2 police killed in foiled terror plot at Chinese consulate in Pakistan

• Two policemen have been killed and one security guard has been injured after gunmen exchanged fire with forces at the Chinese Consulate in the Pakistani city of Karachi.
• Pakistani insurgent group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attempted attack which occured around 9:30 a.m. local time. 
• Three attackers, who were attempting to commit a terror attack at the consulate, were killed by police.
• Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that all 21 Chinese staffers were safe and unharmed.

Two policemen have been killed and one security guard has been injured after gunmen opened fire at the Chinese consulate in the Pakistani city of Karachi, according to local officials. 

"We have two cops brought dead and security guard injured due to blast impact," Seemin Jamali, a doctor at the Jinnah Hospital in Karachi, told Reuters Friday.

Karachi’s police chief, Amir Shaikh, said the attackers tried to enter through the visa section but were unsuccesful, the New York Times reported. Three attackers were killed by police in an exchange of gunfire, the BBC said. 

Pakistani insurgent group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attempted attack which occured around 9:30 a.m. local time. 

The port city of Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and a financial hub. It has experienced waves of political and social unrest for years. 

Balochistan is at the center of China's billion-dollar investment and infrastructure plan as part of the country's massive Belt and Road initiative. China is also Pakistan's close financial and political ally.

Balochistan has accused Pakistan and China of stripping resources from land it wants to turn into an independant state. 

"China is exploiting our resources," the group's leader told Reuters. 

The area has been cordoned off and there is a large police presence. Police said a suicide vest had been recovered.

Unverified video and photos circulating online show smoke apparently from the blast billowing into the air from the building. 

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that all 21 Chinese staffers were safe and unharmed.

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