Nine people were killed and dozens injured Friday when Taliban militants stormed a training institute in the northwestern city of Peshawar as Pakistan marked the birthday anniversary of the Prophet Mohammed, officials said.

Police said four burqa-clad militants opened fire on the gates of the Agriculture Training Institute, injuring the guard before making their way inside.

Peshawar Police Chief Muhammad Tahir Khan said three gunmen had been killed and that security forces were carrying out a clearance operation inside the building to track down for any remaining militants.

“The clearance operation is under way,” he told AFP.

Spokeswomen for two hospitals in the city said they had received a total of nine bodies and were treating some 38 injured, including several in critical condition.

A spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Muhammad Khurasani, claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to AFP.

Source: AFP