KARACHI: Law enforces (including Sindh Police, Pakistan Army’s SSG and Sindh Rangers’ Special Operations Wing) had got the five-storey Karachi Police Office {(KPO) located adjacent to Saddar Police Station in front of Gora Qabrastan on Shahrah-e-Faisal} here cleared that had been attacked by three TTP militants who entered the ill-guarded premises by scaling the rear wall on Friday (17th of Feb 2023) evening 7.10PM.

After a four-hour gun battle Adviser to Chief Minister of Sindh Murtaza Wahab took to the Twitter to inform that the Shahrah-e-Faisal had been opened for traffic: “The latest information is that 4 people were martyred (2 policemen, 1 rangers and 1 civilian) while 14 people are injured, who are being treated. Out of the injured one person is critical while the condition of 13 injured persons is stable”.

Additional IGP Javed Alam Odho had earlier confirmed that his office was under attack. However, the building was cleared by 11PM. During this period the gunmen hurled 50 hand grenades. One of the two TTP militants who were wearing suicide jackets, exploded himself.

According to NPTV reporters all the lights of KPO had been switched off. The area is reverberating with the sound of firing and explosions.

TTP militants had hurled 4 hand grenades from the backyard but none of those exploded.

Two TTP militants were killed on the roof top while one exploded himself on the 4th floor of the building. One of the terrorists Zalanwar was from North Waziristan, 2nd militant from Lakki Marwat has been identified as Kifayatullah, while identity of the third militant is yet to be ascertained.

The firing had also claimed the lives of two Policemen, one rangers personnel and a sanitary worker of Karachi Police Office.

Exchange of firing by means of automatic rifles went on between the TTP terrorists (who entered the building from the backdoor in Police uniforms and remained holed-up in the KPO parking area) and the police personnel from the rooftop. Later Militants too ascended to the roof of the batiment.

Meanwhile, one Rescue personnel, who received two bullet wounds in the incident and had been taken to Jinnah Hospital, is out of danger. Twelve other wounded {including three rangers personnel & 5 policemen (one DSP and four constables)} are also being treated here.

CM Sindh had directed various DIGs to send Police force to the scene of combat. Quick Response Force of Rangers had cordoned the area off and main artery Shahrah-e-Faisal had been closed for traffic.

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, while commenting on the incident, said that after Peshawar mosque suicide blast such an attack was expected.

The three TTP militants arrived the scene of crime at 7PM by means of a white Corolla car. The seller of the car has been nabbed.

Karachi: President Dr Arif Alvi visited Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre to inquire after the health of the law enforcers who received bullet wounds during the skirmish with TTP gunmen.

Newspakistan.tv