Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAHORE66
2009-03-30 16:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Lahore
Cable title:
ATTACK ON POLICE TRAINING CENTER -- SITREP 2
how-toO 301606Z MAR 09 FM AMCONSUL LAHORE TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3984 INFO AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE AMCONSUL KARACHI IMMEDIATE AMCONSUL PESHAWAR IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY KABUL AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI SECDEF WASHDC NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC CIA WASHINGTON DC JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL AMCONSUL LAHORE
UNCLAS LAHORE 000066
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: ATTACK ON POLICE TRAINING CENTER -- SITREP 2
REF: Lahore 64
UNCLAS LAHORE 000066
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: ATTACK ON POLICE TRAINING CENTER -- SITREP 2
REF: Lahore 64
1. (SBU) Punjab Elite Police with the support of Punjab Rangers
and the Pakistan Army took back the Police Training Center
facility in Manawaan at 15:40 on March 30, according to police
contacts on the scene. Press reports claim that the police took
three terrorists into custody and lethally shot three. Media
reports claim that two or three of the remaining terrorists blew
themselves up. It is unclear whether any terrorists escaped or
whether the total number was less than the initial 20-25
reported earlier in the day. The number of police and civilians
killed in the attack range from 13 (Dawn news) to 20 (hospital
sources) to 23 (the district nazim, or mayor) to 40 (BBC),while
the injured number over 100. Police sources are unable at this
time to confirm the total number killed or injured in the attack.
2. (SBU) A crowd of relatives of the trainees have gathered
outside the facility peacefully demanding more information. The
attack occurred during the morning drill, which would have
involved as many as 850 young cadets.
3. (SBU) Federal Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik told the press
that he could not rule out foreign interference, fueling further
far-right commentator/politician speculation of Indian
involvement in the attack. Governor Salman Taseer has been
roundly criticized in the press, which is attributing the attack
-- the second in Lahore since Governor's rule was declared -- to
Taseer's "lax security policies."
4. (SBU) Consulate Lahore is continuing the prohibition on USG
travel on the Lahore to Wagah Border road through the morning of
March 31. Consulate operations otherwise remain normal.
HUNT
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: ATTACK ON POLICE TRAINING CENTER -- SITREP 2
REF: Lahore 64
1. (SBU) Punjab Elite Police with the support of Punjab Rangers
and the Pakistan Army took back the Police Training Center
facility in Manawaan at 15:40 on March 30, according to police
contacts on the scene. Press reports claim that the police took
three terrorists into custody and lethally shot three. Media
reports claim that two or three of the remaining terrorists blew
themselves up. It is unclear whether any terrorists escaped or
whether the total number was less than the initial 20-25
reported earlier in the day. The number of police and civilians
killed in the attack range from 13 (Dawn news) to 20 (hospital
sources) to 23 (the district nazim, or mayor) to 40 (BBC),while
the injured number over 100. Police sources are unable at this
time to confirm the total number killed or injured in the attack.
2. (SBU) A crowd of relatives of the trainees have gathered
outside the facility peacefully demanding more information. The
attack occurred during the morning drill, which would have
involved as many as 850 young cadets.
3. (SBU) Federal Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik told the press
that he could not rule out foreign interference, fueling further
far-right commentator/politician speculation of Indian
involvement in the attack. Governor Salman Taseer has been
roundly criticized in the press, which is attributing the attack
-- the second in Lahore since Governor's rule was declared -- to
Taseer's "lax security policies."
4. (SBU) Consulate Lahore is continuing the prohibition on USG
travel on the Lahore to Wagah Border road through the morning of
March 31. Consulate operations otherwise remain normal.
HUNT