27 hostages and two attackers killed in Mali hotel seige by terrorists

The hostage crisis at a hotel in Mali capital Bamako has ended, with at least 27 people reported to have been killed in the incident. Some armed assailants had barged into the hotel Friday taking 170 people hostage. Malian and UN security forces launched a counterattack and escorted the people out.

Twenty captured Indians were evacuated unharmed. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet that all 20 Indians were rescued. She thanked Indian Ambassador in Mali Ajay Kumar Sharma for his initiative in this regard.

Security forces have reportedly killed two gunmen. Witnesses had said that



there were around a dozen armed assailants, but AFP quoting the Malian military said that the total number of gunmen was not more than four.

Security Minister Salif Traore has said, the assailants have no more hostages in their hands and the forces are in the process of tracking them down.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its offshoot al-Murabitoun has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mali has declared a 10-day State of Emergency following the incident.