In-focus

Pakistan

Two policemen martyred, three terrorists killed in attack on Chinese consulate

Dunya News

Five individuals have sustained injuries in the incident.

KARACHI (Dunya News) - At least two policemen were martyred and three terrorists were killed on Friday in an attack on Chinese consulate located in Clifton area of Karachi.

Five individuals sustained injuries and were shifted to Jinnah hospital for medical assistance. The medical director of hospital Seemi Jamal told that two of the injured were in police uniform while one in civil dress.

Pakistani security personnel move in the compound of Chinese Consulate. --- AP

A blast and gunshots rang out in the affluent Clifton neighborhood and a plume of smoke rose over the area after the explosion.

At least three to four suspects arrived at the consulate in a white coloured vehicle and opened fire on the security guard. The unknown assailants tried to enter the building however; the guard retaliated and foiled their attempt.

Heavy contingent of police, Rangers, Frontier Corps (FC) and army were deployed to the area who managed to control the situation. Security forces cordoned off the area while all the traffic enroute towards the consulate was blocked.

Read More: China ‘strongly condemns’ Pakistan consular attack

Security personnel stand guard at an entrance of the Chinese Consulate. --- AP

"They were holding Kalashnikovs. First, they hurled a small (grenade) and then started firing," said Allah Bakhsh, a guard at a nearby house who witnessed the attack.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Javed Alam Odho confirmed the death of the two policemen. He told that two suicide jackets were also recovered from the terrorists. The deceased officers were identified as Assistant Sub Inspector Ashraf Dawood and Constable Amir, say Sindh police.

Additional Inspector General of Police Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh said that the firing has ended and the area has been cleared by Bomb Disposal Squad and security forces. 

He said the three attackers came in a car filled with explosives but failed to get inside the heavily fortified compound. “They tried to get inside but the Rangers and police killed one of the terrorists,” Shaikh said.

A gun battle broke out with the two other attackers, but they were also killed, he added.

Volunteers gather outside the Chinese Consulate. --- AP

“There were three attackers and all three have been killed,” Shaikh said. “They could not even get in the compound. They tried to get into the visa section.”

He added that one of the attackers was wearing a suicide vest and that authorities would try and identify the assailants through fingerprints.

"Terrorists attempted to enter Chinese consulate. Rangers and police have got control. Three terrorists killed. All Chinese safe. Situation under control," the army’s media wing said in a statement.

Sindh CM meets Chinese Consul General

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah met with the Chinese consul general. He has directed the relevant departments to increase the security and ensure safety of the staff.

Governor Sindh Imran Ismail also took notice of the incident and directed the Inspector General to provide him report on the matter.

Government condemns attack

Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack, describing it as part of a conspiracy against Pakistan and China’s economic and strategic cooperation. Khan lauded the Karachi police and the paramilitary rangers, saying they showed exceptional courage in defending the consulate and that the “nation salutes the martyrs.”

He ordered an investigation and vowed that such incidents would never be able to undermine relations with China, which are “mightier than the Himalayas and deeper than the Arabian Sea.”

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar condemned the incident and lauded the security forces for foiling the terror attack.

Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad that "all the terrorists have been eliminated", and that all 21 staff at the consulate during the attack had been taken to a safe location.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the security agencies foiled a big conspiracy in Karachi and killed all the three terrorists. He vowed to nab the culprits behind the attack

The security of the consulate was boosted following an attack on it two years back.

 

Terrorist behind Chinese consulate attack identified

 

Inspector General of Sindh Police (IGP) briefed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on an attack on Chinese consulate located in Clifton area of Karachi.

Presenting initial report to the Sindh CM, the IGP said that the process of identification of terrorists involved in attack on Chinese consulate has been completed.

One terrorist was identified as Abdur Razzaq, a government employee was a resident of Balochistan’s Kharan area.

The IGP said that two civilians were also martyred in the attack.

Murad Ali Shah directed the Sindh IGP to contact Baloshistan government and share details.

He also expressed satisfaction over the operation carried out jointly by the police and Rangers.

The Sindh CM said that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and South Karachi police will investigate the incident.

--- with inputs from Reuters, AP and AFP.

Related Topics
Karachi