President, PM condemn Karachi police chief office attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi have condemned Friday’s terrorist attack on the office of the police chief in Karachi.

The building came under attack around 7:10pm, triggering an operation initiated by law enforcement agencies immediately after, with cops and soldiers of the Pakistan Army and Rangers taking on the terrorists together.

Three persons, including security personnel, were martyred, while 18 people sustained injuries. Five terrorists were also killed in the attack.

As the operation to clear the attackers out from the building has finally concluded, people from across the country, including officials and celebrities, have come together to condemn the attack.

President Dr Arif Alvi sent out a message of support through the President House Twitter account, stating: “The entire nation stands with its security forces against terrorists. Efforts will continue to eradicate the menace of terrorism.”

صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کی کراچی میں پولیس آفس پر حملے کی شدید الفاظ میں مذمت

صدر مملکت کی زخمیوں کی جلد صحتیابی کی دعا

پوری قوم اپنی سیکیورٹی فورسز کے ساتھ دہشت گردوں کے خلاف کھڑی ہے، صدر مملکت

دہشت گردی کی لعنت کے مکمل خاتمے کی کوششیں جاری رکھیں گے، صدر مملکت

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 17, 2023

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemning the attack, tweeted, ” I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the police in Karachi and salute the brave police and law enforcement personnel who foiled the attack. Terrorists may have forgotten that Pakistan is the nation which defeated terrorism with its bravery and courage.”

کراچی میں پولیس پر دھشتگردی کے واقعے کی بھرپور مزمت کرتا ہوں اور اس حملے کو ناکام بنانے والے بہادر پولیس و قانون نافذ کرنے والے ادارے کے اہلکاروں کو سلام پیش کرتا ہوں۔ دھشتگرد شاید بھول گئے ہیں کہ پاکستانی وہ قوم ہے جس نے اپنی ہمت و جواں مردی سے دھشتگردی کو شکستِ فاش دی تھی.1/2

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 17, 2023

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took to Twitter and tweeted, “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.”

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

Security forces cleared a five-storey police compound on the port city’s main thoroughfare in an hours-long operation during which three militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed while two policemen, one Rangers official and a citizen embraced martyrdom.

At least 19 men, mostly police and Rangers officials, sustained injuries in the exchange of fire with militants who stormed the heavily guarded Karachi Police Office after lobbing a hand grenade at its main entrance, police and hospital officials said.

The outlawed TTP has claimed responsibility for the latest ambush.