A deadly explosion strikes a convoy of Chinese workers in Karachi, with the Balochistan Liberation Army claiming responsibility for the attack.
Two Chinese workers were killed and several others injured in an explosion near Pakistan’s largest airport on Sunday night, just days before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. The attack targeted a convoy of employees from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company, according to the Chinese embassy in Pakistan. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
The Chinese embassy condemned the attack, labeling it an act of terrorism, and extended condolences to the victims from both China and Pakistan. The embassy also called for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. While the confirmed death toll stands at two Chinese nationals, Pakistani casualties have not yet been fully accounted for.
Local authorities, including police and military forces, quickly responded to the scene following reports of the explosion, which destroyed vehicles and sent a powerful shockwave across the area. Initial reports from the provincial Sindh government suggested that the blast might have been caused by an oil tanker explosion, but later statements from officials pointed to the use of an improvised explosive device (IED).
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group known for targeting Chinese workers involved in Pakistan’s infrastructure projects, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group’s Majeed Brigade stated that it had targeted a high-profile convoy of Chinese engineers and investors departing from the airport. The BLA has been behind multiple attacks on Chinese nationals in recent years, largely in opposition to China’s involvement in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
CPEC, a key component of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, seeks to enhance trade by linking China’s Xinjiang region with Pakistan’s Gwadar port through a series of infrastructure developments. However, the project has faced resistance from groups like the BLA, which oppose foreign involvement in Pakistan’s Balochistan region.
Footage from the aftermath of the explosion showed vehicles engulfed in flames, with paramilitary forces securing the area. As of now, Pakistani authorities have not officially confirmed whether the attack was terrorism-related, but Sindh’s home minister, Ziaul Hasan Lanjar, indicated that an IED was likely responsible.
The attack comes at a critical moment, as Pakistan prepares to host the SCO summit, a trans-regional forum focused on security and anti-terrorism efforts. The blast adds to the growing concerns over the safety of foreign workers in Pakistan, particularly those involved in China-backed infrastructure projects.
This latest incident echoes previous attacks on Chinese nationals. In March 2023, a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing five. Similarly, in April 2022, the BLA claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at Karachi University that killed three Chinese teachers.
Pakistan’s relationship with neighboring Afghanistan has also come under strain due to cross-border terrorism. Islamabad has accused the Taliban, which governs Afghanistan, of allowing militants to use Afghan territory for launching attacks, a charge the Taliban denies. In response to the latest violence, the Taliban expressed concerns over growing unrest in Pakistan and urged the government to address the dissatisfaction fueling the unrest.
As the investigation continues, Pakistani authorities remain on high alert, while the international community watches closely for further developments in this volatile situation.
(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved
