SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS ON THREE SECURITY INSTALLATIONS IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAHORE 000198 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER PK SUBJECT: SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS ON THREE SECURITY INSTALLATIONS IN LAHORE - - SITREP 1 REF: LAHORE 000064 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: At least 30 terrorists, armed with grenades, guns, and suicide bomb vests simultaneously attacked three police facilities in Lahore on October 15 - Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Regional Headquarters, the Punjab Elite Police Force Training Academy, and the Manawan Police Training Center. Preliminary reports placed the total number of casualties at 27. Investigations are ongoing to confirm number of casualties and attackers at each location. Police sources have not publicly revealed any information about the perpetrators of the attacks, although television stations have repeatedly shown a man being taken into custody at the FIA. Media are reporting that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is claiming responsibility for the attacks. -------------- Description of Attacks -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Five unidentified terrorists attacked Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Regional Headquarters on Temple Road, one mile northwest of Consulate Lahore. The attack started at approximately 0915L on October 15. Attackers armed with grenades and guns laid siege to the building for two hours. FIA personnel engaged the attackers. Eight people died, including three security personnel and two of the attackers. Two attackers were reportedly captured alive. FIA Regional HQ was previously targeted in March 2008, when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the facility, killing 30 and injuring over 200 people. ¶3. (SBU) At about the same time the morning of October 15, ten terrorists dressed in police uniforms attacked the Punjab Elite Police Force Training Academy on Bedian Road, located approximately 15 miles southeast of Consulate Lahore. The attackers, reportedly including three women, overwhelmed perimeter security and took 20 trainees hostage. Pakistan Army Special Services Group conducted a rescue operation. By approximately 1430L, the Pakistan Army had secured the location and released the hostages. Police confirmed that at least six police officers and five attackers were killed. Police sources confirmed that four attackers were wearing suicide jackets. Three attackers detonated their jackets and were killed. The fourth attacker was shot dead by police before detonating the explosives. ¶4. (SBU) Simultaneously, four terrorists attacked the Manawan Police Training Center (PTC),situated on the main road from Lahore to Wagah border with India, approximately 7 miles northeast of Consulate Lahore. These attackers, armed with grenades, guns and explosive vests overwhelmed the primary exterior check point. Six security personnel were killed in fighting between the terrorists and police trainees that lasted over three hours, according to police sources. Fifteen people were injured. Two attackers were killed by detonating their suicide jacket. A third man was captured by police and his suicide jacket was defused. The status of the fourth attacker is unclear as of this sitrep. Manawan PTC was previously targeted on March 30, when terrorists stormed the facility and killed 27 people during an eight-hour siege, reftel. -------------- Preliminary Local Response -------------- LAHORE 00000198 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) Leaders from across the Pakistani political spectrum have condemned the attack. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yosaf Raza Gilani issued statements against the attacks and praised security personnel. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who postponed a trip to London because of these attacks, denounced the attacks and acknowledged the swift action by the police to defuse the situation. Sharif declared a state of emergency in District Lahore. Government offices, schools and other public facilities remain open, with an increased police presence. ¶6. (SBU) Consulate Lahore has confirmed that all personnel (permanent as well as TDY) are safe. Post is continuing normal operations. The Consulate held an EAC meeting October 15 (septel) to review and assess the situation. Embassy Islamabad LEGATT has dispatched an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to Lahore at the behest of the FIA, and A/RSO Lahore is providing support to the team. CONROY