Pakistan’s prime minister has condemned a deadly insurgent attack at a luxury hotel on the south-western coast, describing it as an act of terrorism.
In a statement on Sunday, Imran Khan praised the “initial response by security guards and security forces” for preventing greater loss of life at the Pearl Continental hotel in Gwadar.
His statement came as Pakistan police chiefs raised the death toll from the attack to five.
The military said on Saturday that one security guard was killed in the attack, and all guests were safely evacuated.
But police said on Sunday that five people – not including the four attackers – died, and it is not known if they were civilians, hotel guards or security forces.
The four attackers were also killed.
A Baluch separatist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying four of its fighters were involved.
The same group attacked a Chinese consulate in Karachi last year, triggering a shoot-out in which all three insurgents, two police officers and two civilians were killed.
China is helping Pakistan build a modern port in Gwadar. The Pearl Continental is located near the port.
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