Karachi: Three heavily-armed suicide bombers Friday stormed the Chinese consulate in Pakistan’s largest city Karachi, killing four people including two policemen before being shot dead by security forces which foiled the daring attack in the high-security zone, authorities said.
The attack was claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) which said it would not tolerate “any Chinese military expansionist endeavours on Baloch soil”. The consulate, located in the posh Clifton area, came under attack early morning.
Three suspected suicide bombers were killed before they were able to enter the facility as forces successfully foiled the attack, Karachi Police chief Amir Shaikh said.
Nine hand grenades, Kalashnikov assault rifles, magazines and explosives were recovered from the possession of the terrorists, Geo News quoted police officials as saying. “Food supplies and medicines were also recovered from their possession,” officials said.
“We have received two dead bodies of policemen and an injured Chinese security guard who is under treatment,” said Seemi Jamali, the executive director at Jinnah Hospital.
Two civilians, a father and his son were also killed, officials said.
The Sindh government and the Pakistan Army confirmed that three terrorists were killed in the operation. The heavily-guarded E-Street neighbourhood, which is considered a red zone, is home to a number of upscale restaurants, diplomatic missions and schools.
The Bilawal House of Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also in the area. Schools and eateries have been locked down until a clearance operation is concluded.
Residents said they first heard firing and explosions around 9.30 AM (local time).
“The terrorists first attacked the checkpost outside the consulate and detonated a hand grenade in the area,” Shaikh said.
Shaikh said the attackers had parked their vehicle at some distance from the consulate before moving towards it.
Defence analyst and security contractor Ikram Sehgal, whose company’s guards have been posted at the consulate, said that the attackers had first engaged in an exchange of fire with policemen.
After the policemen and civilians were killed, he said, the attackers proceeded towards the gate of the consulate. However, the guards were quick to usher civilians with consular business into the building and shut the gates behind them.
The paramilitary rangers then reached the spot and engaged the attackers, he said.
Sheikh said that all Chinese staffers “are safe and secure”.
