KARACHI (Ruptly) — Two policemen and three gunmen are reported dead, with another person injured after gunmen staged an assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi on Friday.

Footage shows the area near the consulate at the time of the assault, as police officers exchanged fire with the gunmen. Gunshots can be heard as smoke billows into the sky over Karachi.

According to reports, up to four gunmen attempted to enter the consulate at around 09:30 local time (04:30 GMT), but were halted at a security checkpoint. After an exchange of gunfire with police, three of the attackers are reported to have been killed, and all of the consulate staff are safe.

A separatist group from the south-western province of Balochistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that China is exploiting their resources.