San Francisco police on Thursday released the first official details of the incident wherein a man crashed into the Chinese consulate on October 9. They said that the man had a crossbow and arrows and swung a knife at officers before being shot dead by a police sergeant.

The police, as per a CBS News report, also showed body camera footage from the responding officers.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the body cam footage show?&nbsp;</h2>

Speaking at a virtual town hall on Thursday, San Francisco Police Acting Commander Mark Im said that the man — identified as 31-year-old Zhanyuan Yang — had a crossbow and arrows in his car.&nbsp;

Body cam footage showed Yang covering his face with his left arm after getting pepper sprayed by a security guard.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-crashes-into-chinese-consulate-in-san-francisco-shot-dead-by-police-644822">Man crashes into Chinese consulate in San Francisco, shot dead by police</a>

He had a knife in his right hand, which he used to make "multiple, rapid, downward swinging motions"&nbsp;at responding officer San Francisco Sergeant Troy Carrasco, who was the first to arrive on the scene, and a consulate security guard.

Footage shows Carrasco touching Yang's back and asking the security guard, "Does he have a gun?"

The man then turns towards the officer and the guard and starts swinging the knife. Following this, Carrasco opens fire and shortly after, he can be heard shouting: "You should have told me he had a knife!"

<h2>Why didn't the police de-escalate the situation?</h2>

Responding to a question about the police's apparent lack of attempts to de-escalate the situation, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he was not going to make any judgements nor guess what the officer was thinking.

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However, he said that officers are trained to first stop a threat when confronted with an active threat.

"If we believe that we have an active attacker event, we will do everything possible to stop that threat immediately so we don't have a loss of life," said Scott.

Yang was taken to the hospital, where he died.

Police investigators are still looking into the motive behind this attack. Briefing the press, Scott said: "Why he showed up there, what he was doing, that's still under investigation and there's nothing that we have at this point that I can release."

In a statement released after the car crash, San Francisco's Chinese diplomatic post called the incident "a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene".

It said that an "unidentified person drove violently into the document hall of the consulate, posing a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene, and causing serious damage to the facilities and property of the consulate."

(With inputs from agencies)

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San Francisco police on Thursday released the first official details of the incident wherein a man crashed into the Chinese consulate on October 9. They said that the man had a crossbow and arrows and swung a knife at officers before being shot dead by a police sergeant.

San Francisco police on Thursday released the first official details of the incident wherein a man crashed into the Chinese consulate on October 9. They said that the man had a crossbow and arrows and swung a knife at officers before being shot dead by a police sergeant. The police, as per a CBS News report, also showed body camera footage from the responding officers. What did the body cam footage show? Speaking at a virtual town hall on Thursday, San Francisco Police Acting Commander Mark Im said that the man — identified as 31-year-old Zhanyuan Yang — had a crossbow and arrows in his car. Body cam footage showed Yang covering his face with his left arm after getting pepper sprayed by a security guard. Also read | Man crashes into Chinese consulate in San Francisco, shot dead by police He had a knife in his right hand, which he used to make "multiple, rapid, downward swinging motions" at responding officer San Francisco Sergeant Troy Carrasco, who was the first to arrive on the scene, and a consulate security guard. Footage shows Carrasco touching Yang's back and asking the security guard, "Does he have a gun?" The man then turns towards the officer and the guard and starts swinging the knife. Following this, Carrasco opens fire and shortly after, he can be heard shouting: "You should have told me he had a knife!" Why didn't the police de-escalate the situation? Responding to a question about the police's apparent lack of attempts to de-escalate the situation, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he was not going to make any judgements nor guess what the officer was thinking. Also read | US Army accuses Travis King of desertion, solicitation of child pornography, among other charges However, he said that officers are trained to first stop a threat when confronted with an active threat. "If we believe that we have an active attacker event, we will do everything possible to stop that threat immediately so we don't have a loss of life," said Scott. Yang was taken to the hospital, where he died. Police investigators are still looking into the motive behind this attack. Briefing the press, Scott said: "Why he showed up there, what he was doing, that's still under investigation and there's nothing that we have at this point that I can release." In a statement released after the car crash, San Francisco's Chinese diplomatic post called the incident "a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene". It said that an "unidentified person drove violently into the document hall of the consulate, posing a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene, and causing serious damage to the facilities and property of the consulate." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Man who crashed into Chinese consulate had crossbow, arrows and swung knife at officers: San Francisco police

Police in San Francisco, United States, shot dead a man who had slammed his car into the local Chinese consulate.

The man, as per reports, had ploughed his car into the consulate, driving his car into the lobby of the building's visa office on Monday.

<h2>Why did he crash into the consulate?</h2>

As per the police, details of the incident remain sketchy. The identity of the motorist and his motive behind crashing into the consular office remain unknown.

"I don't know how many people were inside the visa office at the time of the collision," said San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Kathryn Winters during a news briefing hours after the incident.

There are no reports of anyone else getting injured in the crash.

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Winters told the press that upon arrival of the police at the scene, "they found the vehicle had come to rest inside the lobby of the Chinese Consulate."

The officers entered the premises and "made contact with the suspect, and an officer-involved shooting occurred."

"The suspect was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. This is an open and active investigation," said the spokesperson.

Winters also disclosed that the police were coordinating with investigators from the US State Department.

"There's very little information that we can give at this time."

<h2>A serious threat to staff</h2>

In a statement, San Francisco's Chinese diplomatic post called it "a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene".

It said that an "unidentified person drove violently into the document hall of the consulate, posing a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene, and causing serious damage to the facilities and property of the consulate."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dozens-killed-in-deadly-myanmar-military-strike-on-refugee-camp-644718">Myanmar: Dozens including children killed in deadly military strike on refugee camp</a>

Strongly condemning the incident, the consulate said it "reserves the right to pursue responsibility for the incident."

On its WeChat account, the consulate said it would temporarily close its consular certificate hall from October 10 and said that it would inform the public when services resume.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Police in San Francisco, United States, shot dead a man who had slammed his car into the local Chinese consulate. The man, as per reports, had ploughed his car into the consulate, driving his car into the lobby of the building's visa office on Monday.

Police in San Francisco, United States, shot dead a man who had slammed his car into the local Chinese consulate. The man, as per reports, had ploughed his car into the consulate, driving his car into the lobby of the building's visa office on Monday. Why did he crash into the consulate? As per the police, details of the incident remain sketchy. The identity of the motorist and his motive behind crashing into the consular office remain unknown. "I don't know how many people were inside the visa office at the time of the collision," said San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Kathryn Winters during a news briefing hours after the incident. There are no reports of anyone else getting injured in the crash. Also read | Trudeau provokes India again, mentions 'importance of upholding law' during talks with Jordan King Winters told the press that upon arrival of the police at the scene, "they found the vehicle had come to rest inside the lobby of the Chinese Consulate." The officers entered the premises and "made contact with the suspect, and an officer-involved shooting occurred." "The suspect was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. This is an open and active investigation," said the spokesperson. Winters also disclosed that the police were coordinating with investigators from the US State Department. "There's very little information that we can give at this time." A serious threat to staff In a statement, San Francisco's Chinese diplomatic post called it "a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene". It said that an "unidentified person drove violently into the document hall of the consulate, posing a serious threat to the safety of the staff and people at the scene, and causing serious damage to the facilities and property of the consulate." Also read | Myanmar: Dozens including children killed in deadly military strike on refugee camp Strongly condemning the incident, the consulate said it "reserves the right to pursue responsibility for the incident." On its WeChat account, the consulate said it would temporarily close its consular certificate hall from October 10 and said that it would inform the public when services resume. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Man crashes into Chinese consulate in San Francisco, shot dead by police

Pakistani police on Friday said they have arrested five suspects from a separatist Baloch group for the November attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi that killed four people, which they claimed was carried out to "sabotage" the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

At a press conference, Karachi police chief Amir Sheikh said the men arrested confessed to their role in facilitating the three attackers, who were also killed during the November 23 attack on the consulate.

He said the detainees were linked to the Baloch Liberation Army, a Balochistan-based group which had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time.

Three militants tried to storm the consulate in the city's posh Clifton area but security forces foiled their attempt by killing all of them in a gunbattle. The attack also killed two police officials and two visa applicants.

Shaikh claimed that the attack was planned in Afghanistan and executed with the help of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) spy agency.

"The aim was to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and create the impression in China that Karachi is not safe," he said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs to the Pakistani claim.

India has opposed the CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The ambitious USD 60 billion CPEC project connects China's northwestern Xinjiang region to Pakistan's Arabian Sea port of Gwadar.

India had strongly condemned the terror attack on the Chinese consulate and said such strikes only strengthen the resolve of the international community to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. The perpetrators of this heinous attack should be brought to justice expeditiously," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement last November.

Shaikh said that police arrested five facilitators and claimed that a probe based on their interrogation and other evidence proved the involvement of India.

He said the terrorists spent four to five months in observing the consulate and its working.

"They (terrorists) used to sit in the visa section of the consulate to observe when the gates open and other details," he said.

He said that the weapons were transported from Quetta to Karachi through train and were hidden in the engine of a boat.

Shaikh said the mastermind of the attack, Aslam alias Acho, was reportedly killed in a suicide blast in Afghanistan. However, he said he was not ready to believe it until there was proof of Aslam's death.

He said it was an old tactic of militants to show a wanted rebel killed in order to divert the attention of security agencies.

 
&nbsp;

Pakistani police on Friday said they have arrested five suspects from a separatist Baloch group for the November attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi that killed four people, which they claimed was carried out to "sabotage" the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Pakistani police on Friday said they have arrested five suspects from a separatist Baloch group for the November attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi that killed four people, which they claimed was carried out to "sabotage" the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). At a press conference, Karachi police chief Amir Sheikh said the men arrested confessed to their role in facilitating the three attackers, who were also killed during the November 23 attack on the consulate. He said the detainees were linked to the Baloch Liberation Army, a Balochistan-based group which had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time. Three militants tried to storm the consulate in the city's posh Clifton area but security forces foiled their attempt by killing all of them in a gunbattle. The attack also killed two police officials and two visa applicants. Shaikh claimed that the attack was planned in Afghanistan and executed with the help of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) spy agency. "The aim was to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and create the impression in China that Karachi is not safe," he said. There was no immediate reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs to the Pakistani claim. India has opposed the CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The ambitious USD 60 billion CPEC project connects China's northwestern Xinjiang region to Pakistan's Arabian Sea port of Gwadar. India had strongly condemned the terror attack on the Chinese consulate and said such strikes only strengthen the resolve of the international community to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. The perpetrators of this heinous attack should be brought to justice expeditiously," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement last November. Shaikh said that police arrested five facilitators and claimed that a probe based on their interrogation and other evidence proved the involvement of India. He said the terrorists spent four to five months in observing the consulate and its working. "They (terrorists) used to sit in the visa section of the consulate to observe when the gates open and other details," he said. He said that the weapons were transported from Quetta to Karachi through train and were hidden in the engine of a boat. Shaikh said the mastermind of the attack, Aslam alias Acho, was reportedly killed in a suicide blast in Afghanistan. However, he said he was not ready to believe it until there was proof of Aslam's death. He said it was an old tactic of militants to show a wanted rebel killed in order to divert the attention of security agencies.

Pakistan police arrest 5 Baloch separatists for Chinese consulate attack in Karachi

One of the alleged masterminds of an attack by a Pakistani separatist group on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-firing-reported-outside-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-178903">Chinese consulate in Karachi </a>last month has been killed along with five associates, the insurgent group said on Wednesday.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which opposes projects linked to China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative in resource-rich Baluchistan, issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the death of Aslam Baloch, one of its leaders.

"The important BLA commander Aslam Baloch, along with five associates in the organisation were martyred in an enemy attack on Monday," Jiand Baloch, a spokesman for the separatist group said in a statement that gave no further details.

Pakistan's Samaa Television reported that Aslam was killed along with a number of his commanders in a suicide attack in Aino Maina in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, across the border from Baluchistan.

There was no claim of responsibility for the killings and a spokesman for the Pakistani foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Last month, three attackers stormed the Chinese consulate in Karachi, killing four people. Security forces killed the three attackers who were carrying explosives.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-chinese-consulate-not-surprising-imran-khan-179053">Pakistan</a> has long accused its old rival India of supporting insurgents in Baluchistan. India denies helping Baluchistan insurgents and accuses Pakistan of nurturing Islamist militants throughout the region.

China has funded development of a deepwater port at Gwadar in south Baluchistan and is also investing in other projects as part of the giant China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Baluchistan, on the borders of Afghanistan and Iran, has rich mineral and natural gas reserves but is Pakistan's poorest province.

Separatists have for decades campaigned against what they see as the unfair exploitation of resources, in particular, natural gas and minerals.

One of the alleged masterminds of an attack by a Pakistani separatist group on the Chinese consulate in Karachi last month has been killed along with five associates, the insurgent group said on Wednesday.

One of the alleged masterminds of an attack by a Pakistani separatist group on the Chinese consulate in Karachi last month has been killed along with five associates, the insurgent group said on Wednesday. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which opposes projects linked to China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative in resource-rich Baluchistan, issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the death of Aslam Baloch, one of its leaders. "The important BLA commander Aslam Baloch, along with five associates in the organisation were martyred in an enemy attack on Monday," Jiand Baloch, a spokesman for the separatist group said in a statement that gave no further details. Pakistan's Samaa Television reported that Aslam was killed along with a number of his commanders in a suicide attack in Aino Maina in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, across the border from Baluchistan. There was no claim of responsibility for the killings and a spokesman for the Pakistani foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Last month, three attackers stormed the Chinese consulate in Karachi, killing four people. Security forces killed the three attackers who were carrying explosives. Pakistan has long accused its old rival India of supporting insurgents in Baluchistan. India denies helping Baluchistan insurgents and accuses Pakistan of nurturing Islamist militants throughout the region. China has funded development of a deepwater port at Gwadar in south Baluchistan and is also investing in other projects as part of the giant China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Baluchistan, on the borders of Afghanistan and Iran, has rich mineral and natural gas reserves but is Pakistan's poorest province. Separatists have for decades campaigned against what they see as the unfair exploitation of resources, in particular, natural gas and minerals.

Pakistan: Alleged mastermind of Karachi's Chinese consulate attack killed

The storming of the Chinese consulate in Karachi on November 24 by three heavily armed suicide squad members of a Baloch separatist group is loaded with meaning and message. It should be read correctly for understanding what gave rise to the attack and how the conditions that caused it may be eliminated.

While China’s diplomatic mission was the immediate target of the attack, which left seven including three of the terrorists dead, the larger target is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China-Pakistan relations in all its dimensions.

The message seems to be that Baloch separatists will give no quarter to CPEC projects extending from Gwadar in Balochistan to Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province. The Gwadar-Kashgar corridor, with a number of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along the route, would be passing through the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan.

The $46-billion CPEC, in operation from November 2016, faces multiple – political, economic, financial, environmental and social – challenges. In spite of the problems, concerns and controversies, the Chinese have made admirable progress and succeeded in moving an impressive volume of goods from Kashgar to Gwadar in the last two years.

Thus, first and foremost, China’s resolve and success in persisting with the CPEC has led to this attack. There is no circumstantial evidence indicating the involvement of any other country. Yet the inference in informed quarters is that the Baloch separatists are, perhaps, only the instruments of powerful western interests and forces, which are determined to thwart China’s “infrastructural expansionism”.&nbsp;

Even so, the reality is that these forces have only capitalised on discontent fuelled by the CPEC in a restive Balochistan and motivated terror groups to strike.

Balochistan is aggrieved at not getting its due share of development out of the CPEC. There is no economic, entrepreneurial or employment spin-off for Balochistan as the CPEC is perceived as passing through the province. This has caused resentment and, combined with the suppression of Baloch rights and aspirations, is a powder keg.

Secondly, since the terrorists and their patrons exploited this situation of Balochis being reduced to deprived spectators, Pakistan and China must address the expectations of the Balochis. A good first step would be a more inclusive CPEC model of development with tangible outcomes to satisfy the people of Balochistan. That would eliminate one of the major conditions, which has sustained separatism and spawned terrorism.

Thirdly, there is no basis for the fear that China and/or Pakistan will backtrack on the CPEC, or that investors would be scared away, as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan apprehends. Investors enjoying the full support of the Chinese and Pakistani state machinery and their armed might are unlikely to be put off by this attack. China and Chinese companies are the biggest investors in CPEC. In the unlikely event of any investor backing out, China has the surplus capital as well as capital goods to go ahead with completion of all the projects.

Fourthly, it would be counter-productive for Pakistan and China to jointly launch an offensive against Baloch separatists as suggested by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. While China has chosen to ignore and not commented on Qureshi’s idea, if pursued, it can only hurt the interests of Pakistan, Balochistan, the CPEC, China and Pakistan-China relations. Any Sino-Pakistan joint operation against Balochis would not make a distinction between separatists and the people of the province. It would be an all-out, indiscriminate military offensive, which would exacerbate the situation. As Pakistan’s most powerful all-weather friend, Beijing may not wish to court the anger of the Balochis and give the separatists more reason to target China. Besides, it would give mischief mongers abroad a handle to further exploit the political unrest in Balochistan.

Finally, the Government of India has taken a correct stand in aftermath of the attack, although it has been opposed to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of which the CPEC is a part. India has raised concerns over the CPEC, especially its passing through Gilgit Baltistan. There are also CPEC investments and projects in what India holds to be “occupied territory”. Yet India was quick to condemn the terrorist attack, stating: “There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. The perpetrators of this heinous attack should be brought to justice expeditiously.”

At the same time, India has denounced Pakistan’s repression of the Baloch people and violation of their human rights. New Delhi has sent out an unambiguous message that whatever its differences with China, reservations about CPEC and inclinations towards the cause of the Baloch people, India is uncompromisingly opposed to terrorism.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-baloch-alienation-triggers-attack-on-chinese-consulate-2689619">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The storming of the Chinese consulate in Karachi on November 24 by three heavily armed suicide squad members of a Baloch separatist group is loaded with meaning and message.

The storming of the Chinese consulate in Karachi on November 24 by three heavily armed suicide squad members of a Baloch separatist group is loaded with meaning and message. It should be read correctly for understanding what gave rise to the attack and how the conditions that caused it may be eliminated. While China’s diplomatic mission was the immediate target of the attack, which left seven including three of the terrorists dead, the larger target is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China-Pakistan relations in all its dimensions. The message seems to be that Baloch separatists will give no quarter to CPEC projects extending from Gwadar in Balochistan to Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province. The Gwadar-Kashgar corridor, with a number of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along the route, would be passing through the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan. The $46-billion CPEC, in operation from November 2016, faces multiple – political, economic, financial, environmental and social – challenges. In spite of the problems, concerns and controversies, the Chinese have made admirable progress and succeeded in moving an impressive volume of goods from Kashgar to Gwadar in the last two years. Thus, first and foremost, China’s resolve and success in persisting with the CPEC has led to this attack. There is no circumstantial evidence indicating the involvement of any other country. Yet the inference in informed quarters is that the Baloch separatists are, perhaps, only the instruments of powerful western interests and forces, which are determined to thwart China’s “infrastructural expansionism”. Even so, the reality is that these forces have only capitalised on discontent fuelled by the CPEC in a restive Balochistan and motivated terror groups to strike. Balochistan is aggrieved at not getting its due share of development out of the CPEC. There is no economic, entrepreneurial or employment spin-off for Balochistan as the CPEC is perceived as passing through the province. This has caused resentment and, combined with the suppression of Baloch rights and aspirations, is a powder keg. Secondly, since the terrorists and their patrons exploited this situation of Balochis being reduced to deprived spectators, Pakistan and China must address the expectations of the Balochis. A good first step would be a more inclusive CPEC model of development with tangible outcomes to satisfy the people of Balochistan. That would eliminate one of the major conditions, which has sustained separatism and spawned terrorism. Thirdly, there is no basis for the fear that China and/or Pakistan will backtrack on the CPEC, or that investors would be scared away, as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan apprehends. Investors enjoying the full support of the Chinese and Pakistani state machinery and their armed might are unlikely to be put off by this attack. China and Chinese companies are the biggest investors in CPEC. In the unlikely event of any investor backing out, China has the surplus capital as well as capital goods to go ahead with completion of all the projects. Fourthly, it would be counter-productive for Pakistan and China to jointly launch an offensive against Baloch separatists as suggested by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. While China has chosen to ignore and not commented on Qureshi’s idea, if pursued, it can only hurt the interests of Pakistan, Balochistan, the CPEC, China and Pakistan-China relations. Any Sino-Pakistan joint operation against Balochis would not make a distinction between separatists and the people of the province. It would be an all-out, indiscriminate military offensive, which would exacerbate the situation. As Pakistan’s most powerful all-weather friend, Beijing may not wish to court the anger of the Balochis and give the separatists more reason to target China. Besides, it would give mischief mongers abroad a handle to further exploit the political unrest in Balochistan. Finally, the Government of India has taken a correct stand in aftermath of the attack, although it has been opposed to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of which the CPEC is a part. India has raised concerns over the CPEC, especially its passing through Gilgit Baltistan. There are also CPEC investments and projects in what India holds to be “occupied territory”. Yet India was quick to condemn the terrorist attack, stating: “There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. The perpetrators of this heinous attack should be brought to justice expeditiously.” At the same time, India has denounced Pakistan’s repression of the Baloch people and violation of their human rights. New Delhi has sent out an unambiguous message that whatever its differences with China, reservations about CPEC and inclinations towards the cause of the Baloch people, India is uncompromisingly opposed to terrorism. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why Baloch separatists are targetting CPEC

Pakistani policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur heard of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-firing-reported-outside-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-178903">attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi</a> while driving to work. She rushed to the scene to find two of her colleagues dead, and a trio of insurgents attempting to blow their way into the building.

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, turning 30-year-old Talpur into an instant celebrity - and potential feminist icon - in Pakistan, where female police officers remain rare.

"The moment I arrived, an exchange of fire was taking place, blasts had been heard, smoke was emanating," Talpur, an assistant superintendent, told Reuters.

Right away, she took up a position to fire at the attackers and began calling for reinforcements.

"We started to advance inside the consulate and gradually neutralized the situation," she said.

Since the attack a picture of Talpur holding her pistol, flanked by commandos, has gone viral on social media in Pakistan. Her bravery has also earned her a nomination for the country's highest award for police officers.

Friday's attack, claimed by separatist insurgents from the impoverished southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, killed four people, including two police officers who Talpur said were the real heroes.

"The real credit goes to assistant sub-inspector Ashraf (Dawood) and constable Amir (Khan) who kept the attackers engaged and sacrificed their lives," she said.

Once the attack ended, Talpur was among the first police officers to enter the mission and began reassuring the staff.

"When I entered there was a Chinese lady and three or four Pakistani men," she recalled. "The Chinese lady hugged me and I told her 'you are in safe hands, things are under control'."

Talpur, who is scheduled to be promoted soon, will be one of only two female officers above the rank of assistant superintendent in the Sindh provincial police force. But she believes women have a big role to play in law enforcement.

"A woman can be a better detective than a man, we see each and every thing and memorize it better," she said.

Pakistan was recently ranked as the fourth worst country for women in a study conducted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. But the police and military have recently been running programmes to encourage more women in law enforcement roles and in the armed forces.

Police officers are on the front lines of Pakistan's battle against militancy, often targeted by Islamist and insurgent groups. In 2016, 59 cadets were killed when militants stormed a police academy in the southwestern city of Quetta. The attack was claimed by Islamic State, but Pakistani authorities blamed it on local militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

In Karachi, officers have been targeted by Taliban militants and scores have been killed in a wave of urban violence that engulfed the city for two decades from the 1990s.

Talpur, who hails from a small conservative village in the southern Sindh province, was studying to be a chartered accountant when she decided her chosen profession was too "dull" and joined the police instead.

Pakistani policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur heard of the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi while driving to work. She rushed to the scene to find two of her colleagues dead, and a trio of insurgents attempting to blow their way into the building.

Pakistani policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur heard of the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi while driving to work. She rushed to the scene to find two of her colleagues dead, and a trio of insurgents attempting to blow their way into the building. 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, turning 30-year-old Talpur into an instant celebrity - and potential feminist icon - in Pakistan, where female police officers remain rare. "The moment I arrived, an exchange of fire was taking place, blasts had been heard, smoke was emanating," Talpur, an assistant superintendent, told Reuters. Right away, she took up a position to fire at the attackers and began calling for reinforcements. "We started to advance inside the consulate and gradually neutralized the situation," she said. Since the attack a picture of Talpur holding her pistol, flanked by commandos, has gone viral on social media in Pakistan. Her bravery has also earned her a nomination for the country's highest award for police officers. Friday's attack, claimed by separatist insurgents from the impoverished southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, killed four people, including two police officers who Talpur said were the real heroes. "The real credit goes to assistant sub-inspector Ashraf (Dawood) and constable Amir (Khan) who kept the attackers engaged and sacrificed their lives," she said. Once the attack ended, Talpur was among the first police officers to enter the mission and began reassuring the staff. "When I entered there was a Chinese lady and three or four Pakistani men," she recalled. "The Chinese lady hugged me and I told her 'you are in safe hands, things are under control'." Talpur, who is scheduled to be promoted soon, will be one of only two female officers above the rank of assistant superintendent in the Sindh provincial police force. But she believes women have a big role to play in law enforcement. "A woman can be a better detective than a man, we see each and every thing and memorize it better," she said. Pakistan was recently ranked as the fourth worst country for women in a study conducted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. But the police and military have recently been running programmes to encourage more women in law enforcement roles and in the armed forces. Police officers are on the front lines of Pakistan's battle against militancy, often targeted by Islamist and insurgent groups. In 2016, 59 cadets were killed when militants stormed a police academy in the southwestern city of Quetta. The attack was claimed by Islamic State, but Pakistani authorities blamed it on local militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. In Karachi, officers have been targeted by Taliban militants and scores have been killed in a wave of urban violence that engulfed the city for two decades from the 1990s. Talpur, who hails from a small conservative village in the southern Sindh province, was studying to be a chartered accountant when she decided her chosen profession was too "dull" and joined the police instead.

Pakistani woman police commander led defence of Chinese mission