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Explosion shakes Kazakhstan city Kazakhstan: Taraz city attack kills at least three
(about 3 hours later)
An explosion has hit the southern Kazakh city of Taraz, close to government buildings. At least three people have been killed in an armed assault in the southern Kazakh city of Taraz.
The blast happened in the centre of the city, which is cordoned-off with helicopters flying overhead, says the Interfax news agency. Reports say an attacker raided a gun shop before shooting several people and setting off at least one explosion.
Local media reports say three people were killed, but there is no confirmation so far. The blast happened in the centre of the city - it is unclear whether more than one person was involved.
The explosion is unusual for Kazakhstan, but follows a handful of bomb attacks earlier this year. The assault is unusual for Kazakhstan, but follows a handful of bomb attacks in recent months.
An Islamist militant group has said it carried out two such attacks in the western Kazakh city of Atyrau in October. Local reports say the weapons seized in the raid on the gun shop were used to attack a police post.
The reports say the police then tried to arrest a man, who detonated explosives, killing himself and a police officer.
A similar assault took place in the western Kazakh city of Atyrau in October, when two bombs were detonated.
A previously unknown Islamist militant group, Jund al-Khilafah (Soldiers of the Caliphate), said it was responsible for that attack.
Until this year, oil-rich Kazakhstan had not experienced the militant activity seen in some of its Central Asia neighbours.Until this year, oil-rich Kazakhstan had not experienced the militant activity seen in some of its Central Asia neighbours.