Last night, an explosion near the international airport in Karachi, a southern city in Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals, as reported by the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, which labeled the incident a “terrorist attack.”
The separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility in a statement sent to journalists, asserting that they executed the explosion using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device aimed at Chinese nationals, including engineers.
The Chinese embassy detailed that a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company had come under attack near the airport.
“The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack, extend heartfelt condolences to the innocent victims from both nations, and offer sincere sympathies to the injured and their families,” the statement indicated, adding that cooperation with Pakistani authorities has been ongoing in the aftermath.
“Pakistan is dedicated to protecting our Chinese friends,” he stated on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We will do everything possible to ensure their safety and well-being.”
Pakistan is gearing up to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad, a capital that recently witnessed protests and clashes between police and supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan over the weekend.
The summit next week is anticipated to feature high-level Chinese representation as well as the first visit from an Indian foreign minister in a decade, with authorities pledging to ensure security at the event.
According to Pakistan broadcaster Geo News, at least ten individuals were injured in the explosion on Sunday, in addition to the fatalities. Karachi police did not respond immediately to requests for comments.
The BLA is advocating for independence for Balochistan, a province situated in southwestern Pakistan, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran.
In August, coordinated attacks were launched in this province, resulting in over 70 deaths.
Specifically targeting Chinese interests—particularly the strategic Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea—the BLA accuses China of assisting the Pakistani government in exploiting the province.
Past incidents include the killing of Chinese citizens working in the region and an attack on China’s consulate in Karachi.
Security concerns have impacted China’s planned investments, which amount to billions, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.
In March, a suicide bomber killed five Chinese engineers engaged in a hydropower project in northern Pakistan.
Authorities apprehended militants they claimed were linked to the Pakistani Taliban, although that group has denied involvement in the attack.
