Karachi: Two Chinese nationals were killed and eight other persons were injured in an explosion near the Jinnah International Airport of the southern Pakistani city of Karachi on Sunday night.
Deputy Inspector General East Azfar Mahesar said, "According to initial information, an oil tanker caught fire which spread to several other vehicles causing collateral damage. We are determining if there was an element of terrorism involved which we cannot rule out at the moment."
Videos showed flames engulfing cars and a thick column of smoke rising from the scene. There was a heavy military deployment at the site, which was cordoned off.
WATCH | Pakistan: An explosion has been reported near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi; 2 Chinese nationals dead and 10 others injured.#Pakistan#Karachi#JinnahInternationalAirport#Video#ViralVideopic.twitter.com/xWMRYP3nyh
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) October 7, 2024
Separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed the explosion was an attack carried out by them using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeting Chinese nationals, including engineers.
BLA has also released image of suicide bomber who attacked the Chinese convoy.
After the blast, Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Saifullah said the airport’s building and assets were safe.
“Blast/accident had taken place on Model Colony road near the airport while the airport’s building and assets were safe. The airport administration has sent fire tender vehicles to the spot immediately while concerned institutions were investigating the reasons of the explosion/accident,” Saifullah said in a statement.
Chinese Embassy Condemns 'Terrorist Attack'
The Chinese embassy in Pakistan said a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked near the airport. The Chinese statement called the explosion a “terrorist attack” and said that China is working with Pakistan to handle the aftermath.
It called for a thorough investigation to punish the perpetrators and reminded Chinese citizens in the country to take safety precautions.
"The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack, express deep condolences to the innocent victims of both countries and sincere sympathies to the injured and families," the statement said, adding the Chinese side has been working with Pakistani authorities in the aftermath.
Thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan, most of them involved in Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative that connects south and central Asia with the Chinese capital.