2 Chinese nationals killed, several injured in explosion near Karachi Airport

New Delhi, Oct 7: A powerful explosion near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Sunday night killed two Chinese nationals and left 11 others injured, including one foreign national. The blast occurred on a road outside the airport, with footage showing vehicles engulfed in flames. Pakistan Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, with the Bomb Disposal Squad working to determine the exact nature of the blast.

The Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an outlawed militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. However, this claim has not yet been independently verified. The BLA has been involved in several attacks targeting Chinese nationals, particularly those involved in infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

According to the BBC, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan reported that “many Pakistani personnel were killed and injured” in the explosion, which took place at approximately 23:00 local time. The embassy also revealed that the attack targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a power project in Sindh province, part of the broader China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The BLA later issued a statement on Monday, confirming that it had “targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors” arriving from Karachi airport. The convoy was reportedly linked to the Port Qasim Power Generation Co Ltd., a Chinese-funded project aimed at constructing coal power plants near Karachi. The Port Qasim plant is a key part of CPEC, which has been instrumental in developing infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, a province.

The Baloch separatist group has waged a long-running insurgency for a separate homeland and has repeatedly targeted Chinese nationals, accusing foreign investors of exploiting the region’s resources without benefiting the local Baloch population.

In response to the attack, the Chinese Embassy urged its citizens and Chinese enterprises in Pakistan to remain vigilant and take all necessary safety precautions. The embassy also pledged to thoroughly investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.

The explosion occurred amid heightened security in Pakistan, which is preparing to host the leaders’ summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The blast was reportedly heard across various parts of the city, with local media showing thick smoke and vehicles ablaze at the site.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar suggested that the explosion may have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).

Dr. Summaiya, a police surgeon at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College (JPMC), confirmed to local regional newspapers that 10 injured individuals had been brought to the hospital, including one in critical condition. Among the injured were a police constable and a woman.

A statement from Sindh’s Interior Minister’s office, posted on X (formerly Twitter), described the explosion as involving a “tanker truck” on Airport Road. The minister said they were in contact with local police officials to determine the facts behind the incident.

This latest attack follows a series of violent assaults by the BLA targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan. In April 2022, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near Karachi University that killed three Chinese tutors and a Pakistani driver.