Terrorist attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi, China condemns attack
On Friday morning three heavily armed gunmen attacked Chinese consulate in the high security zone of Karachi. Two policemen and all three suicide bombers were killed in the ambush before the terrorists were able to enter the consulate.
Police Chief Amir Shaikh said, “There were three attackers and all three have been killed … They could not even get in the compound. They tried to get into the visa section”.
Shaikh said, “The terrorists first attacked the check post outside the consulate and detonated a hand grenade in the area”. Attackers killed two policemen and critically wounded another.
Residents heard first firing and explosion sound around 9:30 AM at E-Street neighbourhood, which is considered a red zone. In this area there are schools, upscale restaurants and some diplomatic missions.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement that all 21 Chinese staffers inside the consulate are safe.
5 people, including two policemen killed today in a terrorist attack near Chinese Consulate in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi#Pakistan #China https://t.co/vshNNzMJQ5
— Business Standard (@bsindia) November 23, 2018
After the attack, Prime Minister Office of Pakistan said in a statement that Prime Minister has ordered an inquiry into the attack.
The statement said, “The Prime Minister has ordered a complete inquiry into the incident and has desired that elements behind this incident must be unearthed”. It said, “Such incidents will never be able to undermine Pak-China relationship”.
China condemned the attack and asked Pakistan to ensure the safety of its citizens in the country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, “China strongly condemns any violent attacks against diplomatic agencies and requests that Pakistan takes practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country.”
