Karachi Rangers base stormed: Six militants killed, four security personnel dead

Police and rescue teams rushed to the area following reports of an explosion and subsequent gunfire, Dawn reported. Authorities sealed off the neighbourhood as security personnel launched an operation to secure the area.

In Short

• Suicide bomber attacks Sindh Rangers HQ
• Intense gunfight lasting 30 minutes follows explosion
• Karachi Police seal area, Sindh CM seeks detailed report

`A major terror attack struck Pakistan's commercial capital on Saturday night when heavily armed militants stormed a Sindh Rangers headquarters in Karachi, triggering an intense gunfight that left four paramilitary personnel dead and six attackers killed.

According to security officials, militants linked to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), launched the assault on the Rangers' Bhittai Wing compound in Karachi's Gulistan-e-Jauhar area at around 8:30 pm.

The attackers breached the facility before Rangers personnel, backed by Special Security Unit (SSU) commandos and the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF), mounted a counter-operation. After nearly 90 minutes of fighting, security forces killed six militants and captured another attacker alive despite injuries sustained during the encounter.

Four Rangers personnel lost their lives while defending the compound.

Authorities cordoned off the area as security forces cleared the premises and searched surrounding neighbourhoods. Residents were advised to stay indoors amid prolonged exchanges of gunfire, while power outages were reported in parts of the vicinity during the operation.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar later claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, which has primarily operated in Pakistan's northwestern regions along the Afghan border, has been involved in numerous attacks targeting civilians, security forces and government installations.

The assault marks Karachi's first major terrorist attack since October 2024 and underscores persistent security concerns despite a relative decline in militant violence in the city in recent years.

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