ISIS terrorists shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as they hacked to death 20 foreign tourists in restaurant in Bangladesh - but spared those who could recite the Koran - before armoured troops moved in

ISIS has hacked to death 20 foreigners during a terrorist attack on a restaurant in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.  

A group of heavily-armed terrorists shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as they attacked the mainly foreign patrons inside the Holey Artisan Bakery in the city's diplomatic quarter. 

Army Brigadier General Naim Asraf Chowdhury said: 'Most of (the hostages) were killed mercilessly by sharp weapons last night.'    

Survivors claimed the killers cut down those who were unable to recite passages from the Koran.  

On Friday night, Hasnat Karim had brought his family to celebrate his daughter's birthday.

Hasnat was too traumatised to say more than a few words about his ordeal, saying only that the hostage-takers 'did not misbehave with us'.

But he detailed to his father Rezaul how the gunmen - who were armed with automatic weapons, bombs and makeshift machetes - had split the diners into two groups.

Rezaul said: '(The foreigners) were taken to the upper floor and the Bangladeshis were kept around a table.' 

He said his son told him the terrorists 'did not hit people who could recite verses from the Koran. The others were tortured'.

He added: 'The gunmen asked everyone inside to recite from the Koran. Those who recited were spared. The gunmen even gave them meals last night.' 

Elite Bangladeshi commandos stormed the building after siege of more than 12 hours, freeing some 13 hostages.

Six of the terrorists were shot dead and one was arrested at the scene.  

Armed terrorists raided the building in Dhaka's upmarket Gulshan quarter taking at least 30 hostages, most of whom were foreigners.

The terrorists were surrounded by at least 100 elite commandos for some 12 hours before the security forces recaptured the building. 

Bangladeshi officials confirmed 20 civilians were killed during the attack.

Commandos recovered assault rifles, knives and crude explosive devices from the scene. 

A further eight hostages managed to escape in the minutes after the attack began.  

The gunmen were armed with high-powered automatic weapons, explosives and knives when they entered the Holey Artisan Bakery, which is in the capital's diplomatic zone. 

The ISIS media wing has claimed responsibility for the attack which was launched on the final Friday of Ramadan, as millions of Muslims prepare to celebrate the Eid holiday. 

Source: Daily Mail