Kazakhstan toughens security measures

/By Azernews/

By Nigar Abbasova

Kazakhstan has tightened security measures across the country following recent bloody attack that hit Almaty, the largest city of the country.

At least five people were killed and eight injured in an attack on a police station in Almaty on June 18.

Group of armed men attempted to break into the interior ministry building in the city center. The Ministry reported that a district police department and the building that houses Kazakhstan's National Security Committee were also attacked.

An anti-terror operation was held in the country. Kazakh authorities have raised the security threat level in Almaty to red which is considered to be the highest, meaning that the level of danger is critical. Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee replaced the “red level” of terrorist threat by “yellow level” following anti-terrorist operation.

Two suspects have already been detained. President of Kazkahstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev referred the shooting as “an act of terrorism” and ordered to increase the provision of security all over the country.  

“Today a terrorist attack has been committed in Almaty that unfortunately, again led to casualties,” Nazarbayev said.

Residents of the city were called not to leave their apartments and avoid public places. They were also asked to be vigilant, inform police of any suspicious people, and treat the situation with understanding.

The suspected attacker was wounded and detained by the police. The attacker’s supposed accomplice was detained, as well.

Earlier, the suspect was reported to be a 27 year-old resident of Kyzylorda district, according to preliminary information. The detainee was previously convicted and is also suspected of killing a woman over the weekend.

The attack in Almaty came a month after a deadly assault that hit Aktobe, the north-western city of the country. Groups of gunmen attacked two weapon shops and military base in the northwestern Kazakh city of Aktobe.

Eight persons were killed with three being military personnel, while as many as 37 suffered injuries. A total of 18 criminals were killed and nine were taken into custody in an anti-terrorist operation.  

Earlier, the country’s National Security Committee said that all participants of the recent attacks in Aktobe have been neutralized and arrested, and their weapons have been confiscated.