KARACHI: Unidentified armed men attacked the police chief’s office in Karachi near arterial Sharea Faisal while explosions were also heard before the gunshots, ARY News reported on Friday.
KPO operation concludes
Police and Rangers have concluded the operation to clear the Karachi Police Office (KPO) building from terrorists.
Three terrorists were killed in the joint operation of police and Rangers at KPO which continued for around four hours.
After concluding the op, the law enforcers commenced a search operation.
Suicide bomber on fourth floor
During the clearance operation at Karachi Police Office (KPO), a suicide bomber blew himself up on the fourth floor after security officials cleared the third floor.
A powerful explosion took place at KPO which came under terrorist attack today. The powerful explosion shattered the window glasses of nearby buildings and a cloud of smoke surrounded the building’s fourth floor.
A suspected suicide bomber blew himself up on the fourth floor.
Rangers, police operation
Rangers and police teams have started a joint operation against the terrorists following the armed attack on the Karachi Police Office (KPO) – the Additional Inspector General (AIG) Office.
The Rangers spokesperson said that the quick response force (QRF) of the paramilitary troops surrounded the KPO building and took their positions. An operation was started by Rangers and police to clear the KPO from terrorists.
The spokesperson added that the operation is being conducted on the reported presence of eight to 10 terrorists in the Karachi police chief’s office.
Two terrorists killed: IG Sindh
The Inspector General (IG) Sindh police said that two terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire with the security officials while the operation is still underway to neutralise possibly up to five more terrorists in the Karachi Police Office (KPO).
IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed that two terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire with the law enforcers and police cleared the third floor of the Karachi Police Office (KPO) – the additional inspector general (AIG) Karachi office adjacent to the Saddar police station.
He added that five more terrorists are possibly present at the KPO.
Moreover, Jinnah Hospital’s deputy director said that five injured persons were shifted to the emergency ward so far.
Sources said that the wounded persons included a citizen, a police official and three Rangers personnel. Earlier, it was reported that an Edhi volunteer namely Sajid was also injured in the KPO attack.
Terrorists used heavy arms, hand grenades
Unidentified armed men have carried out an attack on the Karachi police chief’s office which is adjacent to the Saddar police station.
The attackers hurled hand grenades from the backyard of the police head office and later they entered the four-storey building from the same route.
Police said staffers are still present in the police chief’s office when the attackers carried out explosions and gunfire.
Heavy contingents of police forces reached the head office. The lights of the police chief’s office were turned off. Police officials said that they are investigating the number of attackers and their positions.
Bulletproof vehicle enters KPO premises
After the explosions of hand grenades, a bulletproof vehicle entered the KPO premises.
The terrorists used hand grenades and heavy arms to stop the advancement of law enforcement agencies (LEAs). It was learnt that some terrorists were also present in an adjacent residential building.
Cop sends a message to officers
A besieged police official sent a message to fellow officers that there are more than 10 attackers divided into groups in the police chief’s office.
The attackers are resorting to firing at police contingents using heavy weaponry from the Karachi Police Office (KPO) backyard.
The KPO is surrounded by heavy contingents of police and Rangers.
Edhi volunteer injured
A rescue worker got injured in the firing and was shifted to Jinnah Hospital. The wounded rescue worker was identified as 25-year-old Sajid who is an Edhi volunteer. Sajid has reportedly received two bullets, rescue sources added.
Emergency has been imposed in Jinnah Hospital Karachi.
‘Six terrorists at KPO’
DIG South Irfan Baloch told the media that at least six terrorists were present inside KPO building. He said that the terrorists entered the building from the second entrance as per initial report.
DIG Baloch said that they are trying to kill or arrest the terrorists at the earliest.
CM takes notice
Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah took notice of the attack on the Karachi police chief’s office.
CM Murad Ali Shah directed deputy inspector generals (DIGs) to send contingents to the KPO and arrest the attackers. He sought a report from the concerned officer.
Kamil Arif serves as Crime Reporter for ARY News Karachi
