At least three Sindh Rangers personnel were martyred on Saturday after terrorists attacked a facility of the paramilitary force in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar, the province’s police chief said.
Speaking to media, Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho said that, according to initial information, three terrorists were also killed in the attack on the local Sindh Rangers headquarters.
The provincial police chief added that it had not initially been confirmed whether a blast had also taken place, adding that the terrorists had rammed the main gate with their vehicle.
Odho further said that a “mopping-up operation” was underway and that the area had been cordoned off by Special Security Unit (SSU) commandos, the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) and rangers personnel.
Earlier, law enforcers rushed to the locality after heavy firing and an explosion were reported in the area.
Special units, including the Rapid Response Force and police commandos, were dispatched to the scene to take control of the situation, the broadcaster said.
The general area was also cordoned off by police and paramilitary personnel.
Rescue 1122 Sindh said it had received reports of an explosion near Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 5 and immediately dispatched teams to the scene from its central command and control centre.
According to the rescue service’s spokesperson, Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh was also dispatched to the incident site on the directives of Chief Minister’s Adviser on Rehabilitation Gyan Chand Essrani and Rescue 1122 (Sindh) Director General Brig (retd) Wajid Sibghatullah.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of reports of an explosion and firing near Mosamiat Chowrangi and sought a detailed report of the incident, according to his spokesperson.
The chief minister contacted the Sindh inspector general and the Karachi additional inspector general, directing them to ensure that police immediately reached the site and took necessary action to ascertain the nature of the incident.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar also took notice of the incident in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and sought a detailed report from the additional IG. He directed that all details of the incident be submitted as soon as possible, according to the Home Department.
Separately, at least eight militants were killed and several others sustained injuries in two separate operations in Balochistan, the Pakistani military said on Saturday.
Security forces conducted the latest operations in Kharan and Mastung districts of the region, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
Three militants were killed and several others were injured in Kharan, while five others, including a suicide bomber, were eliminated during the Mastung operation.
“Weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and motorbikes used by these terrorists were also recovered,” the ISPR said.
“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area.”
Balochistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, with attacks targeting foreigners, infrastructure projects, security forces, police and non-native Pakistanis.
Last month, more than 30 people died when a suicide bombing targeted a passenger train in the restive region, officials said. The attack was claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army separatist group.
Pakistan has frequently blamed India of backing these separatist groups for attacks in Balochistan.