ATTACK ON POLICE TRAINING CENTER -- SITREP 2

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