PAKISTAN: Gunmen attack Pakistan army headquarters in Rawalpindi

Record ID: 352821

  • Title: PAKISTAN: Gunmen attack Pakistan army headquarters in Rawalpindi
  • Date: 11th October 2009
  • Summary: RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN (OCTOBER 10, 2009) (REUTERS) WIDE OF AREA OUTSIDE ARMY HEADQUARTERS/ 'ELITE FORCE' COMMANDOES STANDING/ AMBULANCE SIGN READING "GENERAL HEADQUARTERS" COMMANDOES HOLDING GUNS STANDING ON ALERT POLICE VAN/COMMANDO ON MAIN SQUARE OUTSIDE ARMY HEADQUARTERS TRAFFIC POLICE CONSTABLE STANDING BY TRAFFIC POLICE VAN AMBULANCE AND TRAFFIC POLICE CAR COMMA
  • Embargoed: 26th October 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Pakistan
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVAAWSMSUTJRAVC8HH8ZCMFIXW6V
  • Story Text: Two gunmen remain on the loose after attack on Pakistani army headquarters.
    Suspected militants dressed in army uniforms attacked Pakistan's army headquarters on Saturday (October 10), killing four guards and triggering a battle in which four gunmen were killed, military officials said.
    The brazen attack on the tightly guarded headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi came as the army prepares a major offensive against Pakistani Taliban militants in their northwestern stronghold on the Afghan border.
    The gunmen drove in a white van to a main gate at the sprawling complex, opening fire and throwing at least one grenade when challenged, security officials said.
    The gunmen then exchanged fire with soldiers for about 40 minutes. Four gunmen and four guards were killed but two of the gunmen escaped, military officials said.
    "Two terrorists are still missing, a search operation is on," said a military official who declined to be identified.
    Another military official said some firing had been heard and a helicopter was helping in the search for the two gunmen.
    Dawn television said the fleeing gunmen had taken two military men hostage.
    Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants have launched numerous attacks in Pakistan over the past couple of years, most aimed at the security forces and government and foreign targets.
    The militants have attacked military targets in Rawalpindi before.
    The attack came a day after a suspected suicide car-bomber killed 49 people in the city of Peshawar in an attack the government said underscored the need for the all-out offensive.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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