Pakistan: Terrorists Attack Karachi Police Chief's Office, 5 Cops Injured; TTP Claims Responsibility

A group of heavily-armed Pakistani Taliban militants on Friday evening barged into the Karachi Police chief’s office and opened fire at cops, leading to heavy gun battle between them. As per local media, all terrorists were killed by security forces in nearly two-hour-long gun battle. The Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility of the attack.

Sounds of heavy firing and some small explosions were heard at around 7:10 pm local time. Five policemen got injured in the attack and were taken to Jinnah hospital. Senior Police Official, DIG South Irfan Baloch reportedly said that during the standoff, a policeman and a civilian were also killed.

Karachi Police Chief Javed Odho confirmed in a tweet that his office was under attack but said the security forces had responded strongly.

Police sources said at least eight attackers, who came wearing police uniforms, barged into the office and reached the fourth floor and terrace of the building.

According to local media, armed men attacked the station with half a dozen hand grenades into the main compound of the Karachi Police Chief’s office building and then entered the premises.

“Heavy firing is going on between paramilitary rangers, police and the attackers. All mobile vans in the district and area have been summoned urgently to the spot to surround the attackers,” news agency PTI quoted a police source as saying.

Police has sealed off traffic on the main road through the city and heavy contingents of security forces, including paramilitary soldiers, arrived at the scene.

The locality where the firing was reported is a densely populated area and the Saddar Police Station and Police Lines are also located nearby. The office is located near the main artery road of Karachi which goes from downtown to the airport.

The incident comes at a time when security is already on high-alert in the city following the arrival of international cricket players for Pakistan Super League and the recently concluded international naval military exercise Aman 2023.

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