Blast near Karachi airport kills 2 Chinese nationals, suicide bomber identified

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) -- which has in recent years carried out attacks on Chinese nationals involved in projects across Pakistan-- has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In Short

• Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claims responsibility for "suicide bombing"
• Blast caused by suspected improvised explosive device (IED), says Sindh Home Minister
• People across Karachi could hear blast's sound, according to local media reports

At least two Chinese nationals were killed, and 10 others were injured in a massive explosion near Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan's Karachi on Sunday, October 6.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said that the incident happened at 11 pm (local time) when a tanker exploded outside Jinnah International Airport.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the injured and their families during this difficult time," the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said in a statement.

"The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan have launched an emergency plan immediately, requesting the Pakistani side to thoroughly investigate the attack, severely punish the perpetrators, and take all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan...," the embassy said.

After the incident, the banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the "suicide bombing" that had "targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors" arriving from Karachi airport.

The BLA also released a photo of the suicide bomber, identified as Sarmachar Shah Fahd, alias Aftab, who belonged to the Majeed Brigade of the banned outfit.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar, speaking to Geo News, said that the explosion was caused by a suspected improvised explosive device (IED), in which one foreigner was also injured.

According to local media reports, residents across the city heard the blast and could see plumes of smoke billowing from the area. People injured in the blast have been shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Television footage showed smoke rising from the area, with a large fire visible on a road near the blast site. The explosion was reportedly heard in different parts of the city, including North Nazimabad, and Karimabad.

The fire that sparked from the blast spread as a few vehicles were set ablaze near the airport, an area typically used by VIP protocol vehicles. The explosion occurred on the road leading out of the airport, as reported by another journalist at the scene.

Earlier in March this year, five Chinese nationals and a local were killed in an explosion by a suicide bomber in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The incident happened when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers that was on its way from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu.

Chinese nationals have been engaged in several projects in Pakistan with its "all-weather" ally China having invested billions in infrastructure projects as part of the Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under its Belt and Road initiative (BRI).