Breaking News: Terror in Kazan City

(Extracted from the Hamilton Newsweb)

Terrorists believed to be connected to the Qizilqum Liberation Front struck Kazan City in an attack apparently directed at key government and military officials. However, support from mercenaries hired by the Hamilton planetary government allowed planetary guard forces to swiftly resolve the situation while limiting losses and damage.

Details are still unclear, but it appears that at approximately 2000 hours Kazan City time, a force of at least a dozen QLF insurgents stormed the Kazan City convention center, interrupting an event in progress. Securing the building and shutting off the power, the QLF forces took those inside hostage, including district governor Rashid Zaydid, Planetary Guard district commander Roxana Zaryos and mercenary commander Irisz Magyari.

It is unclear how the Terrorist were able to gain access to the building and do such undetected by security, especially in light of the recent increase in police and military presence in the city. Military experts suggest that they may have used a delivery vehicle in order to approach the building and transport their men and equipment. Sources from within the military suggest that they may have had access to security codes as well in order to remain undetected.

Police and planetary guard forces reacted swiftly, surrounding the building to contain those inside and try to force a surrender. A tense standoff occurred as the QLF terrorists issued demands including a withdrawal of all planetary guard forces from the district, full independence for the Kazan region and planetary succession from the Free Worlds League. Attempts at negotiations were met with gunfire and threats to kill the hostages.

At some point after 2130 hours, a small group of mercenaries were able to infiltrate the building. While exact details are unclear, it appears that several mercenaries were successfully able to infiltrate the building and free the hostages. A gunfight broke out, at which point the Planetary Guard took the opportunity to storm the building and join up with the mercenary forces. Within minutes, the QLF forces were defeated, with most of the terrorists dead. At least one was captured, wounded but alive and taken for questioning.

Miraculously, none of the hostages were harmed in the exchange; in fact, eyewitness reports state that both Commander Zaryos and Major Magyari, once freed, assisted the mercenary and planetary guard forces in overcoming the terrorists. That nobody was harmed only became more remarkable when it was discovered that there was a bomb inside the convention centre. The remote-controlled device was disabled by one of the mercenaries before it could be detonated.

While Governor Zaydid was not available for comment, Commander Roxana Zayros gave a brief statement to the press. “Since Hamilton joined the Free Worlds League, the planetary economy has prospered everywhere except for Kazan. It is the actions of the QLF that has kept it this way, their campaign of terror doing nothing but to hurt the people they claim to be helping. I call upon the QLF to lay down their arms and surrender to us so we can end this conflict.”

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