The city of Lahore came under multiple attacks on Thursday morning, with militants targeting two police training schools and the immigration office, leaving at least seven people dead.
The strike began at 9.45 am, when militants attacked the office of the Federal Immigration Authority at Temple Road, in the crowded centre of Lahore.
The police said the situation had been brought under control at the FIA building a little after 11 am. At least seven people were killed in the exchange of fire at the building, and television footage showed policemen detaining one suspect.
A search of the building also yielded a large quantity of explosives that the attackers were apparently carrying.
At about the same time as this attack, militants stormed a police training school at Manawan on the outskirts of Lahore close to the Wagah border. This is the second time this school has come under attack this year. Militant struck at the school in March this year, taking hostages and battling security forces, until they were overpowered.
Simultaneously, armed militants also took over the Bedian Elite Police training school, located six kms beyond Lahore International Airport.
Gun battles were in progress between security forces and the militants at both schools. It is not clear if the militants have taken hostages, or if there are casualties, and if so how many.
The Rangers, a paramilitary force, have been deployed across Lahore for security.
