A group of militants held some 200 cadets after storming a police facility in southwestern Pakistan. At least 51 people were killed, with dozens more wounded, according to reports.
At least two of those killed were police officers, while another three were the gunmen. Over 200 hostages were rescued by Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG). According to the Dunya News television channel, five or six gunmen were responsible, and the Pakistani army launched an operation at the training facility in the city of Quetta. Daesh has claimed responsibility for the attack, though that claim has not been verified. According to GEO TV, terrorists associated with Laskhar-e-Jhangvi al Almi militant group were behind the attack. One witness claims that the gunmen opened fire upon entering the building. Sources tell Denya that the attackers are wearing suicide vests. “We received intelligence reports three to four days back that terrorists, suicide bombers planned to target Quetta,” said Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, chief minister of Baluchistan, according to GEO News. “Security was already on high alert and maybe that is why they have targeted the police training center on the outskirts of the city.” Pakistan’s Interior Ministry established a control room to monitor the situation, and has expressed confidence in local law enforcement’s ability to resolve the incident. Over 700 cadets train at the facility in total. The capital of Baluchistan Province, Quetta lies in an area filled with Baluch rebels, as well as Taliban militants.
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