Pakistani militants attack Quetta police college, trapping at least 250 people

An injured person is rushed to a hospital after an attack in Queeta, Pakistan.

(Image credit: AP Photo/Arshad Butt)

published 24 October 2016

At least five armed militants attacked a police training college near Quetta, Pakistan, on Monday, leaving at least 250 cadets and staff trapped. The New York Times reported "heavy exchanges of gunfire between the attackers and the security forces," and dozens of people are reported injured, including police recruits, though the full count is unclear. Army commandos are reportedly in the process of clearing the training college's premises.

Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, the chief minister of the Baluchistan Province, of which Quetta is the capital city, said there had been "intelligence reports three to four days back that terrorists [or] suicide bombers planned to target Quetta." "Security was already on high alert, and maybe that is why they have targeted the police training center on the outskirts of the city," Zehri said. The training college is located about nine miles outside of Quetta.