Many killed in attack on Chad security agency, government blames opposition party

The government of Chad says several people were killed in an attack on the headquarters of the country’s national security agency.

The attack came hours after the transitional government announced on Tuesday that the presidential election would be held on May 6.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Chadian government accused “elements” of the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), an opposition party.

“The situation is now completely under control,” the statement said.

The number of deaths was not cited.

The statement also accused Ahmed Torabi, a member of the party, of carrying out an assassination attempt against Samir Adam Annour, the president of the Chadian supreme court.

The statement added that Torabi was arrested.

However, in a separate account, the general secretary of the PSF told Reuters that the deaths near the security agency occurred when soldiers opened fire at a group of party members.

The opposition general secretary said Torabi had been shot dead on Tuesday and his body was deposited at the agency’s headquarters.

The secretary added that party members and Torabi’s relatives on Wednesday went to look for his body at the agency and soldiers shot at them, which resulted in multiple deaths.

Chad’s transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby, and Yaya Dillo, PSF leader, intend to contest. Both men are cousins.

Residents said intense gunfire could be heard near the PSF base and several military vehicles were seen heading there.

Deby had promised to return the country to civilian rule but delayed it for over two years.