Pakistan's military says 3 soldiers were killed in militant attack in Karachi and vows retaliation

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan’s military said Sunday that three members of its paramilitary Rangers force were killed and four others wounded in fighting after militants launched an attack the previous night on a regional headquarters in the southern port city of Karachi.

A militant rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the provincial headquarters of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers in Karachi on Saturday night, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire with security forces, according to police and witnesses.

In a statement, the military said security forces had killed three attackers and captured a fourth, who was wounded. It identified the captured suspect as an Afghan national.

The military said operations were continuing in the area and warned that Pakistan would retaliate against those responsible for the assault. Pakistan has carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan in recent years, saying they targeted militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing militant groups to use Afghan territory to launch cross-border attacks.

The militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed the attack shortly after it occurred.

The military described the group as an Indian proxy, but provided no evidence to support the allegation. There was no immediate comment from India, and New Delhi has denied similar allegations in recent years.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the three Rangers personnel “martyred” in the assault, expressed condolences to their families and wished the wounded a speedy recovery in a statement issued by his office. He also praised the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces in the fight against militancy and reaffirmed the nation’s resolve to eliminate terrorism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and praised security forces for repelling the assault.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks targeting police and security forces in recent years.

The military said operations were still underway to eliminate any remaining accomplices of the attackers.

Associated Press writer in Islamabad Munir Ahmed contributed to this story.

Rescue workers remove a body in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)

Paramilitary soldiers examine a damaged area after a militant attack at the provincial headquarters of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)

Paramilitary soldiers stand guard on a road cordoned off near the site of a militant attack at the provincial headquarters of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)

Paramilitary soldiers and police officers stand guard on a road cordoned off near the site of a militant attack at the provincial headquarters of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)

SPIELBERG, Austria (AP) — George Russell has a chance to put himself firmly back in the Formula 1 championship hunt as he starts on pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Russell took pole in a controversial qualifying session, setting the fastest time as a yellow flag was displayed for a crash by Max Verstappen. Russell argued he'd lifted off enough to be safe.

Russell hasn't won since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. This is his third pole since then but he lost one potential win in Canada when his car broke down, and was beaten by the resurgent Lewis Hamilton last time out at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

With Kimi Antonelli starting fourth, this is Russell's chance to cut into his Mercedes teammate's standings lead. Antonelli leads by 41 points from Hamilton and 50 from Russell.

Charles Leclerc and Hamilton start second and third for Ferrari, which has struggled on tracks like Austria where power is more important than cornering ability. A small engine upgrade for this week wasn't enough to bridge the gap.

“I think this weekend we’ve not been confident that we could fight for a win,” Hamilton said after qualifying.

“We knew coming into this weekend it would be tough with the long straights we’ve got here, and the deficit looked bigger than other circuits that we’ve been at. Maybe it’s altitude, I’m not sure.”

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain gets a pit stop during the third free practice ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the third free practice ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)