Security officials were searching for clues and criminal masterminds who might have set in motion the bloody hostage crisis that left 28 dead, including six attackers and 20 of the hostages, in the diplomatic zone of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

Latest: It has now been confirmed that 20 hostages have been killed during a siege in a cafe in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

A group of up to nine attackers took hostages inside a restaurant frequented by both locals and foreigners in a diplomatic zone in Bangladesh's capital, local media reported.

At least one person has died after security forces and opposition activists clashed in Bangladesh’s capital, as thousands of police took to the streets to foil a mass rally calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to cancel upcoming elections.