Around three-four gunmen stormed a five star hotel Saturday evening in Gwadar, in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where China is developing a massive port as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Firing is still on at the Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel, that is frequented by businessmen and tourists, according to Gwadar Station House Officer (SHO) Aslam Bangulzai, Dawn reported.
"At around 4:50pm we got reports that there are three to four armed men in PC Hotel," the SHO said, adding that "the firing is ongoing but there are no reports of any casualties yet".
The police official further said that "there are no foreigners at the hotel right now."
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SHO Bangulzai said that "additional police force, ATF (Anti-terrorism force) and army are all present" at the hotel to handle the situation.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohsin Hassan Butt also confirmed that "two to three gunmen had first fired at and then entered the hotel."
According to reports, the Baloch Army has claimed responsibility for the attack,"targetting Chinese and other foreign investors staying in the hotel".
The IGP said the hotel did not have any foreigners at the time of the attack and that only the hotel staff was inside. He also said that "95 per cent of the hotel has been evacuated."
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IGP Butt further said that "the attackers may have come in a boat to launch the attack."
Frontier Corps personnel have cordoned off the hotel and no one is allowed to go near the area, DawnNewsTV reported citing police sources.
The Pearl Continental (PC) 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.
The attack comes just weeks after 14 people, including 11 personnel of Navy, Air Force and Coast Guards, were killed by gunmen near Ormara in Gwadar.
Beijing is investing around $50 billion in Pakistan as part of a plan unveiled in 2015 to link its far-western Xinjiang region to Gwadar port in Balochistan with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani condemned "the terrorists attack" on PC Hotel, and instructed the authorities to "ensure the safety of all inside the hotel".
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
