Police officials detain a suspected militant from the site of a shooting at a police training centre in Lahore March 30, 2009. [Agencies]

Police captured one of the suspected gunmen six hours after the initial assault, dragging the scruffy, bearded man to a field outside the academy and kicking him.

Iftikhar confirmed that six militants were arrested. Of the eight dead, two blew themselves up, he said. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said eight police were killed, while Punjab police spokesman Athar Khan said there three civilians were among the dead.

On the roof of the building where hostages were kept, an AP photographer saw body parts, blood and spent ammunition strewn about, and several police officers, apparently hostages, came out with their hands above their heads in fear.

As the siege ended, black-clad Pakistani commandos fired their guns in the air in celebration at the top of the building, shouting "God is Great!" and "Long live Punjab police!"

No militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan has endured scores of suicide bombings and other attacks in recent years, and it faces tremendous US pressure to eradicate al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents on its soil. Most of the violence occurs along the country's northwest border with Afghanistan, but attacks have occurred in all the major cities.

Monday's attack occurred close to the Indian border.