KARACHI: Rangers and Police have cleared the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) office; the headquarters of the city police, on Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Faisal, killing all terrorists after armed militants stormed the building on Friday evening.
During the clearing operation, 3 militants have been killed, while four people, including a ranger and a police officer, lost their lives. 18 people have been injured, officials confirmed.
According to initial reports, the attack began at around 7:10pm when unidentified terrorists targeted the five-storey police building.
Geo News reported citing an anonymous a police officer that the attackers entered the office wearing police uniforms — a similar move used in the Peshawar mosque suicide attack that claimed the lives of more than 80 people.
The attackers hurled hand grenades from the backyard of the police head office and later they attempted to enter the five-storey building.
During the clearance operation at Karachi Police Office (KPO), a suspected suicide bomber blew himself up on the fourth floor after security officials cleared the third floor.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the attack on the office of the additional inspector-general, instructing several DIGs to send police force to the site.
“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 mentioned that he is personally monitoring the situation and has directed officials concerned to arrest the suspects involved.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the assailants managed to enter the third floor of the building.
“They fired a rocket at the building. We are currently unable to contact the police personnel inside the building,” the minister told a private news channel, SAMAA TV, as the situation was unfolding.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has called to send additional security officials to the area in a bid to control the situation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice and sought a report on the incident. He appreciated the police and security forces for their effective action against the “terrorists”.
He instructed the interior minister to extend the federal government’s full cooperation in the clean-up operation. He underlined the need for collective action to root out the menace of terrorism.
He added that terrorists had once again targeted Karachi but said that these kind of cowardly acts would not weaken the resolve of law enforcement agencies.
President Dr Arif Alvi also strongly condemned the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons.
“The entire nation stands with its security forces against terrorists,” he said. “Efforts will continue to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.”
