Karachi Chinese consulate attack

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = Karachi Chinese consulate attack

| partof =

| image =

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| map = {{Location map|Pakistan#Karachi|label = Karachi Chinese consulate|position = none|lat_deg = 24|lat_min = 48|lat_sec = 21|lon_deg = 67|lon_min = 01|lon_sec = 53|float=center|caption=}}

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| location = Chinese consulate, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan

| target =

| coordinates = {{coord|24|48|21|N|67|01|53|E|display=inline,title}}

| date = 23 November 2018

| time = 9:30 am - 10:00 am

| timezone = PST

| type = Shooting, grenade attack{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/attack-chinese-consulate-pakistan-points-india-59389346|title=After attack on Chinese consulate, Pakistan points to India|publisher=ABC News|date=24 November 2018|access-date=25 November 2018}}

| weapons = Guns, grenades

| fatalities = 4 (+3 perpetrators)

| injuries = 1

| victims =

| perpetrators = Balochistan Liberation Army (claimed)

}}

On 23 November 2018, an armed assault on the Chinese consulate in Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan killed four people in an hour-long shootout.{{cite news |last1=Afzal Nadeem |first1=Dogar

|title=Attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi foiled; 2 policemen martyred

|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/219427-attack-on-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-foiled-2-policemen-martyred-3-terrorists-killed |work=Geo News |date=23 November 2018}}{{cite news |title=Karachi attack: China consulate attack leaves four dead

|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-46313136 |work=BBC |date=23 November 2018}}{{citation |title=Three suicide bombers killed in attack on Chinese consulate in Pakistan|publisher=Global News|date=23 November 2018|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/4691625/three-suicide-bombers-killed-in-attack-on-chinese-consulate-in-pakistan/}} Those killed were two policemen, two Pakistani civilians and the three attackers.{{cite news |title=Two policemen, two civilians killed in attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi's Clifton |url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2018/11/firing-heard-near-chinese-consulate-in-karachis-clifton/ |work=Samaa TV |date=23 November 2018}} No Chinese nationals were injured or killed in the attack.{{cite news |last=Shah |first=Saeed |last2=Dou |first2=Eva |date=23 November 2018 |title=Militants Attack Chinese Consulate in Pakistan |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/militants-attack-chinese-consulate-in-pakistan-1542957610}}{{cite news |last1=Hashim |first1=Asad |title=Gunmen attack Chinese consulate in Karachi |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/shots-heard-china-consulate-pakistan-karachi-181123051817209.html |work=Al Jazeera |date=23 November 2018}} The three attackers were also killed.{{cite web |last=Tunio |first=Hafeez |last2=Rauf |first2=Sajid |date=23 November 2018 |title=Attack on Chinese consulate foiled; two policemen martyred |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1852794/1-explosion-gunshots-heard-near-chinese-consulate-karachi/ |access-date=23 November 2018 |website=The Express Tribune |publisher=}}

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.{{cite news |title=Baloch separatist leader Harbiyar Marri among 13 booked for Chinese consulate attack |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1447419/ |work=Dawn |date=24 November 2018}}

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."{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1447330|title=ASP Suhai wins praise for heroic role during Chinese consulate operation|last=Masood|first=Tooba|date=24 November 2018|work=DAWN.COM|quote=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|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/pakistani-woman-police-commander-led-defence-of-chinese-mission-10967206 |title=Pakistani woman police commander led defense of Chinese mission |last=Hassan |first=Syed Raza |agency=Reuters |date=25 November 2018 |access-date=26 November 2018 |archive-date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505124021/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/pakistani-woman-police-commander-led-defence-of-chinese-mission-10967206 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/this-karachi-woman-police-officer-saved-many-lives-in-chinese-embassy-attack-in-pakistan/how-suhai-foiled-a-terriorist-attack/slideshow/66781805.cms|title=Here is how this Karachi woman police officer foiled a terrorist attack - Who is Suhai Aziz Talpur?|date=24 November 2018|website=The Economic Times|access-date=26 November 2018}}

=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.{{cite news |title=Father and son killed in Chinese Consulate attack laid to rest in Quetta |url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2018/11/father-and-son-killed-in-chinese-consulate-attack-laid-to-rest-in-quetta/ |work=Samaa TV |date=24 November 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1447192/terror-attack-on-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-foiled-3-terrorists-killed |title=Terror attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi foiled; 3 terrorists killed |publisher=Dawn |date=23 November 2018 |access-date=23 November 2018}}

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.{{cite news |title=BLA chief Hyrbyair Marri, 12 others booked for Chinese consulate attack |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1853649/1/ |work=The Express Tribune |date=24 November 2018}} On 24 November 2018, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Saleem Ahmed Khoso said that two brothers of Abdul Razzaq were arrested in Kharan.{{cite news |title=Brothers of man involved in consulate attack held in Quetta |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1447529 |work=Dawn |date=25 November 2018}}{{cite news |title=Four arrested in connection with Chinese consulate attack |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1853430/1/ |work=The Express Tribune |date=24 November 2018}}

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).{{cite news |title=Chinese consulate attack planned in Afghanistan, funded by RAW |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1886030/1/ |work=The Express Tribune}}

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. {{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-fails-to-prove-alleged-india-role-in-china-consulate-attack-101622278564795-amp.html|title=Pakistan fails to prove alleged India role in 2018 China consulate attack|date=29 May 2021|publisher=Hindustan Times}}

Perpetrators

The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack in a tweet that included a photo of three men{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/11/23/world/asia/23reuters-pakistan-china-casualties.html |title=Two Pakistani Policemen Killed, Guard Wounded in Attack on China Consulate in Karachi: Doctor |work=The New York Times|access-date=23 November 2018}}{{cite news |title=Chinese consulate attack: Four killed in thwarted raid in Karachi |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/23/asia/karachi-chinese-consulate-attack-intl/index.html |work=CNN |date=23 November 2018}} identified as Azal Khan Baloch, Razik Baloch and Rais Baloch. All of them were killed by police during the attack.

According to Express News, Aslam Baloch 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.{{cite news |title=Chinese consulate attack 'mastermind' being treated at New Delhi hospital|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1853189/1-chinese-consulate-attack-mastermind-treated-new-delhi-hospital/ |work=The Express Tribune |date=23 November 2018}} Aslam Baloch alias Achu was later killed in a suicide attack in Kandahar on 25 December 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-separatists/alleged-leader-of-chinese-consulate-attack-in-pakistan-reported-killed-idUSKCN1OP12H|title=Alleged leader of Chinese consulate attack in Pakistan reported killed|access-date=26 December 2018|publisher=Reuters}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/mastermind-of-chinese-consulate-attack-killed-in-afghanistan/2018/12/27/fe2bd9b4-0994-11e9-8942-0ef442e59094_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227115814/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/mastermind-of-chinese-consulate-attack-killed-in-afghanistan/2018/12/27/fe2bd9b4-0994-11e9-8942-0ef442e59094_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2018|title=Mastermind of Chinese Consulate attack killed in Afghanistan|access-date=27 December 2018|newspaper=Washington Post}} BLA spokesman confirmed Aslam Achu and five other BLA commanders' death in Kandahar.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/regional-46683778|title=Baloch militant commander Aslam Baloch alias Achu killed in a suicide attack in Kandahar|access-date=26 December 2018|language=ur|publisher=BBC Urdu}}

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."{{cite news |title=Conspiracy against Pak-China strategic cooperation, says PM Imran after consulate attack |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1852833/1/ |work=The Express Tribune |date=23 November 2018}}

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang during a regular press briefing said that "China strongly condemns any violent attacks against diplomatic agencies." He further said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project would proceed despite the attack.{{citation|title=4 killed in brazen attack at Chinese consulate in Pakistan|publisher=Associated Press|via=MSN|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/separatists-attack-chinese-consulate-in-pakistan-killing-4/ar-BBQ0gB1?OCID=ansmsnnews11|date=23 November 2018}} 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.

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".{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1447326|title=US, UK, India condemn attack on Chinese consulate|last=Desk|first=Monitoring|date=2018-11-24|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-strongly-condemns-terror-attack-on-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-118112300455_1.html|title=India strongly condemns terror attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2018-11-23|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2018-12-02}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/30628/India_strongly_condemns_terrorist_attack_on_Chinese_Consulate_in_Karachi|title=India strongly condemns terrorist attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi|website=www.mea.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-12-02}}

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."{{cite news |title=China strongly condemns attack on Karachi consulate |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1447201/china-strongly-condemns-attack-on-karachi-consulate |work=Dawn |date=23 November 2018}}

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.{{Cite web |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1854128/1-chinese-social-media-falls-love-sp-suhai-talpur-literally/ |title=Chinese social media falls in love with SP Suhai Talpur, literally |work=The Express Tribune |date=25 November 2018 |access-date=26 November 2018}}