KARACHI: Following a deadly attack in Peshawar’s Police Lines, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) Friday cleared the five-story police chief’s office after a nearly four-hour operation. Officials confirmed that at least three militants committed suicide by blowing themselves up and two were killed in a shootout as they searched the office located on Sharea Faisal’s main thoroughfare.
In the most recent attack on security forces as terrorism, it appears, once more grips the nation, four people—including Rangers and police personnel—lost their lives and 18 others were injured, according to officials who confirmed the news to Geo News. Top government officials have strongly condemned the incident, but Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told that “condemnations are not enough” and demanded strict action against militants.
After the attack at 7:10 p.m., police and Rangers personnel gradually cleared the five-story building, sweeping the entire office by 10:46 p.m. Near the station, police snipers took up positions, and all of the lights were turned off. An anonymous police officer told Geo News that the attackers entered the office while wearing police uniforms, a strategy reminiscent of the Peshawar mosque suicide attack that left more than 80 people dead. Police officials reported that several rounds were fired at the head office, which is close to the Sadar Police Station, by armed suspects whose exact number is currently unknown.
Traffic on Karachi’s main thoroughfare was blocked off by police, and large security force contingents—including Rangers and Pakistan Army commandos from the Special Service Group—arrived at the scene. Police and Rangers commandos had arrived at the scene, according to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, to deal with the terrorists. He assured them that “all assistance will be provided” and that the federal government is in contact with the Sindh Police. According to the chief secretary and IG Sindh, who Sanaullah claimed he had spoken to, the police saw “six to seven terrorists” enter the structure.
In response to a query, he stated that the Peshawar terror attack has increased the threat to general security. He continued, “All the institutions are fully alert throughout the nation.” The security czar emphasized the importance of taking additional measures to combat the recent wave of terrorism. The terrorists allegedly threw a grenade after parking the car and then used that as a cover to break into the building, according to the police, he revealed.
