GWADAR – Gunmen have stormed Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar, killing at least one person, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
In a statement, Pakistan’s military said three armed men killed a security guard as they attempted to enter the five-star hotel in the southern city.
Three to four armed militants stormed the facility at around 4:50pm today (Saturday). Firing is still taking place but there are no reports of any casualties yet.
“Foreign and local guests were safely evacuated from the hotel after the attack,” Provincial Information Minister Zahoor Buledi said.
There were conflicting reports about additional casualties. Zia Langove, the provincial home minister, said initial reports indicated some people at the hotel had been wounded in firing on the premises.
The military, however, said that all guests at the hotel, which has 114 rooms, were safely evacuated.
Frontier Corps personnel have cordoned off the hotel and no one is allowed to go near the area, police sources say.
China and Pakistan are developing the Gwadar port to facilitate connectivity and trade in the region.
Beijing is investing over $50 billion in Pakistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Dear Taha, the armed forces has complete control of #Gwadar, there were civil protests against the occupation of Gwadar by army, it’s just to create fear in the area, nothing more, I was their for months to report. https://t.co/GkwH6yaOO1
— Mariya Afghan (@MariyaAfghan) May 11, 2019
Terrorists curtailed to first floor of PC #Gwadar. No casualties so far. Excellent response by Army and Navy Commandos, FC and Police. Someone tell PTM and their pseudo liberal sympathisers that 3 “missing persons” have been found. pic.twitter.com/3qNXeHol1K
— Waleed Parwez Choudhry (@waleedpchoudhry) May 11, 2019
The hotel is located on the Koh-e-Batil Hill, south of West Bay on Fish Harbour Road and overlooks the Arabian Sea. The Gwadar port region is the focal point of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Clearance operation underway
Security forces launched a clearance operation after three terrorists attempted to make a forced entry in the hotel, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said.
However, a security guard, who challenged the terrorists at the entry point, embraced Shahadat due to the firing of the intruders.
The terrorists encircled by security forces are in the staircase leading to the top floor. Clearance operation is in progress, it added.
BLA claims responsibility for the attack
Banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed the responsibility for the attack in Gwadar, in which one security guard was killed.
“We claimed the responsibility of the PC hotel attack. The attack is being carried out by our ‘freedom fighters’ of Majeed Brigade,” Tweeted its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch.
Fadayeen sarbaz of Majeed brigade of Bla, Hammal Fateh Baloch alias Habib, Asad Baloch alias Mehrab, Munseb Baloch alias Kareem, Kachkol Baloch Alias Cammando Carriedout Gwader Attack.#Gwadar #BALOCHISTAN #MajeedBrigade pic.twitter.com/B6FXWMtSgQ
— Hakkal (@hakkal_media) May 11, 2019
Last month, an alliance of Baloch separatist groups ambushed a passenger bus en route from Gwadar to Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, killing at least 14 people.
