The Chinese official in Pakistan reported that two Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion that occurred on Sunday evening near the international airport in Karachi, which the government of southern Pakistan has referred to as a “terrorist attack.”
Separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army ( BLA ) claimed in a statement sent to journalists that the explosion was an attack carried out by them using an improvised explosive device carried by a vehicle, including engineers.
At least 10 people were hurt in the explosion, according to Pakistani broadcaster Geo News, along with some casualties. A municipal official who was cited by Geo News as saying that the nature of the explosion was not soon known.
Authorities in Karachi did not respond to a request for comment right away.
A fleet from Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked close to the airport, according to the Chinese ambassador.
The statement read,” 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 ( their ) families,” adding that the Chinese side has been working with Pakistani authorities since then.
The BLA seeks liberation for the state of Balochistan, located in Pakistan’s south and bordering on Afghanistan and Iran. In August, it launched coordinated episodes in the state, in which more than 70 people were killed.
BLA particularly targets Chinese interests, naming Gwadar, a port in the Arabian Sea as a prime example of Beijing’s support for Islamabad’s expansion. It has recently attacked Beijing’s Karachi consul and killed Chinese workers in the area.