Italics indicates attacks resulting in more than 40 deaths ‡ indicates attacks resulting in more than 100 deaths Underline indicates the deadliest terrorist attack/s to date
The 2016 Quetta police training college attack took place on 24 October 2016, when three heavily armed terrorists started shooting at cadets in their dormitories of a Balochistan Police training college in Quetta, Pakistan, killing 61 cadets and injuring more than 165 others.[1][2][3]Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack,[4] and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed to have collaborated with them.[5] According to Pakistani authorities, the assailants came from Afghanistan and were in contact with their handlers there while perpetrating the attack.[6]
Attack
Three militants entered the training centre around 11:10 pm on Tuesday 24 October,[7][8] while cadets were sleeping and opened fire before taking hundreds of police cadets hostage and engaging in a standoff with security forces. At least 61 people were killed and over 165 people were injured as well.[4][9][10][11]
Three militants were killed during the attack. Two detonated suicide belts and the third was shot by police, with many of the victims being killed when the attackers detonated their belts.[11]
A senior security official said that the ISIL had "outsourced" the attack to Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.[13]
A spokesman of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi faction Al-Alami subsequently told Reuters that the two groups (Al-Alami and ISIL) had "done this attack together".[5] Analysts said that the ISIL clearly has a presence in Pakistan and has local groups working with it.[14]
Aftermath
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cancelled all of his engagements and called a meeting with arms officials in Quetta.[16][17] Pakistan's national security advisor Naseer Khan Janjua apprised U.S. ambassador David Hale that India's Research and Analysis Wing and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) were "patronising" terrorist organisations on attacking soft targets in Pakistan, and emphasised the need for effective action against militant elements in Afghanistan linked to the attack.[18][19]
Reactions
International
France – The Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack and expressed sympathies towards the families of the victims and injured saying, "China would continue to support Pakistani government in its efforts to provide protection to its citizens and national security."[20]
France – Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault extends his condolences to the families of victims and said, "France presents its condolences to the families of victims in these tragic circumstances. France recalls its commitment and stands with the Pakistani authorities in front of terrorism."[21][22]
India – Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar condemned the attack and said, "Let me express grief for those who lost their lives; terrorism anywhere in any form can’t be accepted."[23][24]
Russia – President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences and said "The Russian head of state expressed confidence that the masterminds and performers of this barbaric crime will be punished, and reiterated Russia's readiness to further enhance anti-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan."[25]
United Kingdom – Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expressed his condolences and said, "I condemn yesterday’s appalling attack on the police training centre in Quetta, Pakistan. My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones and friends, or were injured, in this callous attack."[26]
United States – State Department SpokespersonJohn Kirby condemned the attack and expressed solidarity saying, "We stand with the people of Pakistan and Government of Pakistan at this difficult hour, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism."[27]
Supranational bodies
United Nations – The UN Secretary-General's Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq expressed his condolences to the family of victims on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and said, "The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured" and condemned the attack by that the UN chief "calls for the perpetrators of this abhorrent act of violence to be brought to justice swiftly."[28][29]