<p>The&nbsp;Pakistan-based militant organisation, Al-Alami faction of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) group said on Wednesday that it had carried out the attack on the police training facility in Quetta with the Islamic State&#39;s support.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Islamic State group released photographs of the attackers which killed at least 61 police cadets in the massive midnight raid at the training centre in Balochistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asked whether the two had worked together, Ali bin Sufyan, a spokesman for LeJ Al-Alami, told AFP: &quot;Yes, of course&quot;, adding: &quot;We are ready to work with all the groups in Pakistan whether they belong to ISIS or al-Qaeda&quot;. LeJ is a former affiliate of al-Qaeda.</p>

<p>This has been the strongest evidence to date that the IS group has built links in Pakistan, and could pose a key rival to al-Qaeda, which is rapidly losing strength in what was once its &quot;home ground&quot;. The extent of the material assistance to local groups from the IS remains unclear.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/quetta-terror-attack-as-quetta-bleeds-pakistan-must-remember-what-is-at-stake-7947/">Also&nbsp;read the opinion piece on Quetta attack here:&nbsp;As Quetta bleeds, Pakistan must remember what is at stake</a></p>

<p>A military source claimed, &quot;the militant groups including Al-Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban have been completely dismantled and those left out are now regrouping and attempting to become part of IS.&quot;</p>

<p>The vacuum has created opportunities for IS to step in and develop new relationships with local militants in need of financial and logistical support, a militant source added.</p>

<p>Last month, Pakistan&#39;s military admitted for the first time that the IS had a presence in the country but said it had detained hundreds of its militants and prevented them from carrying out major attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And officials say rank-and-file LeJ members were among the first Pakistani militants to travel to Syria after IS announced its so-called Caliphate.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from AFP)<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The extent of support from the Islamic State is unclear, but Pakistani military last month admitted to the group's presence in the country

The Pakistan-based militant organisation, Al-Alami faction of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) group said on Wednesday that it had carried out the attack on the police training facility in Quetta with the Islamic State's support. The Islamic State group released photographs of the attackers which killed at least 61 police cadets in the massive midnight raid at the training centre in Balochistan. Asked whether the two had worked together, Ali bin Sufyan, a spokesman for LeJ Al-Alami, told AFP: "Yes, of course", adding: "We are ready to work with all the groups in Pakistan whether they belong to ISIS or al-Qaeda". LeJ is a former affiliate of al-Qaeda. This has been the strongest evidence to date that the IS group has built links in Pakistan, and could pose a key rival to al-Qaeda, which is rapidly losing strength in what was once its "home ground". The extent of the material assistance to local groups from the IS remains unclear. Also read the opinion piece on Quetta attack here: As Quetta bleeds, Pakistan must remember what is at stake A military source claimed, "the militant groups including Al-Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban have been completely dismantled and those left out are now regrouping and attempting to become part of IS." The vacuum has created opportunities for IS to step in and develop new relationships with local militants in need of financial and logistical support, a militant source added. Last month, Pakistan's military admitted for the first time that the IS had a presence in the country but said it had detained hundreds of its militants and prevented them from carrying out major attacks. And officials say rank-and-file LeJ members were among the first Pakistani militants to travel to Syria after IS announced its so-called Caliphate. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Quetta terror attack: Pakistan-based militant group LeJ claims IS support in attack on police college

<p>The 24 October attack at a police training academy in Quetta, Balochistan has once again highlighted the complexity and multitude of security challenges that Pakistan faces. The attack saw three gunmen taking students hostage and triggering two suicide bombs which killed 61 police cadets and injured over 120 others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The brutal attack echoes of the series of terrorist attacks that Pakistan has witnessed in the last few years, including the December 2014 massacre in Peshawar, the January 2016 assault on Bacha Khan University, the March 2016 suicide bomb attack in Lahore and the most recent August 2016 suicide bomb in Quetta. It is a stinging reminder for Pakistan that it has miles to go before such attacks cease to happen.</p>

<p>The government had earlier stated that the attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a Sunni supremacist militant group that is affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Pakistani Taliban. While the group has not officially confirmed this, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is disturbing given that Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (a faction of the TTP) and ISIS carried out the bombing in August 2016 which killed 70 civil servants and lawyers at the Quetta Civil Hospital. Despite growing evidence of militant factions and online recruits being involved in terrorist activities, Pakistan has repeatedly stated that the IS has no organisational presence in Pakistan. The recent attack should bring them to the realisation and acceptance that the Islamic State is a serious threat. Its collusion with homegrown terror outfits, such as the TTP makes it an even more grim and dangerous adversary.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The recent attack should bring Pakistan to the realisation and acceptance that the Islamic State is a serious threat. Its collusion with homegrown terror outfits, such as the TTP makes it an even more grim and dangerous adversary.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The recent attack should bring Pakistan to the realisation and acceptance that the Islamic State is a serious threat. Its collusion with homegrown terror outfits, such as the TTP makes it an even more grim and dangerous adversary." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Few days before the December 2014 attack at the Army Public School in Peshawar that killed 169 students and teachers, the military announced its counter-terrorism operation Zarb-e-Azb. It was expected to root out militancy from Pakistan&rsquo;s tribal areas along its border with Afghanistan. Since then the military, arguably, has&nbsp; had some success in this regard. While the army has cracked down on terror groups operating in the area, the operations have led to a mass displacement of militants across the border into Afghanistan and into other parts of Pakistan. This has forced thousands of militants to join the Afghan Taliban and the Islamic State. While the latter operates in areas along Afghanistan&rsquo;s eastern border, the former continues to threaten the Kabul government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Groups such as the Pakistani Taliban have remained resilient and resourceful in spite of the army&rsquo;s operations and the frequency and intensity of the recent attacks suggest a greater coordination between the TTP and its factions and the Islamic State. Any such alliance spells serious danger for Pakistan.</p>

<p>The recent attacks should be a wake-up call for the military. Pakistan has a history of differentiating between good and bad terrorists, and while it has cracked down on groups such as the TTP that threatened Pakistan&rsquo;s internal security, it has helped groups that attack Afghanistan and India to flourish. Its support for the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad has not only been one of the root causes of terrorism in South Asia but has also had the reverse effect of threatening Pakistan&rsquo;s survival. Pakistan&rsquo;s duplicity in assisting the Afghan Taliban and killing members of the Paksitan Taliban has cost it greatly and the TTP&rsquo;s attacks in Balochistan are a consequence of that.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Pakistan has a history of differentiating between good and bad terrorists</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text= Pakistan has a history of differentiating between good and bad terrorists" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Quetta as the capital of Balochistan has suffered from attacks not only from militants but also from Baloch separatists, each with a separate intention. Violent attacks by Baloch separatists seek to break Balochistan away from the Pakistan state; militants and terror attacks are intended to attack and destabilise the state. This is why recent attacks have targeted those supporting the government or the system in some way, for instance, lawyers, civil servants, and police cadets.</p>

<p>Balochistan also provides an attractive target for militants as it is home to the $46 billion China-Pakistan-Economic- Corridor (CPEC) that extends from China&rsquo;s Xinjiang province to the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan. Pakistan has repeatedly assured China of the security of the port and of the CPEC project in general. However, regular attacks in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan are sure to aggravate any fears that the Chinese might be having. The attack in Quetta, therefore, should not only be understood as a brutal attack on Pakistan&rsquo;s civil society but also as an attack on the stability and future of Pakistan&rsquo;s economic dream project.</p>

<p>Such attacks question Pakistan&rsquo;s earnestness on fighting terrorism and demonstrate the failure of the government and the military to successfully create a national counter-terrorism agenda. The National Action Plan (NAP), which was implemented after the 2015 Peshawar attack, aimed to strengthen the capacity-building of civilian institutions to deal with terrorism. While the military has arrested numerous suspected militants and enforced crackdowns on some militant organizations, especially in North Waziristan and Karachi, key elements of the NAP remain unused and forgotten.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NAP lays emphasis on countering militancy on the internet, however, the government has done little in controlling terrorist and militant propaganda both on the internet and offline. In addition, there is no clarity as to which organisation in the government is responsible for this. The set up of military courts to fast track terror cases and the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty was met with much support among civil society. However, such actions are short term solutions to a complex problem. The government must realise this and simultaneously work on strengthening the civilian judicial system to try terror cases. It also needs to address problems in the system that allow terrorists and militants to walk away scot-free.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The government has done little in controlling terrorist and militant propaganda both on the internet and offline</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The government has done little in controlling terrorist and militant propaganda both on the internet and offline" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week, the Pakistan government froze the bank assets of over 5,100 militants including Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad. However, such action is symbolic and not rooted in a change of attitude. Increasing pressure from the United States to act against terrorists has led Pakistan government to take this step and it is unlikely that they will see it through the end. That being said, Pakistan must realise that by choking terrorists&rsquo; funds, in investigating cases of terror-financing and through prevention of fund-raising by militant organisations, it can begin a slow path of course- correction and redeem itself steadily in the eyes of the world. Until then, the death of innocent police cadets will not be the last time Quetta and Pakistan bleeds.</p>


Terror attacks demonstrate the failure of the Pakistani government to successfully create a national counter-terrorism agenda

The 24 October attack at a police training academy in Quetta, Balochistan has once again highlighted the complexity and multitude of security challenges that Pakistan faces. The attack saw three gunmen taking students hostage and triggering two suicide bombs which killed 61 police cadets and injured over 120 others. The brutal attack echoes of the series of terrorist attacks that Pakistan has witnessed in the last few years, including the December 2014 massacre in Peshawar, the January 2016 assault on Bacha Khan University, the March 2016 suicide bomb attack in Lahore and the most recent August 2016 suicide bomb in Quetta. It is a stinging reminder for Pakistan that it has miles to go before such attacks cease to happen. The government had earlier stated that the attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a Sunni supremacist militant group that is affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Pakistani Taliban. While the group has not officially confirmed this, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. This is disturbing given that Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (a faction of the TTP) and ISIS carried out the bombing in August 2016 which killed 70 civil servants and lawyers at the Quetta Civil Hospital. Despite growing evidence of militant factions and online recruits being involved in terrorist activities, Pakistan has repeatedly stated that the IS has no organisational presence in Pakistan. The recent attack should bring them to the realisation and acceptance that the Islamic State is a serious threat. Its collusion with homegrown terror outfits, such as the TTP makes it an even more grim and dangerous adversary. The recent attack should bring Pakistan to the realisation and acceptance that the Islamic State is a serious threat. Its collusion with homegrown terror outfits, such as the TTP makes it an even more grim and dangerous adversary. × Few days before the December 2014 attack at the Army Public School in Peshawar that killed 169 students and teachers, the military announced its counter-terrorism operation Zarb-e-Azb. It was expected to root out militancy from Pakistan’s tribal areas along its border with Afghanistan. Since then the military, arguably, has had some success in this regard. While the army has cracked down on terror groups operating in the area, the operations have led to a mass displacement of militants across the border into Afghanistan and into other parts of Pakistan. This has forced thousands of militants to join the Afghan Taliban and the Islamic State. While the latter operates in areas along Afghanistan’s eastern border, the former continues to threaten the Kabul government. Groups such as the Pakistani Taliban have remained resilient and resourceful in spite of the army’s operations and the frequency and intensity of the recent attacks suggest a greater coordination between the TTP and its factions and the Islamic State. Any such alliance spells serious danger for Pakistan. The recent attacks should be a wake-up call for the military. Pakistan has a history of differentiating between good and bad terrorists, and while it has cracked down on groups such as the TTP that threatened Pakistan’s internal security, it has helped groups that attack Afghanistan and India to flourish. Its support for the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad has not only been one of the root causes of terrorism in South Asia but has also had the reverse effect of threatening Pakistan’s survival. Pakistan’s duplicity in assisting the Afghan Taliban and killing members of the Paksitan Taliban has cost it greatly and the TTP’s attacks in Balochistan are a consequence of that. Pakistan has a history of differentiating between good and bad terrorists × Quetta as the capital of Balochistan has suffered from attacks not only from militants but also from Baloch separatists, each with a separate intention. Violent attacks by Baloch separatists seek to break Balochistan away from the Pakistan state; militants and terror attacks are intended to attack and destabilise the state. This is why recent attacks have targeted those supporting the government or the system in some way, for instance, lawyers, civil servants, and police cadets. Balochistan also provides an attractive target for militants as it is home to the $46 billion China-Pakistan-Economic- Corridor (CPEC) that extends from China’s Xinjiang province to the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan. Pakistan has repeatedly assured China of the security of the port and of the CPEC project in general. However, regular attacks in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan are sure to aggravate any fears that the Chinese might be having. The attack in Quetta, therefore, should not only be understood as a brutal attack on Pakistan’s civil society but also as an attack on the stability and future of Pakistan’s economic dream project. Such attacks question Pakistan’s earnestness on fighting terrorism and demonstrate the failure of the government and the military to successfully create a national counter-terrorism agenda. The National Action Plan (NAP), which was implemented after the 2015 Peshawar attack, aimed to strengthen the capacity-building of civilian institutions to deal with terrorism. While the military has arrested numerous suspected militants and enforced crackdowns on some militant organizations, especially in North Waziristan and Karachi, key elements of the NAP remain unused and forgotten. NAP lays emphasis on countering militancy on the internet, however, the government has done little in controlling terrorist and militant propaganda both on the internet and offline. In addition, there is no clarity as to which organisation in the government is responsible for this. The set up of military courts to fast track terror cases and the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty was met with much support among civil society. However, such actions are short term solutions to a complex problem. The government must realise this and simultaneously work on strengthening the civilian judicial system to try terror cases. It also needs to address problems in the system that allow terrorists and militants to walk away scot-free. The government has done little in controlling terrorist and militant propaganda both on the internet and offline × Last week, the Pakistan government froze the bank assets of over 5,100 militants including Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad. However, such action is symbolic and not rooted in a change of attitude. Increasing pressure from the United States to act against terrorists has led Pakistan government to take this step and it is unlikely that they will see it through the end. That being said, Pakistan must realise that by choking terrorists’ funds, in investigating cases of terror-financing and through prevention of fund-raising by militant organisations, it can begin a slow path of course- correction and redeem itself steadily in the eyes of the world. Until then, the death of innocent police cadets will not be the last time Quetta and Pakistan bleeds.

Quetta terror attack: As Quetta bleeds, Pakistan must remember what is at stake

<p>A militant attack on a police training academy in Pakistan&#39;s western city of Quetta has left at least 61&nbsp;people dead, international news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan on Tuesday mourned the killing of the people in&nbsp;the deadliest attack on a security installation in the country`s history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The home minister of Balochistan province, Sarfaraz Bugti, said the attack &ndash; which began last night at 11.30 pm local time on Monday&nbsp;&ndash; was carried out by three militants&nbsp;and not six as was previously estimated by the&nbsp;Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bugti said two of the three gunmen blew themselves up to avoid being captured and that the third militant was killed in a gunfight with Pakistani security forces.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bugti had previously pegged the death toll at 44,&nbsp;but rescue officials updated the figure to at least 59.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban,&nbsp;senior Pakistan Army officer Sher Afghan told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The militants had communicated with handlers in Afghanistan and had taken instructions from them, he added.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attackers stormed the front gate of the Balochistan Police College, gunning down a policeman manning the only entrance to the academy.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were some 700 police cadets on campus when the attack began.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of the&nbsp;injured, some of whom are in critical condition, have been admitted to three diferent hospitals in Quetta &mdash;&nbsp;Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College Hospital, and Military Hospital.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bugti said a Frontier Corps official and a captain were among the injured.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Security forces, including the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Army light brigade, have cleared 95 per cent of the college area,&quot; Bugti said, when asked about the combing operation that got under way after the gunmen were dead.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the training centre and directed provincial and federal authorities to crack down on the perpetrators.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The police training centre&nbsp;is considered one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province. It has previously come&nbsp;under attack in 2006&nbsp;and 2008. In 2006,&nbsp;attackers had fired rockets into the college courtyard.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the United States also extended its condolences. &quot;We stand with the people of Pakistan and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism,&quot; State Department spokesperson John Kirby said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


Two of the attackers reportedly blew themselves up to avoid being captured, the third was killed in a gun battle with security forces

A militant attack on a police training academy in Pakistan's western city of Quetta has left at least 61 people dead, international news agency AFP reported. Pakistan on Tuesday mourned the killing of the people in the deadliest attack on a security installation in the country`s history. The home minister of Balochistan province, Sarfaraz Bugti, said the attack – which began last night at 11.30 pm local time on Monday – was carried out by three militants and not six as was previously estimated by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Bugti said two of the three gunmen blew themselves up to avoid being captured and that the third militant was killed in a gunfight with Pakistani security forces. Bugti had previously pegged the death toll at 44, but rescue officials updated the figure to at least 59. The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, senior Pakistan Army officer Sher Afghan told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn. The militants had communicated with handlers in Afghanistan and had taken instructions from them, he added. The attackers stormed the front gate of the Balochistan Police College, gunning down a policeman manning the only entrance to the academy. There were some 700 police cadets on campus when the attack began. Most of the injured, some of whom are in critical condition, have been admitted to three diferent hospitals in Quetta — Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College Hospital, and Military Hospital. Bugti said a Frontier Corps official and a captain were among the injured. "Security forces, including the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Army light brigade, have cleared 95 per cent of the college area," Bugti said, when asked about the combing operation that got under way after the gunmen were dead. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the training centre and directed provincial and federal authorities to crack down on the perpetrators. The police training centre is considered one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province. It has previously come under attack in 2006 and 2008. In 2006, attackers had fired rockets into the college courtyard. Meanwhile, the United States also extended its condolences. "We stand with the people of Pakistan and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism," State Department spokesperson John Kirby said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Quetta attack: At least 61 dead in Pakistan after 3 militants storm police college

<p>A militant attack on a police training academy in Pakistan&#39;s western city of Quetta has left at least 58 people dead and a 118 injured.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The home minister of Balochistan province, Sarfaraz Bugti, said the attack &ndash; which began last night at 11.30 pm local time &ndash; was carried out by three militants&nbsp;and not six as was previously estimated by the&nbsp;Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).</p>

<p>Bugti said two of the three gunmen blew themselves up to avoid being captured and that the third militant was killed in a gunfight with Pakistani security forces.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Bugti had previously pegged the death toll at 44,&nbsp;but rescue officials updated the figure to 58.</p>

<p>&quot;In the early morning, we have the latest death toll of 58 people who died during the attack last night,&quot; doctor Nasir Sumalani at&nbsp;Quetta&#39;s government hospital told AFP.</p>

<p>The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban,&nbsp;senior Pakistan Army officer Sher Afghan told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn.</p>

<p>The militants had communicated with handlers in Afghanistan and had taken instructions from them, he added.</p>

<p>The attackers stormed the front gate of the Balochistan Police College, gunning down a policeman manning the only entrance to the academy.</p>

<p>There were some 700 police cadets on campus when the attack began.</p>

<p>Most of the&nbsp;injured, some of whom are in critical condition, have been admitted to three diferent hospitals in Quetta &mdash;&nbsp;Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College Hospital, and Military Hospital.</p>

<p>Bugti said a Frontier Corps official and a captain were among the injured.</p>

<p>&quot;Security forces, including the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Army light brigade, have cleared 95 per cent of the college area,&quot; Bugti said, when asked about the combing operation that got under way after the gunmen were dead.</p>

<p>Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the training centre and directed provincial and federal authorities to crack down on the perpetrators.</p>

<p>The police training centre&nbsp;is considered one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province. It has previously come&nbsp;under attack in 2006&nbsp;and 2008. In 2006,&nbsp;attackers had fired rockets into the college courtyard.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the United States also extended its condolences. &quot;We stand with the people of Pakistan and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism,&quot; State Department spokesperson John Kirby said.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


A militant attack on a police training academy in Pakistan's western city of Quetta has left at least 58 people dead and a 118 injured. The home minister of Balochistan province, Sarfaraz Bugti, said the attack – which began last night at 11.30 pm local time – was carried out by three militants and not six as was previously estimated by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Bugti said two of the three gunmen blew themselves up to avoid being captured and that the third militant was killed in a gunfight with Pakistani security forces. The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban × Bugti had previously pegged the death toll at 44, but rescue officials updated the figure to 58. "In the early morning, we have the latest death toll of 58 people who died during the attack last night," doctor Nasir Sumalani at Quetta's government hospital told AFP. The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, senior Pakistan Army officer Sher Afghan told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn. The militants had communicated with handlers in Afghanistan and had taken instructions from them, he added. The attackers stormed the front gate of the Balochistan Police College, gunning down a policeman manning the only entrance to the academy. There were some 700 police cadets on campus when the attack began. Most of the injured, some of whom are in critical condition, have been admitted to three diferent hospitals in Quetta — Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College Hospital, and Military Hospital. Bugti said a Frontier Corps official and a captain were among the injured. "Security forces, including the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Army light brigade, have cleared 95 per cent of the college area," Bugti said, when asked about the combing operation that got under way after the gunmen were dead. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the training centre and directed provincial and federal authorities to crack down on the perpetrators. The police training centre is considered one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province. It has previously come under attack in 2006 and 2008. In 2006, attackers had fired rockets into the college courtyard. Meanwhile, the United States also extended its condolences. "We stand with the people of Pakistan and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism," State Department spokesperson John Kirby said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Quetta terror attack: 58 dead in Pakistan after 3 militants storm police college

quetta-terror-attack

Quetta Terror Attack, News on Quetta Terror Attack, stories on Quetta Terror Attack, articles on Quetta Terror Attack, Quetta Terror Attack stories at Wion, Quetta Terror Attack news, Quetta Terror Attack latest news

quetta terror-attack

Quetta terror attack: Pakistan-based militant group LeJ claims IS support in attack on police college

Quetta terror attack: As Quetta bleeds, Pakistan must remember what is at stake

Quetta attack: At least 61 dead in Pakistan after 3 militants storm police college

Quetta terror attack: 58 dead in Pakistan after 3 militants storm police college