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Quetta police college attack leaves dozens dead | Quetta police college attack leaves dozens dead |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 48 cadets and guards have been killed after militants attacked a police college in the Pakistani city of Quetta, officials say. | |
A major security operation lasted for hours after the attackers entered the building and opened fire. | A major security operation lasted for hours after the attackers entered the building and opened fire. |
Officials say three militants wearing suicide bomb vests stormed the college - all three were killed. | |
Hundreds of trainees were evacuated from Balochistan Police College as troops arrived to repel the militants. | Hundreds of trainees were evacuated from Balochistan Police College as troops arrived to repel the militants. |
Pakistan's army and the paramilitary Frontier Corps took part in the military counter-operation, which Balochistan provincial home minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said was now over. | Pakistan's army and the paramilitary Frontier Corps took part in the military counter-operation, which Balochistan provincial home minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said was now over. |
"I saw three men in camouflage whose faces were hidden carrying Kalashnikovs," one cadet said according to AFP news agency. "They started firing and entered the dormitory but I managed to escape over a wall." The police academy is home to about 600 students. | |
Two of the militants died after detonating their bomb vests and one was killed by security forces, he said. | Two of the militants died after detonating their bomb vests and one was killed by security forces, he said. |
Many of the cadets were killed by the blasts, said Major General Sher Afgan of the Frontier Corps. | Many of the cadets were killed by the blasts, said Major General Sher Afgan of the Frontier Corps. |
He blamed a faction of the Lashker-e-Jhangvi militant group and said the attackers "were in communication with operatives in Afghanistan". | He blamed a faction of the Lashker-e-Jhangvi militant group and said the attackers "were in communication with operatives in Afghanistan". |
No group has so far said it was behind the attack, which happened late on Monday. At least three explosions were reported at the scene by local media. | |
There was intermittent exchange of fire between the attackers and security forces for several hours, according to Dawn newspaper. There were also reports of a hostage situation. | |
More than 100 people, mostly trainees, were injured. | More than 100 people, mostly trainees, were injured. |
Earlier in the day, two customs officers were shot dead and another critically wounded in Surab, south of Quetta. | Earlier in the day, two customs officers were shot dead and another critically wounded in Surab, south of Quetta. |
Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan, where separatist groups and Islamist militants have both carried out similar attacks in the past. | Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan, where separatist groups and Islamist militants have both carried out similar attacks in the past. |
In August, 88 people were killed in separate bomb attacks targeting a hospital and lawyers in Quetta. | In August, 88 people were killed in separate bomb attacks targeting a hospital and lawyers in Quetta. |
The Pakistani military has been conducting military operations against militants in volatile tribal areas near the Afghan border. | The Pakistani military has been conducting military operations against militants in volatile tribal areas near the Afghan border. |