Two Chinese nationals were killed, and at least 10 others were injured in a suspected suicide bombing near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport late Sunday night. A third body, thought to belong to the attacker, has yet to be officially identified, according to early reports.
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan quickly condemned the explosion as a “terrorist attack,” stating it targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers involved in a power project in Sindh province. The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), famous for attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the deadly assault.
In a statement released Monday, the BLA confirmed it targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors arriving from Karachi airport. A later communication from the group identified the suicide attacker as Shah Fahad, a member of the BLA’s Majeed Brigade, a suicide squad that has been behind several high-profile attacks in recent years.
The BLA further revealed that the attack was executed using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). The powerful explosion occurred around 11:00 PM local time (17:00 GMT) on Sunday, according to various reports.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the bombing as a “heinous act” and expressed his condolences to China. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he assured the Chinese people of Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens and investments in the country.
“This cowardly attack is not only an assault on Pakistan but also on the enduring friendship between our two nations,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry declared. Authorities pledged swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and reassured Chinese workers of their safety.
The Chinese engineers targeted were part of the Port Qasim Power Generation Co. Ltd., a Chinese-funded project aimed at constructing two coal power plants near Karachi. The Port Qasim plant is a significant component of the broader China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Thousands of Chinese workers are stationed in Pakistan, working on infrastructure and energy projects throughout the country, including in the resource-rich Balochistan province.
For years, the BLA and other Baloch nationalist groups have been waging an insurgency for a separate homeland, accusing the Pakistani government of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gas and minerals, without benefiting local communities. Chinese nationals have frequently been targeted as symbols of foreign exploitation and development projects that local residents claim have left them marginalized.
Following the attack, the Chinese Embassy urged all Chinese nationals and enterprises in Pakistan to remain vigilant and enhance their security precautions. They expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to investigate and hold the culprits accountable.
The aftermath of the blast was chaotic, with footage showing plumes of smoke, burning vehicles, and emergency services responding to the scene. According to local media, security forces quickly cordoned off the area. Roads leading to the airport were temporarily closed, though normal airport operations resumed by Monday morning.
Authorities confirmed that the injured victims were transported to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where a police constable and a woman were among the casualties. One person remains in critical condition.
The Sindh Interior Minister’s office released a statement confirming that a tanker truck exploded on Airport Road, though the exact details of the attack are still under investigation.
Security has been heightened across the country in anticipation of an upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Pakistan. This latest attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents targeting Chinese nationals in recent years. The BLA has carried out several high-profile attacks, including the April 2022 bombing near Karachi University that killed three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver.
The Chinese Consulate in Karachi was also attacked by gunmen in November 2018, leaving four people dead.
