Four officers killed in Vietnam police station attacks

HANOI, June 12 (AFP): 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. Police could not be reached for comment.

The Central Highlands, home to a number of ethnic minorities, is considered a sensitive area for Vietnam's authoritarian government and has long been a hotbed of discontent over issues that include land rights.