Rumors on blasts, hostages in Aktobe completely false

Three men committed an armed assault on a taxi driver on June 21 (Thursday) in the Kirpichny village of Aktobe city. After that they opened fire on the police who were called to the scene and tried to apprehend the criminals. Police officer Temirbek Zhaksylykbayev died of wounds resulting from shootout, the statement by the Kazakh Prosecutor's General Office reads.

The criminals were detected in Krasnoshchekov Street two days later on June 23, 2012. Dwellers of the nearby houses were evacuated. The police summoned the trapped criminals to surrender, however, the bandits peppered them with fire in response. As a result of the shootout, two criminals were killed, one was injured.

Circulated rumors on blasts and hostages in connection with this case are hoax, the Kazakh Prosecutor's General Office says.

No casualties were reported among civilians. One rep of law-enforcement agencies was slightly injured.

The police have identified the criminals, the oldest is 23 years old and the youngest is only 18.