A tragic explosion outside Karachi’s airport on Monday has left two Chinese workers dead and at least eight others injured, including Pakistani citizens. The incident, which occurred near the Port Qasim Electric Power Company convoy, was attributed to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group that has previously targeted Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
Eyewitness accounts describe a massive blast that shook the airport’s buildings and sent a thick plume of smoke rising into the air. Rahat Hussain, a civil aviation department worker, remarked, “The blast was so big that it shook the airport’s buildings.”
Provincial Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan indicated that the explosion appeared to be an intentional attack targeting foreigners. Initial assessments by Deputy Inspector General East Azfar Mahesar suggested that the explosion may have originated from an oil tanker that caught fire, spreading to several nearby vehicles. However, he noted that terrorism could not be ruled out as a factor.
The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement emailed to journalists, asserting that the blast was executed using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeting Chinese nationals, particularly engineers involved in various infrastructure projects.
In response to the attack, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack.” They expressed their condolences to the victims from both countries and conveyed their support for the injured and their families. The embassy stated, “The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack.”
The attack underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Chinese workers in Pakistan, where thousands have been deployed for infrastructure projects as part of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The BLA has long sought independence for Balochistan, viewing Pakistan’s presence as an occupation and accusing Beijing of complicity in exploiting the region’s rich mineral resources while suppressing local rights. The group has specifically targeted Chinese interests in the area, leading to previous attacks, including assaults on Chinese citizens and the Karachi consulate.
The incident raises significant concerns about the safety of foreign workers in Pakistan, particularly as the BLA continues its campaign against what it sees as foreign exploitation of Balochistan’s resources.
Sources By Agencies
