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
On 24 October 2016, three heavily armed terrorists carried out an attack on the
Balochistanpolice training college in
Quetta,
Pakistan, killing 61 cadets and injuring more than 165 others.[1][2][3] The
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,[2][7] 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][8][9]
All the three gunmen were killed during the attack. Two detonated
suicide belts and the third was shot by police. Many of the victims were killed when the attackers detonated their belts.[9]
Perpetrators
Pakistan's national security advisor
Naseer Khan Janjua stated to 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.[10][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 stated to 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.[10][11]
Chief Minister
Sanaullah Zehri revealed on 10 November 2016 the arrest of mastermind and facilitator of the attack.[18]
The United Nations[27][28] and the European Union condemned the terrorist attack, and pledged to "work closely together with Pakistan to fight the global threat of terrorism and expressed condolences to the families of the victims."[29]