Sana’a: Five policemen were killed and a sixth injured when gunmen attacked a police vehicle in the city of Ataq, Shabwa province, east of Yemen.
According to an official source, the attackers took the police car after killing the policemen. They later abandoned the broken down vehicle, in the Al Jabia district on the outskirts of Ataq. The body of one of the dead men was found in the car on Thursday morning.
A local source blamed the attack on a separate movement. “From my experience here, I think Al Herak (the separatist movement) was behind the attack, I know all the six soldiers who were on the patrolling car,” said the source. “The soldiers told me many times that Al Herak and Al Qaida were a big threat to them in this lawless province, but I think Al Herak was behind this attack.” The source said two unknown cars had been seen patrolling the city shortly before the attack.
A government official however claimed Al Qaida terrorists were responsible. “Five soldiers were martyred and one more injured in a terrorist attack in Ataq early this morning,” the Defense Ministry website said.
