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.

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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.”

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.”

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.”

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.