20 Killed in Siege at Pakistan Police School

Paramilitary forces are locked in gun battle with attackers

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Mar 30, 2009 2:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – Pakistani troops were locked in a fierce firefight today with gunmen who stormed a police academy near Lahore, killing 20 officers. The attackers, armed with automatic rifles and grenades, stormed the academy's morning turnout dressed as police, reports the Times of London. They "opened fire after throwing grenades," said a trainee, one of dozens injured. "There was complete panic."

The gunmen took positions on the roof of the two-story building and began firing indiscriminately, and are holding hostages, the BBC reports. Local TV footage shows uniformed officers fleeing amid sprawled bodies. The training center is located close to the Indian border just miles from the spot where the Sri Lankan cricket team was ambushed earlier this month. The attacks are similar, but no one has yet claimed responsibility for the assault on the police academy, officials said.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Pakistani demonstrators condemn the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore earlier this month. Gunmen attacked again in the city earlier today. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Pakistan troops take positions at a police training school on the outskirts of Lahore after gunmen armed with rifles and hand grenades attacked a police training academy, killing 11 officers. (AP Photo/Dunya TV)

Pakistani paramilitary troops and police officers stand guard in the capital. Gunmen attacked a police academy earlier today. (AP AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

A Pakistani police officer holds his weapon as he stands guard next to the Punjab House in Lahore. A police academy was attacked near the city earlier today. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

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20 Killed in Siege at Pakistan Police School