Lahore (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The terrorist attack is still ongoing on the Manawan Police Training Centre, in the suburbs of Lahore, capital of Punjab. The attackers invaded the compound at dawn launching grenades and shooting wildly.  There are an estimated 800 people inside the building, among trainees and instructors, who were preparing to begin their daily training program.

Pakistan’s’ special squad have surrounded the academy and a state of maximum alert has been declared.  A police official from the academy has confirmed that the number of attackers and how many were killed in the attack is still unknown. Fifteen people have been confirmed dead and a further 40 wounded, but security forces say the death toll will rise.

According to reports the terrorists entered the compound wearing police uniforms.  Some eye-witnesses say they heard at least 5 explosions and declare that most of the victims were killed at the entry point to the academy.  

Rehman Malik, advisor to the Minister for Home affairs, says that the academy was not equipped with the necessary security measures to counter a terrorist attack, this despite the fact that early in March Lahore was the stage for a violent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, which took place in broad daylight in the central Liberty Square.

Lahore is also the centre of tensions between the President Asif Ali Zardari and Provincial governor Shabbaz Sharif, who is the brother of the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (MPL) .The Supreme Court, has banned both Muslim politicians from all public appointments, leading to protests and mass demonstrations which broke out into clashes between police and MPL supporters.