The attempted coup or a terrorist attack? The attack on the police station in Alma-ATA. Details
Photo: IA NEWS-KAZAKHSTAN
In Kazakhstan, in Almaty, there were armed attacks on police officers. The attack was recorded simultaneously in several places of the former capital of the Republic. According to official data, three interior Ministry officers were killed and another 8 injured. In polutoramillionnom, the city announced the red level of the antiterrorist operation.
Later it became known that in the course of shootings killed a relative of the Deputy Zauresh Amanzholova. A victim of an armed attack was also one civilian driver of the car, which the offender tried to steal.
What happened
An unknown man of Asian appearance attacked a police station in one of Almaty on Monday morning, as a result of gunfire. According to official data, the offender took the automatic weapon of one of the police officers, then fled to a nearby street where it was waited by accomplices (their number varies from one to three). Then the criminal tried to stop one of the nearest machines and continued to fire on the police officers.
At the same time, near police began another shooting — in the area of the Nikolsky market. After 15 minutes, the attackers shot and killed the patrol. Arrived at the scene the police, after the shooting, three officers were injured, two died.
In 5 hours after the incident, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called the incident in Almaty a terrorist act. In turn, the Kyrgyz authorities have increased nearby the border with Kazakhstan.
Confusion among the departments and the paucity of information
Witnesses of the shootings claimed that official information was not enough, and false rumors sowed panic among the people. The government was forced to refute the information about the attack of terrorists on military unit which is spread in social networks, the media, and in apps for messaging.
Only in the evening, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev announced an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Moreover, Kazakhstan TV and radio stations went to planned preventive maintenance and the message appeared
The city authorities announced the antiterrorist operation after the event in Almaty was in full swing and they are reported by witnesses, at the same time the city authorities began to encourage residents not to leave their homes and reported that goes.
Police cordoned off the station, people were checked at the exit of the subway. Been introduced plans “Interception” and “Siren”. In addition, closed all gun shops and offices of some banks.
All military units and institutions of the Armed forces of Kazakhstan are transferred to the strengthened mode of service.
About the attackers
The detainee is a 27-year-old previously convicted born in the Kyzylorda region (southern Kazakhstan). It is also a suspect in the murder of a woman.
Another alleged participant in the attack is wanted.
Law enforcement reported that the attacks are suspected Islamists.
The suspect, Ruslan Kulibaev, was associated with the Salafis, adherents of one of the sects of Islam. This was stated by the head of the national security Committee of Kazakhstan, Vladimir zhumakanov. According to him, Kulibaev have already been convicted of robbery with violence and for illegal acquisition and possession of weapons.
In turn, the interior Minister of Kazakhstan, Kalanagar Kasymov said that before the attack, Kulibaev shot a woman and stole a car.
“We have witnesses, the quarrel was with women of easy virtue, one of them is a citizen of Uzbekistan. He approached the car where she was sitting, the taxi driver asked to turn on the light when he refused, he opened fire from a pistol, then stole the car. This is the machine we found with the deceased woman,” said the Minister.
Reasons
Local political analysts say that the terrorist attacks in Kazakhstan can arrange power of disgruntled radicals. Kazakh economist Zharas Akhmetov expressed the view that a precondition to shooting today have become economic problems.
Some of the scientists of Kazakhstan has accused today’s terrorist attacks in Alma-ATA of religious extremists.
The political scientist Dosym Satpayev said that the attack on the Kazakh security officials has become a common behavior for Kazakhstani radicals. Moreover, political scientist Aidos Sarym advised the residents of Alma-ATA not to leave their homes and offices whenever possible and not to panic.
“Extremism and religious radicalism came to the country for the long haul. Now this must learn to live and face,” wrote Aidos Sarym.
The Ukrainian diplomat Bohdan Yaremenko on his Facebook page noted that the deterioration in Syria, Iran, Nagorno-Karabakh, Kazakhstan, and Russia is one part of a larger picture. According to him, now especially need to carefully monitor the situation in the regions.
Precedent
However, earlier in one of the cities of Kazakhstan, in Aktobe as a result of these armed attacks have killed six people, and another 38 were injured. The attack occurred on 5 June when a group of religious radicals attacked the first gun shop in Aktobe, and then a military unit. According to the interior Ministry of Kazakhstan, the attackers planned to capture the “serious weapon”.
The attack was deemed a terrorist attack in Aktobe was declared “red” level of terrorist threat, and all over Kazakhstan — “yellow level”. 13 attackers were killed, four more were wounded, declared wanted seven persons.
Experts also note that the events in Aktobe and Almaty may be associated, and a similar situation can arise again.
