Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have successfully cleared the five-storey Karachi police chief’s office after nearly a four-hour operation, resulting in the death of five terrorists.
Late evening on Friday, unidentified armed men attacked the Karachi police chief’s office. The attackers hurled hand grenades from the backyard of the police head office and later they entered the five-storey building from the same route.
In view of the terrorists’ attack, the Karachi Traffic Police blocked both sides of Sharea Faisal from Avari Hotel to Nursery and the Sindh government requested citizens to stay put where they were.
Read more: 12 TTP militants slain – Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts in full swing
Meanwhile, the entire city’s police force had been called to the scene, in addition to the Rangers and the Quick Response Force (QRF), and an operation was launched to clear the building of the terrorists.
At least three militants blew themselves, while two were gunned down in the shootout. Four people — including Rangers and police personnel — also lost their lives, and 18 people were injured
Chilling videos from the scene also surfaced on social media, showing the security forces countering the terrorists. In one of the videos, security personnel on the ground and on the roof of the building chanted slogans of “Allah hu Akbar” and “Pakistan Zindabad” as the clean-up operation was a success.
🚨 Breaking News: #Karachi Police office Building Clear.#Karachi pic.twitter.com/OFMkMbkP0Z
— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) February 17, 2023
While the nation praised the security officials for their bravery in neutralizing the terrorists, calls for strict action against militants were once again reinstated. Pertinent to mention that Friday’s attack comes shortly after the horrific attack on Peshawar’s Police Lines.
Read more: Security officials win praise for thwarting Mianwali terror attack
Friday’s terror attack in Karachi is being widely condemned. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman (PPP) — whose party is in power in the province — while praising the police said such cowardly attacks will not deter the nation.
Condemn the terrorist attack on Karachi police. Sindh police have bravely faced and crushed terrorism before. We have full faith they will do so again, such cowardly attacks will not deter us. #IstandwithKarachiPolice
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) February 17, 2023
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the terror attack and said that Pakistan will not only uproot terrorism but will end this evil forever.
پاکستان نہ صرف دھشگردی کو جڑ سے اکھاڑ پھینکے گا بلکہ دھشتگردوں کو انکے کیفرِ کردار تک پہنچا کر دم لے گا۔ گزشتہ دو دہائیوں میں اس قوم نے اپنے لہو سے دھشتگردی کا ڈٹ کر مقابلہ کیا، یہ عظیم قوم آزمائش کی اس گھڑی میں بھی اس ناسور کو ہمیشہ کیلئے ختم کرنے کیلئے پرعزم ہے۔ 2/2 https://t.co/wFmINhhIpL
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 17, 2023