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2 police shot dead when alleged religious radical attacks police station in Almaty (GRAPHIC) 2 police shot dead when alleged religious radical attacks police station in Almaty (GRAPHIC)
(35 minutes later)
At least one attacker has been detained, two policemen were killed and several people were injured following an attack on a police station in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, RIA Novosti reported, citing a security source.At least one attacker has been detained, two policemen were killed and several people were injured following an attack on a police station in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, RIA Novosti reported, citing a security source.
Ambulances are rushing to the scene, and emergency services recommend that locals avoid going out.Ambulances are rushing to the scene, and emergency services recommend that locals avoid going out.
“You should wait for a couple of hours, there is a special operation going on there,” they said.“You should wait for a couple of hours, there is a special operation going on there,” they said.
At least 10 shots were fired, local media outlet 365info.kz reported, citing witnesses.At least 10 shots were fired, local media outlet 365info.kz reported, citing witnesses.
“At first there were three or four single shots fired, and then there was a round. The unknown attacker ran away with the machine gun, and the policemen ran after him,” employees at nearby offices told Bestnews.kz media outlet.“At first there were three or four single shots fired, and then there was a round. The unknown attacker ran away with the machine gun, and the policemen ran after him,” employees at nearby offices told Bestnews.kz media outlet.
Other witnesses reported on social networks that “an unknown person wearing black was shooting with a machine gun at police, trying to stop [their] car, and then ran in the eastern direction.”Other witnesses reported on social networks that “an unknown person wearing black was shooting with a machine gun at police, trying to stop [their] car, and then ran in the eastern direction.”
Gunfire had been heard in three districts of Almaty, security sources said, as cited by TASS new agency.
At least five shooting victims have been rushed to hospital, and the total number of those injured is being determined, local media reported, citing medics.
The areas near police headquarters, as well as near the Department of the National Security Committee have been blocked off by police. The areas near police headquarters, as well as near the Department of the National Security Committee have been blocked off by police. The railway station has also been cordoned off.
A red level anti-terror alert has been announced in the city, meaning the level of danger is critical. It is enacted only when authorities know that a terrorist act has been committed, and that there is still a possibility that more will take place.
An anti-terror operation is underway in Almaty, the local interior ministry said, asking residents not to leave their apartments and avoid public places. Locals have also been asked to inform police of any suspicious people, and treat the situation with understanding.An anti-terror operation is underway in Almaty, the local interior ministry said, asking residents not to leave their apartments and avoid public places. Locals have also been asked to inform police of any suspicious people, and treat the situation with understanding.
“The public will be additionally informed about any changes in the situation,” the interior department press service said.“The public will be additionally informed about any changes in the situation,” the interior department press service said.
READ MORE: Police arrest, kill radical Islamist gang, after attack on military base in KazakhstanREAD MORE: Police arrest, kill radical Islamist gang, after attack on military base in Kazakhstan
Facebook user Bolat Mukashev posted a photo from the scene, saying that the gunfire broke out between unknown attackers and police, with one person “lying inside a car, all covered in blood, and two others just lying in the street.”
Last month, two gun shops were robbed, a bus was hijacked, and a military base in the western Kazakh city of Aktobe came under attack from local Islamists, who killed seven people, and wounded 37, most of whom were servicemen.Last month, two gun shops were robbed, a bus was hijacked, and a military base in the western Kazakh city of Aktobe came under attack from local Islamists, who killed seven people, and wounded 37, most of whom were servicemen.
READ MORE: Kazakhstan issues nationwide ‘yellow’ terrorism alert after Islamist attack on military baseREAD MORE: Kazakhstan issues nationwide ‘yellow’ terrorism alert after Islamist attack on military base
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