Kazakh president says terror attack committed in Almaty

(AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev called the July 18 armed attacks in Almaty a terrorist attack, said the president’s press service.

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

“I express my condolences to relatives of the victims,” he said, adding that they should be provided with appropriate moral and material support.

Nazarbayev made the remarks July 18 at a meeting of Kazakhstan’s Security Council in connection with the incident in Almaty city.

He instructed the law enforcement to take all necessary steps to ensure the rule of law in Almaty.

Kazakh media reported about a shooting near the Almaty District Interior Department in the center of Almaty July 18 morning.

Four people, including three police officers and one civilian, were killed.

The suspect was arrested by the police.

An operation is underway to detain the criminal’s accomplice.