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Siege at Pakistan police academy Siege at Pakistan police academy
(about 1 hour 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, on the outskirts of Lahore.Officials say at least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured at the academy, on the outskirts of Lahore.
Firing was continuing more than five hours after it began as troops laid siege to the academy. It is unclear how many people are trapped inside. Firing was continuing more than five hours after it began as troops tried to retake the academy. It is unclear how many people are 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 I saw a man firing a Kalashnikov running towards us Police official href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7971609.stm"> 'I saw the attackers' class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7971345.stm"> Eyewitness: Police academy attack In pictures: Lahore siege
Pakistani officials say it is too early to say who is responsible for Monday's assault in Lahore.Pakistani officials say it is too early to say who is 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.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.But insurgents have increasingly targeted big cities in recent months.
Compound surroundedCompound surrounded
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 understood to be inside when they struck.
Some 10-12 gunmen carried out the attack, officials said. Some 10-12 gunmen carried out the attack, officials said. They said they had taken one man carrying explosives into custody near the compound.
Troops were called in and secured the area around the academy. Troops were called in and secured the ground around the academy. They blew up sections of the compound wall to get better access.
"Our elite squad has surrounded the area," said senior police official Mushtaq Sukhera."Our elite squad has surrounded the area," said senior police official Mushtaq Sukhera.
"God willing, now we will get into the building.""God willing, now we will get into the building."
The BBC's Jill McGivering, in Lahore, said that after hours of shooting, several hostages were seen coming out. The BBC's Jill McGivering, in Lahore, said that after several hours of firing there were a series of explosions as security forces apparently tried to force their way into the main building.
She said helicopters were sweeping low over the compound, apparently trying to move the battle into a final, critical stage. Helicopters were sweeping low over the compound, she said, as they tried to move the battle into a final, critical stage.
Dressed as police At one point, several hostages were seen coming out.
'Dressed as police'
The scene is chaotic, our correspondent says, with roads around the site clogged with vehicles and people.The scene is chaotic, our correspondent says, with roads around the site clogged with vehicles and people.
Officials and witnesses said the gunmen had entered the academy dressed in police uniform, adding to the confusion.Officials and witnesses said the gunmen had entered the academy dressed in police uniform, adding to the confusion.
A police constable who witnessed the attack told reporters: "We were exercising in the training ground inside the compound when we heard a blast. MAJOR PAKISTAN ATTACKS 27 March 09: Suicide bomber demolishes crowded mosque near the north-western town of Jamrud, killing dozens. 3 March 09: Six policemen and a driver killed, and several cricketers injured, in ambush on Sri Lanka cricket team in central Lahore20 Sept 08: 54 die in an attack on the Marriott hotel in Islamabad6 Sept 08: Suicide car bombing kills 35 and wounds 80 at a police checkpoint in Peshawar Aug 08: Twin suicide bombings at gates of a weapons factory in town of Wah leave 67 deadMarch 08: Suicide bombs hit police headquarters and suburban house in Lahore, killing 24 Dec 07: Former PM Benazir Bhutto assassinated along with 20 others at a Rawalpindi rally
One police constable 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.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 official Ali Nawaz told The Associated Press that at least 11 people had died.
As many as 70 people were injured.
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