Karachi, Oct 7: Two Chinese nationals were killed in a terrorist attack near the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Sunday night, according to the Chinese embassy in Pakistan. The explosion was reportedly caused by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) targeting a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company.
The separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was aimed at Chinese nationals, particularly engineers. The embassy expressed strong condemnation of the attack, offering condolences to the victims and their families, and confirmed that it is cooperating with Pakistani authorities in response to the incident.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that one Chinese national was also injured in the blast and that an investigation is currently underway. “Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding our Chinese friends,” he declared on social media, vowing to ensure their security and well-being.
Local reports indicated that at least 10 others were injured in the explosion, though Karachi police did not immediately respond to inquiries for further comment. The BLA has been actively targeting Chinese interests in the region, particularly in Balochistan, where it seeks independence. This includes accusations against Beijing for assisting Islamabad in exploiting the province’s resources.
The attack comes as Pakistan prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad, which is expected to see high-level Chinese representation and the first visit by an Indian foreign minister in a decade. Authorities have vowed to enhance security in light of recent protests and clashes in the capital.
China has faced ongoing security concerns regarding its investments in Pakistan, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. This includes a March suicide bombing that killed five Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project in northern Pakistan, attributed to militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban.
