'Yellow' level of terrorist threat introduced for 40 days in Kazakhstan
ASTANA. June 6 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan has introduced the moderate 'yellow' level of terrorist threat for a period of 40 days, following the terrorist attack in the city of Aktobe committed this Sunday, the national antiterrorist headquarters notified the country's residents.
"An antiterrorist operation is being conducted in the territory of the Aktobe region in order to neutralize terrorists. Considering the situation on the ground, the chief of the national operative headquarters on fight against terror, KNB [Kazakhstan's National Security Committee] head Vladimir Zhumakanov has imposed the moderate 'yellow' level of terrorist threat for a period of 40 days within the boundaries of the regions of Almaty, Akmola, Aktobe, Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Karaganda, Kyzylorda, Kostanai, Mangystau, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan and South Kazakhstan, and the cities of Astana and Almaty," the headquarters said in a communication.
In this regard, authorities asked residents to be receptive to the current efforts of government agencies, it said.
"[We request to] pay attention to unattended objects (bags, bundles, sacks, suitcases, etc.), and more especially those containing cords and technical devices, as well as to suspicious individuals in public places and on transport. Do not touch suspicious items. Do not accept for safekeeping or transportation any suspicious things, and more especially, from unknown people. Be receptive to actions of law enforcement officers during identity checks and give them assistance, where possible," the headquarters said.
In addition, there are calls on the Kazakh people there not to surrender to panic and be guided by official information from government authorities.
It was reported earlier that a group of religious radicals attacked two weapons stores, and a military unit's base, in Aktobe on Sunday. As a result, six persons were killed and 38 suffered injuries, mostly servicemen. The anti-terrorist operation left 12 criminals killed, six injured, resulting in the detention of nine and search for another six or seven.