Authorities evaluate security of diplomatic missions in Karachi

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On the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, law enforcers conducted a security audit of all diplomatic missions located in Karachi after the attack on Chinese consulate on Friday, a local news outlet reported on Sunday.

Speaking to the media outside the Chinese consulate, Frontier Corps (FC) personnel said, “The step has been taken to beef up security. One of the aspects of the step is to improve coordination among the law enforcers, including the FC and the police.”

Reportedly, 20 additional FC personnel have been added for the protection of foreign nationals in Karachi. In addition to this, Rangers, policemen and private security guards have also been deployed at the missions for their protection.

The staff of the Chinese consulate visited the crime scene on Sunday for the first time since the attack and took photographs in the presence of heavy security. “The nefarious plan of the terrorists was thwarted due to the security officials’ vigilance,” the consulate staff was told. The police and the law enforcement agencies’ (LEAs) performance was also lauded by the staff of the Chinese consulate.

Security forces staved off the brazen terrorist attempt to storm the Chinese consulate located in the upscale Clifton neighbourhood of Karachi. Four people, including two police officials, were martyred before all the three terrorists were taken down by security forces. The diplomatic staff inside the consulate remained unhurt.

Talking to the media after holding an important meeting at Scouts Headquarters, Karachi police chief Dr Ameer Sheikh said, “Some facilitators of the terrorists killed in the attack have been apprehended … they were in contact with the terrorists.” The meeting was attended by the zonal DIGs, SSPs, DSPs and SHOs. The additional inspector general of police said that the police with the coordination of other LEAs was investigating the matter.

AIG Sheikh commended the bravery and performance of police officials and officers who took part in the operation. He excused himself from giving further details, saying “the apprehended facilitators are being investigated”. Responding to a question, he said that he could not reveal the number of facilitators arrested as the security officials, especially the counter-terrorism department (CTD), were working on it.

Responding to another question about the high-level meeting, the Karachi police chief said that the meeting had been called as an international event “IDEAS” was being held in the city.

He said that the session was related to their preparedness for meeting challenges present in the light of the terrorists’ attempts to target Karachi in relation to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“All institutions, civil society and citizens are united against terrorism,” said the AIG, adding that the injured security guard also showed bravery in the attack on the Chinese consulate. He vowed to defeat terrorism through joint efforts.