Terrorists attack police training college in Quetta, 60 killed, 3 terrorists neutralised

The training college, which has been targeted in the past, houses at least 600 cadets

Quetta, Oct 25: At least 60 people, mostly cadets were killed and 97 injured after three terrorists stormed a police training college in Quetta, Pakistan on Monday night.

According to reports, the terrorists were in touch with their handlers in Afghanistan. The three terrorists were wearing suicide vests.

The three terrorists attacked the training college at 9.30 pm on Monday. The attackers reportedly entered the complex through the front gate after shooting the guard manning the check post, and the attack started at 9:30 pm.

Senior law enforcement agencies said that assailants had fired at the police training centre from five different points.

Two terrorist reportedly entered the premises after shooting at the guard manning the check post near the front gate, while the third reportedly climbed the rear wall of the police centre.

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up which resulted in the maximum casualties. The third was shot dead by the security forces. It took the security forces nearly four hours to conduct the operation as it required precision, the Dawn reported.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti also confirmed the death toll and said that the clearance operation has been successfully completed.

The attackers were engaged in an intermittent exchange of fire with security forces for several hours, with reports of a hostage situation. At least three terrorists were reportedly killed, with security forces saying the operation has concluded, the Dawn also reported.

Three explosions were reported at the scene by local media, with one journalist saying the explosions rocked the area. Gunfire and explosions were heard from inside the centre, which houses at least 600 cadets, as the terrorists were said to be carrying AK-47s and grenades.

The training college is situated on Sariab Road, which is considered to be one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta. Militants have been targeting security forces in the area for almost a decade.

The training college had come under attack in 2008 and 2006, with attackers firing rockets into the college playground. The college covers about an acre of land located about 13 kilometres outside the main city of Quetta.

OneIndia News