Karachi Attack: Suicide blast, hours of gunfire, 10 dead, and…, how the attack on Pakistan Rangers headquarters unfolded and who is behind it? Chilling details revealed

Pakistan’s financial capital, Karachi, was rocked by a major terrorist attack on Saturday night after heavily armed militants targeted the provincial headquarters of the Pakistan Rangers. The attackers reportedly used a vehicle packed with explosives to ram into the Rangers compound before launching a gun assault, triggering a fierce exchange of fire with security forces.

According to reports, at least four members of the paramilitary force were killed in the attack. In the counter-operation, security forces claimed to have killed six terrorists and captured one attacker alive. Authorities said the assault was successfully foiled before the militants could cause further damage.

Who claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack?

According to the Associated Press, the extremist group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which is linked to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. Local media reported that the suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the main entrance of the Rangers headquarters in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area at around 8:30 pm.

The powerful blast was followed by intense gunfire between militants and security personnel. Reports said the exchange of fire continued for nearly 90 minutes before the attackers were brought under control.

How did Pakistani security forces respond?

Following the initial attack, commandos from Pakistan’s Special Security Unit and personnel from the Anti-Terrorist Force joined the Rangers in a large-scale operation. Authorities sealed off the Rangers compound and nearby roads while asking residents to remain inside their homes for safety.

Power supply was also temporarily suspended in parts of the surrounding area as the security operation continued for several hours. Officials later announced that the situation had been brought under control.

Why is this attack significant?

This is the first major terrorist attack in Karachi since October 2024 and is being described as the city’s biggest terror incident in nearly two years. In October 2024, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out a suicide attack near Karachi Airport that killed two Chinese engineers. Before that, the last major TTP attack in Karachi took place in February 2023, when militants stormed the Karachi Police Headquarters.