Pakistan: Security operation in Gwadar hotel concluded

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan(AA) - Pakistani security forces on Sunday announced the completion of an hours-long operation against militants who stormed a five-star hotel in the southwestern port city of Gwadar on Saturday evening.

"Security Forces have completed the clearance operation. All three terrorists were killed, while five individuals got Shaheed [martyred] including four hotel employees and a Pakistan Navy soldier," a statement by Pakistan army said.

"Six individuals including two army Captains, two Pakistan Navy soldiers, and two hotel employees were injured," the statement added.

The army said the terrorists had attempted entry into the Pearl Continental -- the only five-star hotel in Gwadar -- aimed at targeting and taking hostage the guests.

The militants shot dead the hotel security guards and employees who challenged them.

"The army's quick reaction forces, navy, and police immediately reached the hotel, secured guests and staff present in the hotel and restricted terrorists within the corridor of the fourth floor," the statement said.

Security forces, it added, made special entry points to get into the hotel's fourth floor, where terrorists were taking positions, and shot them down apart from clearing the planted improvised explosive devices.

In exchange of fire, a navy soldier was killed, while two army captains and two navy soldiers were injured.

Balochistan Liberation Army -- a Baloch separatist group has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to the local media.

The attack took place weeks after suspected separatists killed 14 security personnel near Gwadar.

With its 600-kilometers long coastline, Gwadar is a key deep seaport currently operated by China, which aims to attain direct access to the Indian Ocean via Gwadar seaport in line with a $46 billion mega-project, Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (PCEC).

The economic corridor will not only provide China cheaper access to Africa and the Middle East but will also earn Pakistan billions of dollars for providing transit facilities to the world’s second-largest economy.

The large Balochistan province has been plagued by violence for over six decades, with separatists claiming it was forcibly incorporated into Pakistan at the end of British rule in 1947.