The police on Tuesday launched a manhunt for the suspected Islamic militants who attacked a British children charity in the restive north-west, killing four local staff. Up to 12 armed men stormed the Plan International office in the town of Mansehra on Monday, the charity said in a statement, spraying gunfire and setting off grenades.
Local police chief Zulfiqar Jadoon described the attackers as "terrorists" and told AFP that police had chased the gunmen into a forest outside Mansehra soon after the raid, but the militants escaped into the night. "We had an exchange of gunfire, it lasted two-and-a-half hours," he said, adding that the police were now scouring the forests for the attackers.
The Plan office was burned to the ground in the attack, and the non-governmental organisation, which has been active in the area for 12 years, said late Monday it had halted its operations in Pakistan. The Plan International said the motive for the attack was unknown and no specific threats had been made against the charity, which helps provide education and healthcare to children in the region.
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