afrol News, 22 April - UPDATE: The government of Lesotho has still not issued an official statement on the attacks at state house and other security sensitive areas in the country. At least four people who allegedly launched the attacks have been killed and one arrested, while the search for the remaining members of the group continues.

The deceased include one member of the Lesotho army, though reports did not clarify if he was part of the group or one of those reported to have been abducted by the attackers. The other three are said to be foreigners believed to be from Mozambique and South Africa.

Ealier in the day there were reports of of a fierce gun battle between the joint forces of South African police, the Lesotho army and police along the Caledon river which marks the boder between Lesotho and the Freestate province of South Africa.

Two members of the alleged group under pursuit, were reported to have send back heavy gun fighting against the forces. There were still no reports of their apprehension by very late afternoon.

The Maseru city has however remained calm throughout the day despite the early morning heavy gun sounds in the eastern outskirts of the city.

Some political observers have said the attacks looks like a repeat of last year's incidences whereby residences of ministers were attacked and firearms were taken from guarding soldiers. A number of soldiers were also abducted then, were a few injuries also recorded.

Observers have said the repeat brings a lot of suspicions on internal counflicts within the army and possible political inteference either from the ruling elite or the opposition players.

Lesotho is not new to this kind of skirmishes since the 1986 military coup, which was followed by numerous other political and military instability with the 1998 reaching the boiling point of the political tensions in the country that left most of the city looted and burned down to ashes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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