Karachi: A deadly explosion near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Sunday claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals and left 17 others injured, including one more Chinese citizen. The blast targeted a convoy carrying employees of the Port Qassim Electric Power Company, prompting swift condemnation from both the Chinese and Pakistani governments.
According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, the convoy was attacked at around 11:00 am while it was travelling near the airport. The embassy expressed its deep condolences for the victims and urged Pakistan to conduct a thorough investigation into the terrorist attack, calling for the perpetrators to be severely punished. “We are working with Pakistan to make every possible effort to handle the consequences of this attack,” the statement added.
Pakistan’s authorities quickly classified the blast as a terrorist act, with provincial Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan confirming that the attack had specifically targeted foreigners. The explosion occurred in a tanker outside the airport, causing widespread destruction and panic in the vicinity.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. The BLA, which has long sought independence for Balochistan and opposes Chinese involvement in the region, has been involved in multiple attacks on Chinese nationals and investments in the past. Media reports indicated that the group deliberately targeted the Chinese convoy, accusing China of aiding Pakistan in exploiting Balochistan’s resources.
This is not the first time Chinese citizens have been targeted in Pakistan. In March, a series of suicide bombings across five locations in Pakistan resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including 12 soldiers and five Chinese nationals. The BLA was also implicated in those attacks, which were seen as part of its ongoing opposition to Chinese investments in Pakistan.
The militant group has frequently attacked infrastructure projects funded by China, particularly those associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The BLA’s previous assaults include an attack on the Gwadar port, built with Chinese assistance, and Pakistan’s largest naval base in Balochistan. In one instance, the BLA targeted Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project near the city of Besham in northern Pakistan.
The repeated attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan highlight the growing tensions between the BLA and Chinese-backed initiatives in the region. The BLA claims that such projects contribute to the exploitation of Balochistan’s resources and the marginalization of its people.
As Pakistan continues to grapple with terrorism and separatist violence, the targeting of Chinese nationals remains a key concern, particularly given the extensive Chinese investments in the country’s infrastructure and energy sectors. Both nations have vowed to work together to address the security challenges posed by militant groups like the BLA.
Comments are closed.