The dead were identified as Lokman Hossain Manik, 25, a hotel boy, and Zakir Hossain Amir, 24, a cleaner of Hotel Swagatam International.

Hotel manager Sharafat Ali, 32, who was critically injured in the incident, is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

Police picked up two hotel boarders Mithun Sarkar and Babul Mandal for questioning.

Police said a group of three to four criminals stormed the hotel reception at about 8:15 am and opened fire on the hotel employees without saying anything.

Two were killed on the spot while Sharafat was injured critically. Later, he was rushed to the DMCH.

Police reached the scene about an hour and a half after the incident and sent the bodies to Sir Salimullah Medical College for autopsy.

"We heard three gunshots and saw people going upstairs in panic. We waited inside the room locking the door. Later, police came and picked us up," said Mithun Sarkar.

"We are investigating the incident. It could be an incident of extortion or might have link with other criminal activities in the area," said Mizanur Rahman, second officer of Kotwali police station.

"Law enforcers raid the hotel often as criminals visit it regularly. The hotel is plagued with anti-social and criminal activities," said a staff of Dignity Restaurant & Mini Chinese preferring anonymity.

Police said one was killed and several others were injured in another incident at the same hotel on August 3 last year.