2 Islamist militants killed in B'desh military raid

Bangladesh army commandos on Sunday shot dead two Islamist militants in a raid at a building where militants were holed up, a day after six people were killed and 50 injured in blasts claimed by the Islamic State outside the hideout in Bangladesh's northeastern Sylhet city.

The commandos located the two militants wearing suicide vests on the ground floor of the five-storey building and shot them dead, Army spokesman Brigadier General Fakhrul Ahsan said.

"Our commandos fired gunshots seeing the two militants on the ground floor of the five-storey building. We can confirm the two were killed," Ahsan said.

The suicide vest of one of them also exploded, he said. Ahsan said the military operation is still underway as more militants equipped with arms, explosives and grenades could be holed up in the building.

"The entire area has become risky. Considering the overall situation, it will take more time for the operation to complete," he said in the briefing.

The development came hours after the commandos launched their final assault to flush the militants out from their hideout.

Elite commandos battled to neutralise Islamist militants holed up in a building rocked by fresh explosions, hours after six people were killed and over 50 others injured in blasts claimed by the Islamic State outside the complex in Bangladesh's northeastern Sylhet city.

"A ban has been enforced barring entry of ordinary people within the vicinity of the building as final preparations were underway to flush the militants out from their den," a police officer said.

At least three blasts were heard from inside the five- storey 'Atia Mahal' since 9:57 AM (local time).

A huge blast near the building tilted it towards one side, the Daily Star reported, citing its photojournalist who was on the spot.

Several gunshots were also heard. But it is unclear who were firing the shots as army prepared for a final assault.

Sylhet-based 17 Infantry Division's Major General Anwarul Momen is leading the operation codenamed 'Twilight', which was assisted by police's SWAT and counter-terrorism units. The elite Rapid Action Battalion is also involved.

It was not immediately clear whether the blasts were bomb attacks carried out in support of the militants holed up in the building.

Eyewitnesses said sounds of intermittent gunshots and explosions were heard, indicating militants' response to the security siege that continued for the last three days.

The officials said they were not sure about the number of militants inside the building but hinted that a top militant leader was inside the complex.

Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime chief Monirul Islam on Saturday said they got information that JMB chief Musa along with some other JMB militants were in Sylhet.