Gunmen have attacked the office of the Karachi police chief located on main Sharea Faisal, with an operation currently under way, according to officials.
Three floors of the five-storey building have been cleared so far, said Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah, adding two floors and the rooftop remained. He said it was too early to confirm casualties as reports were still coming in.
A spokesperson for the Sindh Rangers said initial estimates suggest there are eight to ten “armed terrorists”. Reports of firing on Sharea Faisal — Karachi’s main thoroughfare with a number of strategic installations, including the Pakistan Airforce’s Faisal Base — emerged around 7:15pm.
The Saddar police station, which is located next to the police chief’s office, has also issued a statement saying it had come under attack. “SHO, PI Khalid Hussain Memon informed that unknown accused [attacked] Saddar police station near Karachi Police Office. Firing is going on everywhere,” the statement said.
Extra police contingents and Rangers have been called to the site of the attack.
According to the DIG South Irfan Baloch, that “spectacular” firing was ongoing but said that the situation would be brought under control. He, however, refused to comment on the number of people injured, saying that it could only be confirmed once officials would sweep the area.
He said that the entire city’s police force had been called to the scene, in addition to the Rangers and the QRF. He further said that the attackers had also lobbed hand grenades. He said that the attackers had come “fully prepared” and were putting up a “tough fight”.
The Rangers spokesperson said the Quick Response Force (QRF) have reached the scene and cordoned off the area. “Rangers, alongside the police, have begun an operation against the terrorists,” the spokesperson said.
Casualties
Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said that two dead bodies and three injured persons had been brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).
Dr Syed identified the injured as 45-year-old policeman Latif, 40-year-old Rangers official Abdul Rahim and 25-year-old Edhi worker Sajid.
An spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation identified the dead as Ajmal Masih, 40, and Ghulam Abbas, 45.
We thought the terrorists did not have access beyond KP and Balochistan: Sanaullah
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told Geo News that the provincial chief secretary and the Sindh IG had told him that six to seven people had come in a car and lobbed hand grenades.
“They reached the third floor,” he said. “The building also has guards and resistance is taking place on the third floor.”
He confirmed that police and Rangers had cordoned off the building. “According to the IG, police are trying to gain access to the building.”
“The IG said that the gate was well-guarded,” he said, adding that the hand grenades allowed the attackers to penetrate through security.
Sanaullah highlighted how there was a general threat after the Peshawar bombing. “We thought the terrorists did not have access beyond KP and Balochistan,” he said. “But now we can see they can reach other cities.”
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the situation and directed the relevant DIGs to send personnel from their zones. “I want the perpetrators behind the attack on the additional IG’s office to be arrested,” he said, adding that an attack on the police chief’s office was “not acceptable” at any cost.
The chief minister also sought a report from the officer concerned and said that he was personally monitoring the situation. He also directed Rangers to arrive at the scene.
Speaking to Geo News, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said additional contingents of police and Rangers had reached the site.
“CM Shah is personally monitoring the operation,” he said. “The people of Sindh will hear good news soon.”
He vowed to teach the “terrorists” a lesson, adding that “there was no way the terrorists would be able to flee”.
