Homeland Security

DATE=28/02/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PAKISTAN / U-S SHOOTING (S&L UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-300178

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

/// UPDATES EARLIER CR TO ADD ACT OF POLICE CHIEF ///

INTRO: In Pakistan, two policemen have been killed and six

people wounded in a gun attack outside the American consulate in the

southern port city of Karachi. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: Pakistani authorities say a gunman with a pistol opened fire

on a policeman near the U-S diplomatic mission in Karachi. He then

grabbed the wounded officer's machinegun and began firing at

security personnel guarding the consulate building across the road.

Regional police chief Kamal Shah told reporters that police arrested the

assailant after a chase through a nearby park and recovered the machinegun.

///SHAH ACT///

The policemen were targeted primarily. Two of our officers have lost

their lives. A total (of) six (people) are injured. Four are policemen,

one belongs to rangers (paramilitary force) and one is a civilian (a

passerby). Fortunately one of the criminals has been arrested. We are

going to interrogate him.

///END ACT///

Earlier reports suggested the man is an Afghan national. But police

chief Shah says they have yet to determine the identity and motives for

the shooting.

A U-S embassy spokesman in Islamabad told V-O-A that no consular personnel were hurt in the shooting.

Police sealed off the road outside the diplomatic mission after the

incident, and witnesses say American officials could be seen inspecting

the site.

This is the second attack outside the U-S consulate in Karachi in less

than a year. A suicide car bombing in June killed 12 Pakistanis. Five

suspected Islamic militants are currently on trial for their alleged

involvement in that attack.

There have been several deadly strikes against minority Christians and

foreigners in Pakistan in the past year. The violence is blamed on

extremist forces linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network, who are angry about Pakistan's support for the U-S led war on terrorism. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/KBK/FC