HANOI: Four police officers were killed and two others injured in shootings at two police headquarters in Vietnam’s Central Highlands on Sunday, authorities said.

Sixteen people were arrested in connection with the shootings in Cu Kuin district of Dak Lak province, according to the official website of the ministry of public security (MPS).

Two people being held hostage by the attackers were freed, it added, while another person being held managed to free himself.

The attacks on the police headquarters of both Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

The MPS said four police officers were killed while on duty and had been given posthumous promotions. Two other officers were injured.

An earlier report on the site said local officials and civilians were also caught up in the attacks, but did not provide casualty figures. Investigators were searching for more suspects, it added.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2023