Balochistan Hotel Attack: Pak PM Condemns Gwadar Hotel Attack
Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Three heavily-armed terrorists on Saturday, 11 May, stormed a luxury hotel in Pakistan's port city of Gwadar in the restive Balochistan province, leading to a fierce gunbattle in which four persons including the attackers were killed, police said.
The armed men entered the upscale Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel and opened random firing, a senior police official said.
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility of the attack which it said was carried out by the terrorists linked with its Majeed Brigade group.
They shot dead a guard at the entrance, the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langov said that all the three attackers were killed by the security forces.
- A shootout between the terrorists and the security forces broke out at the hotel as the anti-terrorism force, the Army and the Frontier Corps were called in
- The hotel, frequented by business and leisure travellers, is located on the Koh-e-Batil hill, south of West Bay on Fish Harbour road in Gwadar
- Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, rife with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies
Pak PM Condemns Gwadar Hotel Attack
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, May 12, condemned a deadly attack on the luxury hotel in the port city of Gwadar in the troubled Balochistan province, saying the terror strike was an effort to "sabotage" the country's economic projects and prosperity.
"Such attempts especially in Balochistan are an effort to sabotage our economic projects and prosperity. The government will not allow these agendas to succeed," Khan said in a statement issued by his office.
(Source: PTI)
All Three Attackers Killed in Shootout: Balochistan Home Minister
Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langov said that all the three attackers were killed by the security forces.
He said that some of the guests in the hotel were also injured but their number was not immediately known.
Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Claims Responsibility For Attack
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility of the attack which it said was carried out by the terrorists linked with its Majeed Brigade group.
The BLA is one of the most-organised terrorist group of Baloch nationalists fighting against security forces. The group was also involved in the terrorist attack at the Chinese consulate in Karachi last year.
Guard Killed After Terrorists Open Fire at Him
Three terrorists attempted a forced entry into the hotel. A guard at the entrance challenged them after which the terrorists opened fire and killed him, the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. All other guests have been safely evacuated.
Balochistan CM Jam Kamal Khan Alyani Condemns Attack
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani condemned "the terrorists attack" on PC Hotel, and instructed the authorities to "ensure the safety of all inside the hotel", Dawn news reported.
He called for a "well planned and strong action against the terrorists", adding that he is "in touch with police and local administration" regarding the situation.
All Guests Evacuated From Hotel Safely: Pak Media
All foreign and local guests staying at the hotel have been safely evacuated, Express Tribune quoted Balochistan Information Minister Zahoor Buledi as saying, reported AFP.
The hotel, frequented by business and leisure travellers, is located on the Koh-e-Batil hill, south of West Bay on Fish Harbour road in Gwadar.
On 18 April, unidentified gunmen donning uniforms of paramilitary soldiers massacred at least 14 passengers, including Pakistan Navy personnel, after forcing them to disembark from buses on a highway in Balochistan.
Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is Pakistan's largest and poorest province, rife with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies.
China is investing heavily in Balochistan under the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.
Terrorists Storm A 5-Star Hotel in Balochistan’s Gwadar
Firing was underway at the Pearl Continental Hotel after three to four gunmen barged into the facility, Dawn reported quoting Gwadar Station House Officer (SHO) Aslam Bangulzai.
There was no immediate reports of casualties.
"At around 4:50 pm (local time) we got reports that there are three to four armed men in PC Hotel," the officer said.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)