UPDATE 2 - Pakistan: 2 cops killed in Chinese Consulate attack

UPDATES WITH MORE MILITANTS KILLED, COMPLETION OF SECURITY OPERATION, STATEMENT BY PAKISTAN ARMY; ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - At least two policemen were killed in an armed attacked on the Chinese Consulate in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Friday morning, a police official said.

Ameer Shaikh, Karachi police chief, told reporters that all three attackers were also killed and a suicide jacket was recovered in a security operation.

“The security operation has been completed, and the Chinese consul general and all staff of the mission are safe and sound,” Shaikh said.

Earlier, local broadcaster Geo news quoting eyewitnesses reported that three to four armed assailants stormed the heavily-guarded consulate, which was responded by police and security guards.

Meanwhile, Pakistan army also confirmed that three militants were killed and said the situation is under control.

“Terrorists attempted to enter Chinese consulate. Rangers and police have got control. Three terrorists killed. All Chinese safe. Situation under control,” the army said in a brief statement.

Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility of the attack, local media reported.

China, which neighbors Pakistan, invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, as part of its vast belt and road initiative, named China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

CPEC, a $64 billion megaproject signed in 2014, aims to connect China's strategically important northwestern Xinjiang province to Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan province through a network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport cargo, oil and gas.