Two Chinese nationals were killed and over ten others injured following a suspected suicide attack near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sunday night.
Reports indicated that the attack occurred around 11:00 PM local time (17:00 GMT), targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers associated with a significant power project in Sindh province.
Authorities believe a third body at the scene, yet to be officially identified, may belong to the attacker.
The Chinese embassy in Pakistan has condemned the incident, labeling it a “terrorist attack” aimed at their nationals.
Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army, a militant group known for targeting Chinese workers involved in development projects in the region.
In a statement issued on Monday, the BLA declared it had “targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors” returning from the airport. They described the operation as a suicide attack carried out by Shah Fahad, a member of their suicide squad, the Majeed Brigade. The BLA further elaborated that the attack involved a “vehicle-borne improvised explosive device” (VBIED).
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the act as a “heinous act” and expressed condolences to the Chinese community. He reassured that “Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding our Chinese friends,” emphasizing the importance of security for foreign nationals engaged in economic ventures in Pakistan.
The Chinese engineers targeted in this assault are part of the Port Qasim Power Generation Company Ltd, which is involved in constructing two coal power plants at Port Qasim, close to Karachi.
The plants are a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a multibillion-dollar initiative that has seen thousands of Chinese workers deployed to Pakistan for various infrastructure and energy projects.
The BLA, along with other Baloch ethnic groups, has been engaged in a prolonged insurgency, demanding an independent homeland and greater control over local resources.
They argue that the local Baloch population has not benefitted from the wealth generated by foreign investments, which has fueled their campaign against Chinese nationals in the area.
In light of the attack, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan has urged its citizens and enterprises to remain vigilant and to adopt safety measures.
They expressed hope that the Pakistani authorities would conduct a thorough investigation and “severely punish the murderer.”
Eyewitness reports described the blast as powerful, with explosions reverberating across various city areas.
Local media captured footage showing thick smoke rising from the scene and several vehicles charred by the explosion.
A police surgeon, Dr. Summaiya reported that ten injured individuals, including one in critical condition, were admitted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College. Among the injured were a police constable and a woman.
The Sindh Interior Minister’s office confirmed that a “tanker truck” exploded on Airport Road and stated that the minister was in direct contact with the Malir Senior Superintendent of Police regarding the unfolding situation.
Following the attack, roads leading to Jinnah International Airport were sealed off; however, the airport operations continued without interruption on Monday.
As Pakistan prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders’ summit, security has been heightened across the country. Recent years have seen a disturbing trend of attacks on Chinese nationals, with the BLA claiming responsibility for multiple incidents.
Notably, in March, they executed an assault on a Pakistani naval airbase near Gwadar, and in April 2022, three Chinese educators and a Pakistani driver were killed in a suicide bombing near Karachi University’s Confucius Institute. In November 2018, a gun attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals.
