Two Chinese nationals were killed, and at least ten others were injured in an explosion near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan.
The Chinese embassy in Pakistan confirmed the deaths and described the incident as a “terrorist attack,” indicating that there were “some local casualties,” though the total death toll remains unclear. The embassy noted that the explosion targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers who were working on a power project in Sindh province.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group known for targeting Chinese citizens involved in various projects, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement released on Monday, the militant organization said it had “targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors” arriving from the airport.
Reuters reported the BLA stated that the attack utilized a “vehicle-borne improvised explosive device,” occurring around 11:00 PM local time (17:00 GMT).
The Chinese nationals were part of the Port Qasim Power Generation Co Ltd, a China-funded initiative that aims to build two coal-fired power plants at Port Qasim, located near Karachi. This project is a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which supports various infrastructure and energy developments across Pakistan, particularly in resource-rich Balochistan province.
The BLA has long pursued an insurgency for a separate homeland and has frequently targeted Chinese nationals, claiming that local Baloch residents do not benefit from the wealth generated by foreign investment.
In light of these events, the Chinese embassy has urged its citizens and enterprises in Pakistan to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions for their safety. They promised a thorough investigation into the attack and stated intentions to “severely punish the perpetrators.”
Increased security measures are being implemented in Pakistan as it prepares to host a leaders’ summit for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Reports indicate that the blast could be heard in various parts of Karachi, with local media footage capturing thick smoke and burning vehicles in the aftermath.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar suggested that the explosion was likely caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). Images circulating online show security personnel and firefighters examining the explosion site, where several vehicles were charred by the blast.
A police surgeon, Dr. Summaiya, informed Dawn news that “ten injured persons, including one in critical condition,” were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College (JPMC). Among the injured were a police constable and a woman.
A statement from Sindh’s Interior Minister’s office noted that a “tanker truck” had exploded on Airport Road and mentioned that the minister was in contact with the Malir Senior Superintendent of Police regarding the incident. “We need to ascertain the facts,” the statement added.
Despite the attack, Jinnah International Airport is reported to be operating normally today.
The BLA has a history of claiming attacks, including one on a Pakistani naval airbase near the Gwadar port, a significant project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In April 2022, a suicide bombing near Karachi University’s Confucius Institute led to the deaths of three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver.
Credit: BBC News
