Washington: President Barack Obama has been briefed about the attack on a restaurant in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Friday, the White House said.

"The president asked to be kept informed as the situation develops," a White House official said. 

Two senior police officials were killed and around 53 people, including several policemen, were injured in an exchange of gunfire between police and gunmen who stormed into a Spanish restaurant in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Friday night and took inmates hostage.

The deceased were assistant commissioner of Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Rabiul Islam and Banani Police Station Officer-in-charge Salauddin Khan.

Salauddin’s nephew Mishuk Hasan and Rabiul’s father-in-law Shahjahan Miah told reporters at the gate of United Hospital that the police officers succumbed to injuries they suffered in the gunfight.

At least 50 of the injured, including Additional Deputy Commissioners of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Sheikh M Maruf Hasan and Ahad, were rushed to the United Hospital.

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

Meanwhile, a 30-member Navy commando team reached the spot around 1:15 am on Saturday apparently to launch a drive in order to end the hostage crisis. 

Besides, security has been strengthened at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital following the Gulshan gunfight, said assistant police super of Airport Armed Police (AAP) Ashraf.

A special AAP team was deployed at the airport and number of patrol teams has been increased, he said. 

IS claims Gulshan attack

Islamic State has claimed responsibility of the attack in the Spanish restaurant at Dhaka’s Gulshan diplomatic zone where at least two police officers have died and over 20 others being held hostage.

US-based SITE Intelligence Group, around 1:30am – around five hours after the crisis began, tweeted the development quoting the middle-east terrorist outfit’s Amaq news agency.

At least 20 foreigners among hostages

Several foreigners are among a number of people taken hostage in a Dhaka restaurant by gunmen on Friday evening, the chief of Bangladesh's special police force said. 

Restaurant employee Sumon Reza said he was on the 1st floor when the gunmen barged into the restaurant, reported another news agency United News of Bangladesh.

He said at least 20 foreigners were inside the eatery when the criminals, maximum eight in number, entered it.

Reza said he along with 12-15 other employees went to the rooftop and climbed down outside through pipes.

Gunmen stormed a crowded restaurant popular with foreigners in the Bangladeshi capital on Friday night, apparently taking diners hostage and sparking a firefight with police in which at least one officer was killed, officials said.

The attackers entered a Spanish restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic quarter and opened fire at around 9:20pm (1320 GMT), police said. 

US and UK advised its citizen to remain alert

On the other hand, the United States and United Kingdom have advised its citizen in Bangladesh to remain alert and take shelter in safe places following the gunfight.

The Department of State alerted the US citizens to the ongoing potential for extremist violence in Bangladesh. This Travel Alert expires on July 22, 2016. 

There are reports of a shooting and hostage situation in Gulshan 2, Dhaka. Please shelter in place and monitor the news, said the US Embassy in a Facebook notice. 

There are reports of a firearms incident in the Gulshan 2 area of Dhaka. If you are you should remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local security authorities, according to UK travel advice. 

The German embassy in Dhaka is trying to determine if any German citizens were affected by the attack, a spokesman for the German foreign ministry said late Friday.

Talking to reporters at the spot at about 11:15pm on Friday, RAB chief Benazir Ahmed said Eight to nine gunmen had attacked the restaurant in the Gulshan area of the capital, he said. 

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. 

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque visited the injured at United Hospital.