An explosion near Karachi's international airport has resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals and left several others injured, according to officials from both Pakistan and China.
Details of the Incident
The explosion occurred late Sunday night when a tanker exploded outside Pakistan's largest airport. The exact cause of the blast remains unclear, as reported by local news channels.
The separatist militant group, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has claimed responsibility for the explosion, stating that they used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device to target a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors arriving from the airport.
Reaction from the Chinese Embassy
The Chinese embassy in Pakistan confirmed that a convoy transporting staff from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked around 11 PM. In a statement, the embassy condemned the incident as a terrorist attack and called for a investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. “The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack and express deep condolences to the innocent victims of both countries,” the statement read.
Scene of the Explosion
Videos on the internet showed vehicles buried in flame and thick smoke billowing into the air. A heavy military presence was reported, with the area cordoned off for safety. Local official Azfar Mahesar indicated that the blast appeared to have originated from an oil tanker. He noted that investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion, which may take some time. Rahat Hussain, a civil aviation department employee, described the explosion as so powerful that it shook buildings at the airport.
Thousands of Chinese workers are currently in Pakistan, primarily involved in projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of China's multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative aimed at connecting Beijing with South and Central Asia.
BLA’s Ongoing Campaign
The BLA has long sought independence for Balochistan, the province in southwest Pakistan that borders Afghanistan and Iran. The group has specifically targeted Chinese interests, particularly the strategic Gwadar port, accusing Beijing of complicity in the exploitation of local resources. In August, the BLA launched coordinated attacks in Balochistan, resulting in over 70 fatalities.
Despite the explosion, Pakistan's civil aviation authority announced that flights from Karachi were continuing “as usual” while agencies conduct investigations into the incident.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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