At least twenty foreigners were killed with sharp weapons in an attack by suspected Islamists on the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, officials say.

The majority of the victims were reportedly from Italy and Japan.

A government spokesman said that, six of the attackers were also killed and one was arrested. The so-called Islamic State (IS) took over the responsibility of the attack.

According to the Army Brig Gen Naim Asraf Chowdhury, the victims had been "brutally" attacked with sharp weapons.

Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said that, there were seven other Japanese were in the cafe, but the government had not yet been able to contact them.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in a televised statement that, "It was an extremely heinous act."  "What kind of Muslims are these people? They don't have any religion.

"My government is determined to root out terrorism and militancy from Bangladesh."

Bangladesh's Daily Star newspaper reported that, the terrorists tortured anyone who was unable to recite the Koran.

Sumon Reza, a supervisor at the cafe, said that, "The whole building was shaking when they set off explosives."

He was in the restaurant in Gulshan district when the attack began, but managed to flee to the roof.  He later jumped off the roof and escaped.

"From 08:00 it all started," said Rashila Rahim, who lives near the cafe. "Gunshots, tank sounds... It was like we were in the middle, and gunshots from all around."

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Nandini