China has confirmed that two of its citizens were killed and another injured in a terrorist attack targeting a convoy near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Sunday night. The convoy, which belonged to the Port Qasim Electric Power Company, was struck at approximately 11 PM local time (18:00 GMT), with at least 10 people reported injured. The attack has been claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), an armed group seeking independence for Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan released a statement condemning the attack, calling on Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals, institutions, and projects in the country. The embassy urged the Pakistani government to punish those responsible and to strengthen security measures surrounding Chinese citizens and infrastructure projects.
Geo News, a Pakistani broadcaster, reported that at least 10 people were injured in the explosion, and several vehicles in the convoy were damaged, with four cars completely destroyed. Hassaan Khan, a rescue official, confirmed the extent of the damage caused by the explosion.
In an emailed statement, the Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, which involved the use of an improvised explosive device (IED). The BLA has a history of targeting Chinese interests in Pakistan, particularly in the resource-rich Balochistan province. The group has accused China of supporting Pakistan’s exploitation of the region’s resources, with a focus on projects such as the strategic port of Gwadar.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least-populated province, has long been home to a separatist insurgency. The BLA, which was banned by the Pakistani government, has been at the forefront of this movement and has escalated its attacks in recent years. In August, coordinated assaults by the BLA killed over 70 people, and earlier this year, the group was behind the murder of seven barbers in Gwadar. In March 2023, five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani national were killed in an attack near the China-backed Dasu hydropower project.
China has been a key player in Pakistan’s infrastructure development through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes projects such as the Port Qasim power plants near Karachi. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has repeatedly advised its citizens and businesses to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions amid rising security concerns.
Pakistan is set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in two weeks, heightening the urgency of addressing security challenges in the country.
