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Siege at Pakistan police academy | Siege at Pakistan police academy |
(20 minutes later) | |
An armed group is holed up in a police academy in eastern Pakistan after attacking it with grenades and rifles. | An armed group is holed up in a police academy in eastern Pakistan after attacking it with grenades and rifles. |
Officials say at least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured at the academy, which is near Lahore. | Officials say at least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured at the academy, which is near Lahore. |
Firing was continuing some five hours after it started as troops laid siege to the academy. It was unclear how many people were trapped inside. | |
The attack comes less than a month after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. | The attack comes less than a month after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. |
In that attack, six policemen were killed, while up to 14 gunmen escaped. | In that attack, six policemen were killed, while up to 14 gunmen escaped. |
I saw a man firing a Kalashnikov running towards us Police official Eyewitness: Police academy attack In pictures: Lahore siege | |
Pakistani officials said it was too early to say who was responsible for Monday's assault in Lahore. | Pakistani officials said it was too early to say who was responsible for Monday's assault in Lahore. |
Escalating militant violence in Pakistan has been concentrated in the country's north-west near the border with Afghanistan. | |
But insurgents have increasingly targeted big cities in recent months. | |
Dressed as police | Dressed as police |
The Lahore academy has been named by local media as the Manawan police training school. It is on the outskirts of the city, on a road to the border with India. | The Lahore academy has been named by local media as the Manawan police training school. It is on the outskirts of the city, on a road to the border with India. |
One official said the gunmen had attacked from four sides. Another said they had thrown grenades before starting to fire. | One official said the gunmen had attacked from four sides. Another said they had thrown grenades before starting to fire. |
Several hundred trainees were there when they struck, local TV reports said. | Several hundred trainees were there when they struck, local TV reports said. |
The BBC's Jill McGivering, in Lahore, said that after hours of shooting, a few hostages were seen coming out of the academy. | |
She said helicopters were sweeping low over the compound, apparently trying to move the battle into a final, critical stage. | |
Officials said the gunmen had entered the academy dressed in police uniform, adding to the confusion. | |
The scene is chaotic, our correspondent says, with roads around the site clogged with vehicles and people. | |
A police constable who witnessed the attack told reporters: "We were exercising in the training ground inside the compound when we heard a blast. | |
"A great cloud of dust blew over us and I felt something hit my face," he said. | "A great cloud of dust blew over us and I felt something hit my face," he said. |
"When I touched my face there was blood all over. Then I saw a man firing a Kalashnikov running towards us. | "When I touched my face there was blood all over. Then I saw a man firing a Kalashnikov running towards us. |
"He had a beard and his face was partially covered by a bandanna. Three of my colleagues fell down in the burst of firing. I just turned and ran." | "He had a beard and his face was partially covered by a bandanna. Three of my colleagues fell down in the burst of firing. I just turned and ran." |
TV footage showed several police officers lying motionless on the ground inside the school. | TV footage showed several police officers lying motionless on the ground inside the school. |
Reports gave varying death tolls. Police official Ali Nawaz told The Associated Press that at least 11 people had died, while 40-45 were being treated for injuries. | Reports gave varying death tolls. Police official Ali Nawaz told The Associated Press that at least 11 people had died, while 40-45 were being treated for injuries. |
Police officer Syed Ahmad Mobin told AP it was "complete panic". | Police officer Syed Ahmad Mobin told AP it was "complete panic". |
"We do not have any idea how many the attackers are, and how many of them are dead, or hiding in nearby buildings. We are fighting them," he said. | "We do not have any idea how many the attackers are, and how many of them are dead, or hiding in nearby buildings. We are fighting them," he said. |
Are you in the area? Have you seen or heard anything connected with the attack? Send us your comments using the form below | Are you in the area? Have you seen or heard anything connected with the attack? Send us your comments using the form below |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |