Pakistan's military reported on Sunday that three members of its paramilitary Rangers force were killed and four others injured following an attack by militants the night before on a regional headquarters located in the southern port city of Karachi.
According to police and witnesses, a militant drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the provincial headquarters of the Pakistan Rangers in Karachi on Saturday night, which initiated heavy gunfire exchanges with security forces.
In a statement, the military confirmed that security forces killed three attackers and apprehended a fourth who was wounded. The captured suspect was identified by the military as an Afghan national.
The military stated that operations were ongoing in the vicinity and warned that Pakistan would retaliate against those responsible for the assault. In recent years, Pakistan has conducted airstrikes within Afghanistan, claiming these targeted militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has repeatedly denied permitting militant groups to utilize Afghan territory for cross-border attacks.
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack shortly after it took place.
The military characterized the group as an Indian proxy but did not offer evidence to substantiate this claim. India issued no immediate comment, and New Delhi has denied similar accusations in recent years.
President Asif Ali Zardari honored the three Rangers personnel who were "martyred" in the assault, offered condolences to their families, and wished the wounded a swift recovery in a statement released by his office. He also commended the sacrifices made by Pakistan's security forces in combating militancy and reiterated the nation's commitment to eradicating terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also denounced the attack and commended the security forces for repelling the assault.
Pakistan has experienced an increase in militant attacks aimed at police and security forces over recent years.
The military added that operations remained active to eliminate any remaining associates of the attackers.