Two policemen were killed and one security guard was injured, after four gunmen carried out an attack at the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, today.
The incident took place when 4 gunmen attempted to enter the Chinese Consulate, but were stopped at a checkpoint by the constables stationed there. This led to firings, which resulted in the death of two constables and critically injured a security guard.
Pir Muhammad Shah, a senior police official, said, “Police and Rangers have reached the site.”
The clearing operations are being conducted by the security officials, the police and the Rangers.
The images of the attack, which showed smoke coming from the area, went viral on social media platforms.
The attack was carried out by a separatist group, Balochistan Liberation Army, based in Balochistan. Geand Baloch, the spokesperson of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA,) said, “We have carried out this attack and our action is continuing.”
The BLA is situated at the centre of a major Chinese investment project in Pakistan. The project, ‘China Pakistan Economic Corridor’ (CPEC,) a joint venture by China and Pakistan, is said to be the largest project under China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. The project comprises a network of roadways and seaways with the involvement of 65 countries, including Pakistan.
According to sources, this is not the first attack on Chinese workers. Ever since the CPEC project commenced, separatist groups have targeted Chinese workers.
High security measures were taken, with the deployment of security officials and Pakistani Rangers in Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan. The attacked area is on high alert and is being considered a red zone.
