Militant attack on police training centre in Balochistan

Six terrorists stormed a police training centre in Pakistan's province Balochistan on Tuesday, prompting an operation by the military, media reports said.

About five or six militants entered the hostel of the police training centre, which houses nearly 200 cadets and opened fire on recruits.

The attackers are currently inside the building where an intermittent exchange of fire is ongoing with the security forces.

At least 25 people have been injured and are being treated at Civil Hospital, of which five sustained bullet wounds while one is said to be in critical condition, Dawn news reported.

Two loud explosions, which occurred inside the college, were also heard.

Police and army personnel have surrounded the vicinity in large numbers as the operation is continuing inside the premises.

An emergency has been declared at hospitals around the provincial capital.

"I am myself monitoring the situation. Our forces have entered into the centre and soon these terrorists will be eliminated," Geo Tv quoted Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri as saying.

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

The training college has come under attack in the past in 2008 and 2006, with attackers firing rockets into the college playground.

--IANS

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