Karachi Chinese consulate attack

On 23 November 2018, an armed assault on the Chinese consulate in Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan killed four people in an hour-long shootout.[2][3][4] Those killed were two policemen, two Pakistani civilians and the three attackers.[5] No Chinese nationals were injured or killed in the attack.[6][7] The three attackers were also killed.[8]

Karachi Chinese consulate attack
Karachi Chinese consulate is located in Pakistan
Karachi Chinese consulate
Karachi Chinese consulate is located in Karachi
Karachi Chinese consulate
LocationChinese consulate, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
Coordinates24°48′21″N 67°01′53″E
Date23 November 2018
9:30 am - 10:00 am (PST)
Attack type
Shooting, grenade attack[1]
WeaponsGuns, grenades
Deaths4 (+3 perpetrators)
Injured1
PerpetratorsBalochistan Liberation Army (claimed)

Attack

According to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) officer Raja Umar Khattab, the attackers shot and killed the two policemen at the first check-post. The attackers then detonated hand grenades and also tried to open the main armored gate of the consulate with the help of C-4 explosives but did not succeed. The heavy firing and hand grenade blasts killed two civilians, and damaged one armored personnel carrier, two police vehicles and six other cars parked outside the consulate, of which three caught fire.[9]

Policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur, a senior superintendent of the Karachi Police, told reporters, "Around 9 am, I got the news that there was an attack at the Chinese consulate. I was already on my way to work so we redirected and rushed to the crime scene. I already had my guards with me, senior officers were on their way. In the meantime we gathered the bomb disposal squad and fire brigade as well."[10] She organized and led the two-hour battle to defend the consulate. The battle ended after all three attackers were killed. According to Reuters, "Her fast response and actions during the nearly two-hour assault on the diplomatic mission in the southern port city have been praised for saving countless lives." She has been hailed as a hero in both Pakistan and China.[11][12]

Victims

The policemen killed at the check-post were identified as Assistant Sub Inspector Ashraf Dawood and Constable Muhammad Amir by the Sindh Police. The two civilians killed were a father and son from Quetta, named Niaz Muhammad, 55, and Zahir Shah, 25, respectively; at the time they were waiting to renew their visas at the consulate.[13] A private security guard Muhammad Jumman employed by the consulate was injured in the blast when he tried to stop the attackers from going past the barriers.[14]

Investigation

A first information report registered by Sindh Police's CTD on behalf of the state through Boat Basin SHO, booked BLA chief Hyrbyair Marri and twelve of his aides, including BLA commander Mian Aslam alias 'Achu' alias Meeraq Baloch, for masterminding and facilitating the attack. Police identified one of the attackers through fingerprints matched with National Database and Registration Authority records as Abdul Razzaq, son of Din Muhammad.[9][15] On 24 November 2018, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Saleem Ahmed Khoso said that two brothers of Abdul Razzaq were arrested in Kharan.[16][17]

According to AIG Dr Amir Shaikh, the attack was planned in Afghanistan and allegedly conducted with the support of India's spy agency Research and Analysis Wing with the aim of sabotaging the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).[18]

On 26 May 2021, Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan expressed displeasure at the failure of the prosecution to prove India role in the attack and present witnesses against suspected members of the Baloch Liberation Army for facilitating the attack on the Chinese consulate. [19]

Perpetrators

The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack in a tweet that included a photo of three men[20][21] identified as Azal Khan Baloch, Razik Baloch and Rais Baloch. All of them were killed by police during the attack.[9]

According to Express News, Aslam alias Achu - a commander of proscribed BLA, the mastermind of the attack on Chinese consulate was receiving medical treatment at the time at Max Hospital in New Delhi, India.[22] Aslam Baloch alias Achu was later killed in a suicide attack in Kandahar on 25 December 2018.[23][24] BLA spokesman confirmed Aslam Achu and five other BLA commanders' death in Kandahar.[25][23]

Reactions

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack stating, "let there be no doubt in anyone's mind that we will crush the terrorists, whatever it takes." He said that "the attack was intended to scare Chinese investors and undermine CPEC" while adding "these terrorists will not succeed."[26]

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang during a regular press briefing said that "China strongly condemns any violent attacks against diplomatic agencies."[27] He further said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project would proceed despite the attack.[28] The Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese embassy, Zhao Lijian, expressed appreciation for the Pakistan Army and police for their "timely and proper action" in response to the attack.[27]

The Ministry of External Affairs, India, released an official statement on the day of the attack itself, saying that India strongly condemns the terror attack and that "the perpetrators of this heinous attack should be brought to justice expeditiously".[29][30][31]

United States Chargé d'Affaires Ambassador Paul W. Jones, in a Twitter statement issued by the US embassy in Islamabad, said that the United States "condemns in the strongest terms today’s attack on the Chinese Consulate."[27]

Karachi policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur, who led the security operation that foiled the attack, became "a star" on Chinese social media. A photo of her surrounded by commandos went viral on social media in Pakistan.[32]

See also

References
  1. "After attack on Chinese consulate, Pakistan points to India". ABC News. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  2. Afzal Nadeem, Dogar (23 November 2018). "Attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi foiled; 2 policemen martyred". Geo News.
  3. "Karachi attack: China consulate attack leaves four dead". BBC. 23 November 2018.
  4. Three suicide bombers killed in attack on Chinese consulate in Pakistan, Global News, 23 November 2018
  5. "Two policemen, two civilians killed in attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi's Clifton". Samaa TV. 23 November 2018.
  6. Shah, Saeed; Dou, Eva (23 November 2018). "Militants Attack Chinese Consulate in Pakistan". The Wall Street Journal.
  7. Hashim, Asad (23 November 2018). "Gunmen attack Chinese consulate in Karachi". Al Jazeera.
  8. Tunio, Hafeez; Rauf, Sajid (23 November 2018). "Attack on Chinese consulate foiled; two policemen martyred". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  9. "Baloch separatist leader Harbiyar Marri among 13 booked for Chinese consulate attack". Dawn. 24 November 2018.
  10. Masood, Tooba (24 November 2018). "ASP Suhai wins praise for heroic role during Chinese consulate operation". DAWN.COM. I was already on my way to work so we redirected and rushed to the crime scene. I already had my guards with me, senior officers were on their way. In the meantime we gathered the bomb disposal squad and fire brigade as well.access-date=2018-11-26
  11. Hassan, Syed Raza (25 November 2018). "Pakistani woman police commander led defense of Chinese mission". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  12. "Here is how this Karachi woman police officer foiled a terrorist attack - Who is Suhai Aziz Talpur?". The Economic Times. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  13. "Father and son killed in Chinese Consulate attack laid to rest in Quetta". Samaa TV. 24 November 2018.
  14. "Terror attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi foiled; 3 terrorists killed". Dawn. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  15. "BLA chief Hyrbyair Marri, 12 others booked for Chinese consulate attack". The Express Tribune. 24 November 2018.
  16. "Brothers of man involved in consulate attack held in Quetta". Dawn. 25 November 2018.
  17. "Four arrested in connection with Chinese consulate attack". The Express Tribune. 24 November 2018.
  18. "Chinese consulate attack planned in Afghanistan, funded by RAW". The Express Tribune.
  19. "Pakistan fails to prove alleged India role in 2018 China consulate attack". Hindustan Times. 29 May 2021.
  20. "Two Pakistani Policemen Killed, Guard Wounded in Attack on China Consulate in Karachi: Doctor". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  21. "Chinese consulate attack: Four killed in thwarted raid in Karachi". CNN. 23 November 2018.
  22. "Chinese consulate attack 'mastermind' being treated at New Delhi hospital". The Express Tribune. 23 November 2018.
  23. "Alleged leader of Chinese consulate attack in Pakistan reported killed". Reuters. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  24. "Mastermind of Chinese Consulate attack killed in Afghanistan". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  25. "Baloch militant commander Aslam Baloch alias Achu killed in a suicide attack in Kandahar" (in Urdu). BBC Urdu. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  26. "Conspiracy against Pak-China strategic cooperation, says PM Imran after consulate attack". The Express Tribune. 23 November 2018.
  27. "China strongly condemns attack on Karachi consulate". Dawn. 23 November 2018.
  28. 4 killed in brazen attack at Chinese consulate in Pakistan, Associated Press, 23 November 2018 – via MSN
  29. Desk, Monitoring (24 November 2018). "US, UK, India condemn attack on Chinese consulate". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  30. "India strongly condemns terror attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  31. "India strongly condemns terrorist attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi". www.mea.gov.in. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  32. "Chinese social media falls in love with SP Suhai Talpur, literally". The Express Tribune. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
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