Militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claims responsibility for attack in Pakistan’s Karachi

Islamabad: Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the splinter group of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting a transport facility of Pakistan’s paramilitary Rangers in the southern port city of Karachi, as security forces continued a clearance operation, police sources said.

At least three Rangers personnel lost their lives in the attack, while four terrorists were also killed in the ensuing exchange of fire, the sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Law enforcement agencies launched a clearance operation following the explosion and gunfire at the site. During the operation, the body of a suspected suicide attacker was recovered, while aerial surveillance using drones was being conducted to monitor the area and support security efforts, Xinhua news agency reported quoting sources.

The clearance operation remained underway, with security personnel systematically searching and securing the premises, officials said.

Earlier on Saturday a facility of the paramilitary force in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar was attacked, in which three Rangers were killed, local media reported.

Intense firing was also reported near Meteorological Chowrangi on University Road following a loud blast, Geo TV reported.

Personnel from various law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the location.

According to the Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho, there had not been any confirmation about a blast having occurred or not, as the terrorists had rammed the main gate with their vehicle.

He also noted that three terrorists were killed in the attack on the local Rangers headquarters.

Odho also mentioned that the area had been cordoned off by the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF), Special Security Unit (SSU) commandos, and rangers personnel and a “mopping-up operation” was underway, Pakistan daily Dawn reported.

Spokesperson of Rescue 1122 noted that a report of a blast near Gulistan-e-Johar Block 5 was received by Rescue 1122 on Saturday.

Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh was dispatched to the incident site on the directives of CM’s Adviser on Rehabilitation Gyan Chand Essrani and Rescue 1122 (Sindh) Director General Brig (retd) Wajid Sibghatullah.

The Sindh inspector general and the Karachi additional inspector general were contacted by the CM and directed to ensure that police immediately reached the location and took necessary action to determine the nature of the incident.

IANS