File photo

By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that "Indian-sponsored terrorists" attacked a Pakistan Rangers camp in the southern port city of Karachi, leaving three Rangers personnel dead before security forces killed the three attackers.

In a statement issued by the Interior Ministry, Naqvi strongly condemned the assault, saying the Rangers personnel responded swiftly and effectively, thwarting the attackers' plans.

The minister said the three Rangers personnel were killed while confronting the attackers, describing them as "martyrs" who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the country. He added that security forces eliminated all three attackers during the operation.

Naqvi referred to the assailants as "Indian-sponsored terrorists," an allegation made by Pakistani authorities. India has not commented on the claim.

"The brave personnel who embraced martyrdom while foiling the attack are heroes of the entire nation," Naqvi said, adding that their sacrifice had strengthened Pakistan's resolve to combat terrorism.

The interior minister also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured security personnel.

Authorities have not released further operational details about the attack or identified the group responsible. An investigation into the incident is underway.

In a separate statement, the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the attack took place on the night of June 27 when militants it identified as members of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which Pakistan describes as an Indian proxy group, targeted a Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Karachi.

According to the ISPR, the attackers detonated an explosive at the camp's main gate before attempting to breach the perimeter. Rangers personnel responded swiftly, killing three of the attackers and capturing another in an injured condition. The military identified the captured suspect as an Afghan national.

The ISPR said three Rangers personnel were killed in the exchange of fire, while four others were wounded. It added that clearance operations are continuing in the area to ensure no other attackers remain at large.

The military said Pakistan's security forces would continue nationwide counterterrorism operations under the "Azm-e-Istehkam" campaign and vowed to pursue those responsible for the attack. Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir expressed condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, saying their sacrifice reinforced the country's commitment to combating terrorism.