China has reported that two of its citizens were killed and one was injured in what they describe as a "terrorist attack" in Pakistan. The incident occurred near Karachi airport, where a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was targeted.
The attack took place at approximately 11pm on Sunday, close to the Jinnah International Airport. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has called for a thorough investigation, punishment of the perpetrators, and increased security measures to protect Chinese citizens and projects in Pakistan. According to Geo News, at least 10 people were injured in the attack.
Rescue official Hassaan Khan stated that 10 vehicles were damaged by the explosion, with four cars completely destroyed. In an email sent to journalists previously, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, which utilized an improvised explosive device (IED).
The BLA advocates for independence for Balochistan and is involved in a wider insurgency in Pakistan's largest and most sparsely populated province, sharing borders with Iran and Afghanistan. The government of Pakistan has prohibited the organization. In August, the BLA orchestrated concurrent assaults in the province resulting in over 70 fatalities.
The BLA has taken responsibility for incidents in Balochistan, such as the murder of seven barbers in Gwadar in May and the killing of multiple individuals abducted from a highway in April. The group focuses on targeting Chinese interests, particularly the port of Gwadar, as they accuse Beijing of colluding with Islamabad to exploit the province.
