Dhaka: Police and alleged criminals exchanged gunfire at a restaurant popular with foreigners in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladesh capital in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Friday night. 

Three policemen were wounded by gunfire that erupted as police surrounded the Holey Artisan restaurant in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka.

Injured constables Alamgir, 26, and Pradip, 28, and Abdur Razzak, a microbus driver, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

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 9:30pm (1320 GMT).

Huge number of policemen and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members cordoned off the restaurant in Gulshan diplomatic zone and gunshots were still being heard when this report was filed at about 11:50pm. 

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

RAB Director General Benzir Ahmed urges televisions against live coverage citing security reasons.