PUTRAJAYA: No Malaysians were involved in the deadly hostage incident at the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe, in the city of Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh today. The café is a popular dining area for foreigners in Dhaka.

In a statement today, the Foreign Ministry said initial reports indicated that two perpetrators randomly fired shots at the premises, killing three police officers and injuring 30 people.

The ministry said that around 20 people of different nationalities, mostly Italian, were held hostage by armed men.

“Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms this cruel act.

“Malaysia also expresses deepest condolences and sympathies to the Bangladeshi government as well as to its people, especially to the families of the victims.

“The Malaysian government calls on the Bangladeshi government to intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the ministry said.

It added the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka would continue to monitor the situation.

Officials had said Bangladesh security forces had ended the siege where dozens of diners had been held captive and shot dead six of the hostage-takers.-nst