KPO terror attack: Security forces seize more ammunition, detain 10 suspects
Pakistan
Three terrorists had attacked the KPO on Friday evening
KARACHI (Dunya News) -The Karachi police aided by security forces, bomb disposal squads and K9 teams conducted a final search operation at the Karachi Police Office on Sunday and recovered 12 more accessories and ammunition.
Officials also took 10 suspected people into custody.
Sources told Dunya News that the seized items were believed to have been used by terrorists.
The items recovered included hand grenades, two pistols packed in plastic boxes with complete accessories, watches, wallets, used and unused 210 bullets, USBs, pistol holders, and suicide jackets.
Additionally, several 9mm bullet packets, a dagger, a digital camera, and smart mobile phones were also recovered.
Meanwhile, Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon called a meeting today to discuss important security measures in the aftermath of the KPO attack.
Officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch, Foreign Security Cell, Training, Finance, SSU, and Rapid Response Force are expected to participate. Zonal DIGs, Range DIGs, and SSPs across Sindh will attend the meeting.
-- Police register FIR --
The city police have registered a case in terrorist attack on the Karachi Police Office (KPO). The case has been registered on the complaint of Saddar Station House Officer (SHO) Khalid Hussain.
The case has been registered under murder and attempted murders sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and multiple sections of the Anti-terrorism Act at the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station.
According to the FIR, a group of terrorists attacked the Karachi police at 7:15pm and used grenades side by side firing. Security forces aided the police in battling with the suspects.
Five members of the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including three killed during crossfire, have been nominated in the case.
Further FIR details reveal that DIG South Irfan Baloch led the operation. Three terrorists were involved in the attack, one of them blew himself up at the third floor of the building, while another was killed during crossfire with the law enforcers at the fourth floor.
The third suspect was also killed at the rooftop. Four officials of Rangers and police lost their lives in the operation.
The TTP claimed responsibility of the attack through social media. Two terrorists, who were riding a bike, dropped their three accomplices near the Saddar Police Lines and escaped. Five grenades and two suicide vests were seized after the operation.
Three terrorists had attacked the Karachi police office on Friday evening. In the exchange of fire, three terrorists lost their lives while four people including Rangers sub-inspector Taimoor and police official Ghulam Abbas lost their lives.
As many 19 people suffered injuries and they included Lt Col Jawad of Rangers and DSP of Special Service Unit Haji Abdul Razzaq. The injured are being treated at the hospital.
-- Probe launched --
Police on Saturday launched an investigation into Friday evening’s devastating attack on the Karachi Police Office (KPO), as law enforcers tried to connect the dots behind the incident claimed by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Two of the attackers have been identified, while the last rites of the martyred officers and a civilian were also performed. Separately, Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir visited the injured along with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.
Earlier, Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon constituted a five-member committee to investigate the attack that took place on the Karachi police head office.
DIG Zulfiqar Larik will head the body. DIG South Irfan Baloch, CIA DIG Kareem Khan, PCTD SSP Tariq Nawaz and Counter Terrorism Department Incharge Raja Umer Khatab are part of the committee.
-- Army chief says terrorists have no religious or ideological moorings --
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday said the security forces remained singularly focused on counter-terrorism and intelligence-based operations (IBOs) being conducted all over the country with pronounced success on the contrary to political and other distractions being faced by the public.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations’ (ISPR), during his visit to the metropolis, the army chief along with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were briefed about the Karachi Police Office (KPO) incident at Corps Headquarters.
Thereafter, the COAS and CM visited Karachi Police Office (KPO), where last night successful coordinated counter- terrorism (CT) operation involving Pak Army’s Special Service Group (SSG), Pakistan Rangers Sindh and Sindh Police cleared the site.
The CM and COAS also visited Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and met the injured Police and Sindh Rangers personnel.
They praised the bravery, morale and sacrifices of Army, Police and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) in the line of duty.
The CM stated that State acknowledged and saluted innumerable sacrifices rendered by law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and nation’s unbreakable resolve against terrorism.
The COAS emphasised, “Terrorists have no religious or ideological moorings, rather only misguided conception forced through coercion or inducement.”
He continued, “No nation can overcome such challenges with ‘kinetic actions’ only. It needs mutual trust, will of the people and synergy between all stakeholders.”
“Pakistanis have always rejected and defeated terrorism and extremism in all its manifestations. Together we shall prevail upon this menace for a shared prosperous future,” the COAS concluded.
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Commander Karachi Corps Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar.
