At least two terrorists were killed during an ongoing exchange of fire in and outside the office of the Karachi police chief as militants stormed the building located on Sharea Faisal, media reports said citing Sindh Inspector-General Ghulam Nabi Memon.
The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) office located on Karachi's main artery, Shahrae Faisal, came under a gun and bomb attack on Friday evening, officials confirmed, Samaa TV reported.
At least one police officer has been martyred in the attack while an Edhi volunteer has been injured, Samaa TV reported.
Police surgeon Summaiya Syed said that one injured worker from the Edhi Foundation has been brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment, Dawn reported.
Sound of heavy and frequent exchange of fire and explosions emanating from the police complex, located near the Financial Trade Center (FTC) on main Shahrae Faisal, spread fear and panic in the area, the report said.
"The Karachi police office has come under attack," Additional Inspector General, Javed Alam Odho, confirmed.
Sources said that there could be eight to 10 attackers, who came in a white vehicle while some officials said the terrorists gained access to the complex from the rear where the motor vehicle pool and workshop is maintained, Samaa TV reported.
Shortly after the sound of gunfire was reported, heavy contingent of police from nearby police stations was dispatched to the spot.
The lights inside the police headquarters were also turned off to prevent the terrorists from knowing where to go. Shahrae Faisal near the police station has been blocked for traffic as well, Samaa TV reported.
Around 60-70 staff work in the building, but by evening this number falls as people leave for the day.
Those inside said that they have locked themselves in their rooms to stay safe from the terrorists, Samaa TV reported
Confirming the incident, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is personally monitoring the situation.
Terming any suspected assailants involved as terrorists, he said that heavy contingent of police and paramilitary rangers have been dispatched to the spot, Samaa TV reported.
The locality from where the firing was reported is a densely populated area and the Saddar police station and Police Lines are also located nearby.
It is located just off Shahrae Faisal, which is the main artery of the city connecting the downtown, business district with the rest of the city and is full of commuters heading home for the day resulting in a rush hour, Samaa TV reported.
The firing reportedly took place at a time when security is already on high-alert in the city following the arrival of international cricket players for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the recently concluded international naval military exercise, Aman 2023.
Earlier in the day, the Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars practiced at the National Bank Arena in Karachi.
"I want the perpetrators behind the attack on the additional IG's office to be arrested," Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said, adding that an attack on the KPO is "not acceptable" at any cost, Dawn reported.
The Chief Minister also sought a report from the officer concerned and said that he is personally monitoring the situation.
Two drowned in Pune bridge collapse, PM Modi speaks to CM Fadnavis
At least two people were killed, 32 others injured, while a total of 41 people were rescued after they fell into an overflowing river when an old bridge they were crossing collapsed in Maharashtra's Pune district on Sunday.
Haifa port in Israel operating normally despite Iran attack
There has been no damage to Israel’s Haifa port in the Iranian ballistic missile attack on an oil refinery nearby and cargo operations are progressing unhindered, according to media reports.
No recommendation, no discrimination: HM Amit Shah hails UP’s inclusive recruitment drive
In a historic ceremony, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed appointment letters to 60,244 newly selected police personnel at the Defence Expo Ground in Sector 18, Vrindavan. Out of these 60,000 recruits, more than 12,000 comprised women.
Round-the-clock DNA profiling underway: FSL Gandhinagar Director explains complex process
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, has been operating around the clock to identify victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash through DNA profiling and matching.
Civil Aviation Ministry issues strict instructions to DGCA to enforce chopper safety
In the wake of a tragic helicopter crash in the Gaurikund area of Uttarakhand, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday issued strict instructions to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to enforce all safety protocols related to chopper operations in hilly and sensitive areas like the Kedarnath valley.
‘Harming Indians will invite punishment’, HM Shah on Op Sindoor
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that through the anti-terror Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a strong message across the world that the bloodshed of Indians will invite punishment.
Dassault CEO trashes Pakistan's claims on downing Rafale jets
Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier has dismissed as "factually incorrect" Pakistan’s claims about having shot down three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor.
Tripura BJP stages protest over vandalism at Tagore's ancestral home in B'desh
Ruling BJP in Tripura on Saturday staged state-wide protests along the Bangladesh border, protesting the recent attack and vandalism of the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in the neighbouring country.