Gwadar PC hotel attacked by gunmen

Photo: AFP

At least three unidentified terrorists ambushed The Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar.

After a shootout between law enforcers and the armed assailants that lasted for more than an hour, the terrorists were killed, Balochistan IG Mohsin Butt said. The men were reportedly heavily armed. They stormed into the hotel and opened fire, SAMAA TV reported.

A security guard, who was reportedly trying to stop the assailants has lost his life.

A clearance operation is taking place at the hotel, according to a statement by the ISPR. The statement adds that the terrorists attempted to force their way into the hotel and were challenged by the security guard, who was fired at and lost his life.

Security around the five star hotel has been tightened. Foreign delegations often stay at the hotel when visiting for work. Gwadar is one of the main centre’s of activity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

Heavy firing can be heard from the hotel, SAMAA TV reported when news first broke of the attack. A shoot-out took place between law enforcers and the assailants. Several Chinese nationals were reportedly staying at the hotel. No foreign national was, however, injured, balochistan home and chief ministers had confirmed.

Police and FC personnel also reached the scene and surrounded the hotel.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Lango said the hotel has been surrounded. He said the guests staying at the hotel have been safely evacuated.

“An operation is under way. We will know the details soon,” he had said.

He said there are reports of some injuries from the firing, however, the injured do not include any foreign nationals.

Balochistan Chief Minister condemned the terror attack, directing the authorities concerned to take measures for the safety of the people inside the hotel.

Mohammad Aslam, the on-duty officer in Gwadar, said ambulances and rescue officers were waiting at a road leading to the hotel, and that he could hear gunfire but that the operation was coming to an end.

“There were no Chinese or Pakistani guests in the hotel,” he said, adding that only staff were present in the building.

It was reported around 7:15pm that the operation had ended.

The BLA has claimed responsibility for the attack. “Our fighters have carried out this attack on Chinese and other foreign investors who were staying in PC hotel,” a BLA spokesperson said in a statement sent to journalists after the attack.

The Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar is located on the Koh-e-Batil Hill south of West Bay on Fish Harbour Road. The five star hotel is frequented by both business and leisure travellers.

On April 18, around 15 to 20 gunmen wearing camouflage uniforms stopped up to six passenger buses travelling between Gwadar and Karachi and shot 14 passengers dead in Ormara.

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Article source: https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/05/five-star-hotel-under-attack-in-gwadar/