3 U.S. College Students Killed in Bangladesh Attack

Three students studying at universities in the United States were killed in the terrorist attack at a cafe in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka.

A total of 20 people were killed, mostly foreign nationals, in the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Dhaka, a popular cafe for foreigners. Gunmen took hostages before troops stormed the cafe roughly 12 hours later. Two Bangladeshi police officers and six militants were also killed in the exchange.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Among those killed were two Emory University students and a student at the University of California in Berkeley.

Emory students Abinta Kabir, of Miami, an undergraduate, and Faraaz Hossain, of Dhaka, a 2016 graduate who planned on returning to Emory in the fall to attend business school, were identified as victims in the attack. Tarishi Jain, an Indian national and sophomore at U.C. Berkeley, was also killed in the attack.

The U.S. State Department said a U.S. citizen was among those killed in the attack. However, it was not clear whether the U.S. citizen killed in the attack was Kabir.

Nine of the victims were Italian, seven were Japanese, one was from India, two were Bangladeshi and one was a U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin, CNN reported, citing the country's Joint Force Command.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh on July 1-2. We remain in contact with Bangladeshi authorities and have offered any assistance necessary. This heinous attack resulted in as many as 20 deaths, including an American citizen, Bangladeshi law enforcement personnel, and citizens of several other nations," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. "Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and we hope for a speedy recovery for those wounded. This is a despicable act of terrorism, and the United States stands with Bangladesh and the international community in our resolve to confront terrorism wherever it occurs."

The attack comes in the wake of the bombing at Istanbul's Kemal Ataturk Airport that left 45 people dead. Around 20 Islamic State members remain in custody in connection with the attack.

Image of Holey Artisan Bakery via Google Street View