KARACHI – Policewoman Suhai Aziz Talpur heard of the attack on the Chineseconsulate in Karachi while driving to work.
She rushed to the scene to find two of her colleagues dead, and a trio ofinsurgents attempting to blow their way into the building.
Her fast response and actions during the nearly two-hour assault on thediplomatic mission in Karachi have been praised for saving countless lives,turning 30-year-old Talpur into an instant celebrity.
“The moment I arrived, an exchange of fire was taking place, blasts hadbeen heard, smoke was emanating,” Talpur, an assistant superintendent, toldReuters.
Right away, she took up a position to fire at the attackers and begancalling for reinforcements.
“We started to advance inside the consulate and gradually neutralized thesituation,” she said.
Since the attack a picture of Talpur holding her pistol, flanked bycommandos, has gone viral on social media in Pakistan. Her bravery has alsoearned her a nomination for the country’s highest award for police officers.
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Friday’s attack, claimed by separatist insurgents from the impoverishedsouthwestern 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) andconstable Amir (Khan) who kept the attackers engaged and sacrificed theirlives,” she said.
Once the attack ended, Talpur was among the first police officers to enterthe 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 safehands, things are under control’.”
