Gunmen hold soldiers hostage inside Pakistan army HQ

[frigidmagi]

Timesonline

[quote]Militants are holding up to 15 soldiers hostage inside Pakistan’s army headquarters today after they and others attacked the complex earlier in the day, killing at least six soldiers.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas says no army or intelligence leaders are among those being held.

The militants, armed with assault rifles and grenades and wearing military uniforms, stormed the heavily guarded compound in the city of Rawalpindi.

They arrived in full camouflage kit in a white van and opened fire on checkpoint guards.

The attack led to intense gun battles with troops, in which at least one grenade was thrown.

Pakistan authorities have confirmed at least six soldiers were killed and five more injured, one critically.

Four of the gunmen were also killed after the 45-minute gun fight, but it is believed two have managed to escape.

The attack, which happened shortly before midday local time, is the third large-scale militant attack in the country in the last week.

Eye witness Khan Bahadur, a shuttle van driver, said: “There was fierce firing, and then there was a blast.

"Soldiers were running here and there. The firing continued for about a half hour. There was smoke everywhere. Then there was a break, and then firing again.â€