2009/03/30

12 Die in Bloody Siege at Pakistan Police Academy


A group of gunmen, some in police uniforms, attacked a police academy today and held it for hours, seizing hostages, throwing grenades and killing at least six trainee officers before being overpowered by Pakistani commandos. Four suspected militants were arrested while three blew themselves up in the eight-hour battle to retake the compound on the outskirts of Lahore in eastern Pakistan, said Rao Iftikar, a top government official in Punjab province.
Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said one of the men was an Afghan, and that investigators believe the attack had its roots along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, where Taliban militants have hideouts. Meanwhile, a member of the Pakistani Taliban who used the name Omar Farooq told the Associated Press that a group called Fedayeen al Islam was behind the attack and that he was speaking on their behalf.
"As long as the Pakistan troops do not leave tribal areas, these attacks will continue."

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