Location of Lahore (in red) in Punjab, Pakistan and (inset) Punjab in Pakistan.
LocationLahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Date15 October 2009
9.40[1] – (UTC+05.00)
Attack type
Shooting and hostage taking
Deaths5 to 7[2] including 3 FIA men, 1 attacker, 1 unidentified.[3] 1 Police constable at Elite Force Training Centre.[2] 38 in total.[4][5]
Injured7 at Elite Police Academy in Bedian.[6]
No. of participants
4 at Federal Investigation Agency's regional headquarters.[7] Up to 20 in total.[8]
DefendersElite Police, Pakistan Rangers

The October 2009 Lahore attacks were simultaneous assaults on three buildings across Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, on 15 October 2009, around 9:15 am local time. The attacks killed 38 and wounded at least 20.[4][5] One group of militants attacked the Regional Headquarters of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), while a second group raided the Manawan Police Training School. The third team of militants attacked the Elite Police Academy.[5][9]

Background

The same Federal Investigation Agency regional headquarters was hit by a suicide car bomb in March 2008. Earlier in the day, a suicide car bomber blew himself up at a police station in Kohat. These and other events have led to Pakistan's preparation for a major operation in Waziristan.[10]

Federal Investigation Agency: Regional Headquarters

According to Punjab Home Secretary Nadeem Hassan Asif, the Federal Investigation Agency's regional headquarters in Lahore was attacked by four individuals. Initial shots killed two attackers, including a suicide bomber.[11] Hostages were taken, including FIA officials; the government responded with a siege lasting 90 minutes. In the end, four government employees, including three FIA agents, and a bystander were killed.[2][3]

Elite Force Training Academy

The Elite Police Academy, situated at Bedian Road 5 kilometers from the Manawan Police Training School (which was also targeted) was attacked by six men in militia uniforms.[3] Six policemen and five militants were killed. Only one militant was killed by the police; the three others were suicide bombers.[5] The battle lasted until afternoon; in the aftermath, a family which was being held hostage was freed.[12]

Manawan Police Training School

Four attackers were dropped off at the training center in a Suzuki van around 9:10 am local time. Two attackers shot and killed the guard at the gate, and then entered the center by scaling the main gate. The two other attackers followed, throwing grenades on their way. One went to the kitchen, another to the patients' barracks, and a third to the barber's salon. One was spotted and gunned down on the lawn. Nine policemen were killed and fifty were injured in the attack, which lasted until about 11:50 am. .[13]

Responsibility

Many such attacks over the past year have been carried out by Taliban or Punjabi militant groups, or, as in the army headquarters attack on 10 October 2009, a combination of both.[4] According to GEO News, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.[14]

Investigations

At least 9 people having links with group behind the attack have been apprehend. A large amount of ammunitions, and maps of sensitive installations were recovered.[15]

Pakistan reactions

  • President Asif Ali Zardari said that this violence will not deter the government from eliminating the extremism.[5]
  • Interior Minister Rehman Malik said, "The enemy has started a guerrilla war. The whole nation should be united against these handful of terrorists, and God willing we will defeat them."[2]
  • Punjab Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the police were trying to take some of the militants alive so information could be extracted from them.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Four gunmen attack Pakistani police in Lahore". Samaa.tv. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Pakistan: Gunmen attack 3 sites in east, 8 killed". Associated Press. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 "Lahore: several killed as 3 security forces buildings targeted". The News International. 15 October 2009. Archived from the original on 20 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Walsh, Declan (15 October 2009). "Dozens killed as militants attack Pakistan police buildings". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Gunmen, bomber hit 4 sites in Pakistan, kill 26". Associated Press. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  6. ↑ "Terrorists rock Lahore with multiple attacks, 14 dead". Dawn. Pakistan. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  7. ↑ "Gunmen attack two police centres in Pakistan's Lahore". 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  8. ↑ "Police Buildings in Pakistan Under Attack". Sky News. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  9. ↑ "Militants launch multiple attacks in Lahore, 14 dead" Dawn News, 15 October 2009
  10. ↑ "Lahore: 16 people killed in attack on police station". Samaa.tv. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Pakistan: police stations targeted in wave of attacks". The Daily Telegraph. London. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  12. ↑ "Spate of attacks leaves 27 dead, 30 injured in Lahore". Dawn. Pakistan. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  13. ↑ "Terrorists descend on Lahore; five civilians, 12 policemen killed". Dawn. Pakistan. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  14. ↑ Hussain, Zahid; Rehmat Mehsud (15 October 2009). "Wave of Deadly Attacks in Pakistan". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 October 2009. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the Lahore attacks, according to a private TV news channel, GEO News.
  15. ↑ "Network involved in Lahore mayhem traced". Geo.tv. 22 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 October 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
External videos
video icon Lahore FIA Building Firing
video icon Arms & Ammunition Recovered Visuals – Bedian, Lahore

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