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Terrorists storm police training college in Quetta, 25 injured
Extra police contingents deployed at the site, reports of hostages being taken —DawnNews
_________________________________________________________________________
Six terrorists have stormed a police training college in Quetta, prompting an operation by military and Frontier Constabulary forces to clear the premises which houses at least 200 police cadets.
The attackers are currently inside the building and are engaged in an intermittent exchange of fire with security forces, with reports of a hostage situation.
More than 100 cadets have been rescued from following an operation carried out by Special Service Group (SSG) commandoes.
Journalists on the ground report hearing two loud explosions, with one saying the ground shook when the explosion occurred inside the college. Gunfire and explosions can be heard from inside the centre, as the terrorists are said to be carrying AK-47s and grenades.
Two army helicopters are providing aerial surveillance of the area.
At least 25 people have been injured and are being treated at Civil Hospital, of which five sustained bullet wounds. One is said to be in critical condition.
The training college is situated on Sariab Road, which is considered to be one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta. Militants have been targeting security forces in the area for almost a decade.
The training college has come under attack in the past in 2008 and 2006, with attackers firing rockets into the college playground.
What we know so far
The attackers reportedly entered the complex through the front gate and the attack started at 9:30pm.
"Two attackers entered through the front gate," SSP Operations Mohammad Iqbal told DawnNews.
He added that initial investigations show that the terrorists are in the hostel, and as it is dark, there is trouble in identifying friend from foe.
“The injured are in stable condition, not seriously injured,” said the police official.
“It’s not clear how many people are inside right now; however, there has been no information about any suicide blast."
'The attackers were wearing shawls'
An eyewitness speaking to reporters after making a narrow escape said he saw three terrorists directly enter the barracks. "They started firing. We saw them and started screaming. We ran upstairs towards an exit."
He described the terrorists being covered in shawls.
The barracks and hostel blocks are situated deep inside the compound, making it hard to hear any sound of firing from the building.
The attackers have reportedly taken police personnel hostage. Around 200 cadets are said to be present in the centre's hostel.
Security beefed up at hospital
More than 20 injured cadets have been brought to Civil Hospital so far. Those in critical condition are now being shifted to CMH Quetta.
Extraordinary security arrangements have been made in and outside the hospital to prevent any untoward incident, especially in the wake of August 8 attack when a suicide attacker targeted the hospital.
Balochistan's Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti confirmed that terrorists have attacked the training centre.
“Our security forces have the capability to combat such attacks and threats,” the home minister told reporters.
He added that that recently there were 700 cadets present, but a batch passed out a few days ago.
“As of now, I do not have a confirmed figure on cadets present inside the centre.”
Senior law enforcement and army officials are present at the scene and are overseeing the operation. The Army SSG personnel have entered the police training centre and have taken administrative control of the operation.
It is expected that the area will be cleared in the next half an hour.
Extra contingents of security forces have been deployed at the spot and a cordon has been established.
An emergency has been declared in all government hospitals of the provincial capital, with the injured shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta and the Bolan Medical Complex.
The situation was tense in the area and people remained confined to their houses.
Militants have conducted attacks against security forces and national installations in Balochistan, which has been plagued by an insurgency and growing sectarian killings for more than a decade.
Terrorists storm police training college in Quetta, 25 injured
Extra police contingents deployed at the site, reports of hostages being taken —DawnNews
_________________________________________________________________________
Six terrorists have stormed a police training college in Quetta, prompting an operation by military and Frontier Constabulary forces to clear the premises which houses at least 200 police cadets.
The attackers are currently inside the building and are engaged in an intermittent exchange of fire with security forces, with reports of a hostage situation.
More than 100 cadets have been rescued from following an operation carried out by Special Service Group (SSG) commandoes.
Journalists on the ground report hearing two loud explosions, with one saying the ground shook when the explosion occurred inside the college. Gunfire and explosions can be heard from inside the centre, as the terrorists are said to be carrying AK-47s and grenades.
Two army helicopters are providing aerial surveillance of the area.
At least 25 people have been injured and are being treated at Civil Hospital, of which five sustained bullet wounds. One is said to be in critical condition.
The training college is situated on Sariab Road, which is considered to be one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta. Militants have been targeting security forces in the area for almost a decade.
The training college has come under attack in the past in 2008 and 2006, with attackers firing rockets into the college playground.
What we know so far
- Five to six attackers attacked a police training college at 9:30pm
- At least seven policemen injured
- Operation underway, training centre cordoned off
- Army and FC forces arrive at the scene
- Emergency declared at Quetta hospitals
The attackers reportedly entered the complex through the front gate and the attack started at 9:30pm.
"Two attackers entered through the front gate," SSP Operations Mohammad Iqbal told DawnNews.
He added that initial investigations show that the terrorists are in the hostel, and as it is dark, there is trouble in identifying friend from foe.
“The injured are in stable condition, not seriously injured,” said the police official.
“It’s not clear how many people are inside right now; however, there has been no information about any suicide blast."
'The attackers were wearing shawls'
An eyewitness speaking to reporters after making a narrow escape said he saw three terrorists directly enter the barracks. "They started firing. We saw them and started screaming. We ran upstairs towards an exit."
He described the terrorists being covered in shawls.
The barracks and hostel blocks are situated deep inside the compound, making it hard to hear any sound of firing from the building.
The attackers have reportedly taken police personnel hostage. Around 200 cadets are said to be present in the centre's hostel.
Security beefed up at hospital
More than 20 injured cadets have been brought to Civil Hospital so far. Those in critical condition are now being shifted to CMH Quetta.
Extraordinary security arrangements have been made in and outside the hospital to prevent any untoward incident, especially in the wake of August 8 attack when a suicide attacker targeted the hospital.
Balochistan's Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti confirmed that terrorists have attacked the training centre.
“Our security forces have the capability to combat such attacks and threats,” the home minister told reporters.
He added that that recently there were 700 cadets present, but a batch passed out a few days ago.
“As of now, I do not have a confirmed figure on cadets present inside the centre.”
Senior law enforcement and army officials are present at the scene and are overseeing the operation. The Army SSG personnel have entered the police training centre and have taken administrative control of the operation.
It is expected that the area will be cleared in the next half an hour.
Extra contingents of security forces have been deployed at the spot and a cordon has been established.
An emergency has been declared in all government hospitals of the provincial capital, with the injured shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta and the Bolan Medical Complex.
The situation was tense in the area and people remained confined to their houses.
Militants have conducted attacks against security forces and national installations in Balochistan, which has been plagued by an insurgency and growing sectarian killings for more than a decade.