some of those who were held at the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe were believed to be Italian and Japanese.

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The 12-hour siege began as diners were gathering to break their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"It was an extremely heinous act," Sheikh Hasina said in a televised statement. "What kind of Muslims are these people? They don't have any religion.

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