Blast, firing outside Chinese consulate in Pakistan's Karachi; 3 attackers killed
Story highlights
Several embassies are located in Pakistan's Clifton area
A blast and heavy firing was reported near the Chinese consulate in Karachi's Clifton area on Friday morning, Pakistan media report said.
Pakistan's Geo TV news channel said the men hurled grenades and fired shots near Clifton's Block 4 near the Chinese consulate.
"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," the police chief, Amir Shaikh
Reports said two policemen have been killed in the firing. A security guard was injured in the attack.
The gunment tried to enter the consulate but were intercepted by security guards at a checkpoint, a police official said. Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah contacted the Chinese consul general and assured him that the situation will be taken under control.
A separatist militant group from the Pakistani province of Balochistan has claimed responsibility for an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi that left at least two people dead, its spokesman told AFP.
"We have carried out this attack and our action is continuing," the spokesman for the Balochistan Liberation Army, Geand Baloch, told AFP.
Authorities cordoned off the area and deployed contingents of police and Pakistani Rangers to deal with the situation.
Several consulates and High Commissions are located in the upmarket Clifton area including the British High Commission, Italian consulate, Russian consulate among others. Nearby schools and eateries have been locked down until the area is cleared.