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Dozens of attackers "eliminated," 12 officers killed in Kazakhstan unrest
By Xinhua Published: Jan 07, 2022 10:30 AM
People rally to protest against the price rise of liquefied petroleum gas in Aktau in the Mangystau province, Kazakhstan, Jan. 4, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.(Photo: Xinhua)

People rally to protest against the price rise of liquefied petroleum gas in Aktau in the Mangystau province, Kazakhstan, Jan. 4, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Obstacles are settled in front of the city hall for curfew in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 6, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.(Photo: Xinhua)

Obstacles are settled in front of the city hall for curfew in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 6, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
A police officer requires a car to leave the city hall in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 5, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan. (Photo: Xinhua)

A police officer requires a car to leave the city hall in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 5, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan. (Photo: Xinhua)


 
Military personnel patrol in front of the presidential palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 6, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.(Photo: Xinhua)

Military personnel patrol in front of the presidential palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 6, 2022. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the Kazakh city of Almaty and the Mangystau Region in southwest Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
"Dozens of attackers have been eliminated" after they attempted to storm administrative buildings and the police department of the Kazakh city of Almaty on Wednesday night, TASS news agency reported Thursday.

A total of 12 law enforcement officers have been killed and 353 others injured in their clashes with the rioters in Almaty, said the report.

The "anti-terrorist" special operation continues in the city and police urged residents and visitors to refrain from leaving home for their own safety, TASS said, citing a report of Kazakhstan's Khabar-24 TV channel.

Over 1,000 people were injured across Kazakhstan with almost 400 of them hospitalized as a result of the violent protests over the past days, said the report.

The protests sparked by dissatisfaction over surging fuel prices escalated on Wednesday, with protesters storming the main government building in Almaty, setting police vehicles on fire, and attacking the regional branch of the ruling Nur Otan party.

The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a presidential decree on Wednesday, accepting the resignation of the government.