At least 10 people, including seven soldiers, were killed when unidentified gunmen attacked a military convoy in the volatile southern Pakistani city of Karachi on Thursday. A top general, believed to be the target of the attack, escaped unhurt.
"Seven army men were among 10 people killed in the attack," military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told
Geo TV.
Police in Karachi said Lieutenant General Ahsan Saleem Hayat, the Karachi commander of the Pakistan army, had a narrow escape.
Three policemen were also killed in the attack, while the commander's guard and driver were wounded, they said.
The militants attacked the convoy at the entrance of a bridge in the busy Clifton area in the city with AK-47 rifles. They
also reportedly used bombs.
The windows of nearby shops and apartments were shattered by the gunfire and the subsequent explosions, police said.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
The assailants used two stolen cars to carry out the attack. Both vehicles have been recovered.