Terrorists attack Police Training College in Quetta
FC and ATF have cordoned off the facility, report sources
QUETTA (Dunya News) – Some five to six terrorists attacked Police Training College at the Sariab Road in Quetta on Monday night, taking more that 200 recruits as hostage as security forces arrived at the scene to carry out an operation.
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Sources said that 12 security forces officials embraced martyrdom while four attackers were killed in exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists. At least 107 persons, including five security forces officials, were also wounded in the attack
More than 200 police recruits have been taken hostage by the attackers. The attack occurred at the Police Training College located 20 kilometres to the south of the city at around 11:30 pm. Gunfire continued to ring out from the site.
A heavy exchange of fire is continuing from both sides at the Police Training College. Two bomb blasts were also reportedly heard at the police facility.
Sources said that India’s RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and Afghanistan’s NDS (National Directorate of Security) are behind the attack.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that five to six terrorists stormed the police facility while contingents of army, Frontier Corps (FC) and other law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene and launched an operation. Pakistan Army is leading the agencies in the operation.
Sources said that helicopters and drones are also being used for surveillance. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Over 700 cadets train at the facility while 200 of them have been taken hostage. At least 107 persons were reportedly injured in the combat. Authorities have stated that state of emergency was declared in different hospitals of Quetta.
Sources said that 12 security forces officials embraced martyrdom while four attackers were killed in exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists. The security forces have also rescued over 100 recruits during the operation.
A survivor reported after successful escape that gunmen opened fire as they stormed the training facility. All the terrorists entered the complex from the rear.
Interior Ministry has established a control room to monitor the situation.
Sarfraz Bugti, Home Minister of Balochistan has expressed confidence in law enforcers’ capability to take control of the situation. While talking to Dunya News, Bugti said that Chief Minister (CM) Sanaullah Zehri has imposed emergency in hospitals and a rescue operation was underway. He said that all wounded personnel were shifted to Civil Hospital.
Sources privy to the law enforcers have reported that terrorists have suicide vests on.
Quetta, capital of country’s largest province has been on the hit list of outlawed outfits among different cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and other parts of country for years.
This is a developing story and will be updated shortly
