The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a gun attack Friday on a restaurant in Bangladesh's capital popular with foreigners that sparked a deadly firefight with police, an IS-linked news agency reported.

"Islamic State commandos attack a restaurant frequented by foreigners in the city of Dhaka," the Aamaq news agency said.

Gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant, apparently taking diners hostage and sparking a firefight with police in which at least two officers were killed, police and witnesses in Dhaka said.