UPDATE - Sporadic gunfire heard after attack on Chadian national security agency

ADDS NEW DETAILS; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Sporadic gunfire was heard in the Chadian capital of N'Djamena following an attack on the National State Security Agency which killed several people Wednesday, according to media reports.

Earlier Wednesday, the government said the situation had been brought "totally under control" and the perpetrators were arrested, according to a statement by Communication Minister Abderaman Koullamalah, who said an investigation had been launched.

Authorities blamed the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders for the attack, according to the statement.

"The perpetrators of this act have been arrested or are being sought and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law," it added.

Urging calm, Koullamalah said the exact death toll would be announced at a later date.

The situation remained tense as sporadic gunfire was heard in the afternoon in the Bololo and Klemat districts, where the headquarters of the Socialist Party Without Borders is located. Military vehicles were blocking roads before a relative lull set in, local media reported.

“The movement of heavily armed military vehicles was observed across the capital. Military presence has been kept on the roads leading to the office of Yaya Dillo's party. Several battle tanks and armored vehicles were deployed,” according to the Alwihdainfo news portal. Dillo is the leader of the opposition.

Also, following the incident, internet connection was disrupted in the country, NetBlocks, the internet’s observatory reported.

Meanwhile, the government announced the arrest of an official in charge of finance in the Socialist Party Without Borders.

The official is accused of the “attempted assassination” of the President of the Supreme Court, Samir Adam Annour, who was a victim of an attack by unidentified individuals on Feb. 19, said Koullamalah.

Chad's National Election Management Agency said Tuesday that the country would be holding a presidential election May 6, marking a transition to civilian rule.

Authorities have warned that disrupting the ongoing democratic process would be met with prosecution.