Terrorist storm Gwadar 5-star hotel, All four terrorists have been killed

Two security guards killed as BLA claims its four members targeted Chinese investors lodged at the Pearl Continental hotel near Gwadar’s port.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) says all assailants have been killed after the intense shootout.

At least four suspected terrorists stormed the Pearl Continental hotel in Gwadar, Balochistan, on Saturday, killing at least two security guards and injuring several others before being shot dead by security personnel, officials said.

The attack was claimed by the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) which said that four fighters of Majeed Brigade had managed to breach the high-security hotel and killed, a number of Chinese and Pakistani investors.

According to ISPR, the terrorists attempted to force their way into the PC hotel and were challenged by the security guards. Two guards were killed by the assailants firing.

The guests were safely evacuated from the hotel.

In a subsequent statement, the ISPR said that the terrorists had been neutralized.

A Twitter account linked with the BLA identified the assailants as Asad baloch alias mehrab, Munseb baloch alias kareem, Hammal fateh baloch alias habib, and Kachkol alias commando.

Earlier, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Langove said that some people were injured during the firing. Though the minister did not share the number of people present in the hotel, initial media reports suggested at least 70 people, including 40 Chinese, were present inside the hotel at the time of the attack.

Balochistan Information Minister Zahoor Buledi said all foreign and local guests staying at the hotel had been safely evacuated.

The chief minister called for a well planned and strong action against the terrorists, adding that he is in touch with police and local administration regarding the situation.

Baloch militant outfits have ramped up attacks on foreigners, especially Chinese, and security installations in the wake of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

BLA earlier claimed the responsibility of an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi in November last year. At least seven people, including three assailants, were killed when the Chinese consulate in Karachi’s Clifton area came under an attack early in the morning.

The law enforcement agencies and the police officers deployed for the security of the building had managed to foil the attack.

Gwadar, a small city in Balochistan province, is the site of a large port under construction by a Chinese company as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a centerpiece project of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure-building spree.

Beijing has invested about $50 billion in the port and in road links between Gwadar and China’s far-western Xinjiang province.

The city of Gwadar, including its major hotels, is heavily guarded by the Pakistan army and paramilitary forces.

The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Gwadar’s PC Hotel on Saturday and appreciated, the heroic action of Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies.

Chinese Embassy strongly condemns terrorist attack on PC Hotel in Gwadar. The heroic action of Pakistani Army & law enforcement agencies is highly appreciated. We express condolences to the families of the security guard who sacrificed his life &two security men who were injured. — Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) May 11, 2019

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