Karachi, Pakistan – At least three members of Pakistan's paramilitary security forces were killed and two others injured after heavily armed militants launched an attack on the headquarters of the Pakistan Rangers in Karachi on Saturday, according to Pakistani authorities.
Police said security forces killed four of the attackers during the operation, while a clearance operation continued in and around the compound following the assault.
According to officials, the attack began when a vehicle carrying explosives rammed into the main entrance of the Rangers headquarters in Karachi's Gulistan-i-Jauhar area. The blast was followed by an armed assault as militants attempted to enter the facility, triggering an exchange of gunfire with security personnel.
Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho said initial investigations indicate the attackers used a vehicle to breach the compound's entrance before opening fire. Authorities are continuing investigations to establish the sequence of events and assess the full extent of the attack.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said he had sought an immediate report from law enforcement agencies after receiving information about the explosion and gunfire.
Security forces, including Pakistan Rangers, Special Security Unit commandos and the Anti-Terrorism Force, sealed off the surrounding area and conducted an extensive search operation to ensure no additional attackers remained in the vicinity.
The Edhi Foundation, Pakistan's largest emergency medical service, confirmed that at least two injured individuals were transported to hospital for treatment.
An affiliate of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter faction linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. The group said nine militants participated in the assault, although Pakistani authorities have not independently verified that claim.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operates independently from Afghanistan's Taliban government despite sharing ideological roots.
Pakistan has experienced an increase in militant attacks in recent years, particularly targeting security forces, police installations and military facilities. Karachi, the country's largest city and financial hub, has witnessed several high-profile attacks over the past decade, although security conditions had improved significantly following extensive counterterrorism operations.
Authorities said investigations into Saturday's attack remain ongoing. (Source: AlJazeera)
