On Sunday, October 6th, a large explosion occurred near the Karachi airport in southern Pakistan, also known as the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese workers and multiple injuries.
The Karachi airport is the largest international airport in Pakistan. Authorities reported that a fuel tanker exploded near the airport. Videos show flames engulfing vehicles, with thick smoke rising from the scene. A large number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed, and a cordon has been set up around the area.
According to reports from Pakistani channel Geo News, the explosion led to fatalities and dozens of injuries.
A statement from the Chinese Embassy mentioned that around 11 p.m. local time, a convoy carrying employees of the China Power Hub Generation Company was attacked, resulting in the deaths of 2 Chinese individuals, injuries to another Chinese individual, and casualties among Pakistani personnel.
Currently, there are thousands of Chinese workers in Pakistan, with many involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Prior to this attack, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had mentioned a deadly attack in Balochistan province in August, which claimed over 50 lives, aimed at disrupting Chinese-funded development projects.
Balochistan is the birthplace of the “Baloch Liberation Army,” an armed group seeking independence, accusing the federal government of sacrificing local interests and unfairly exploiting the region’s oil and mineral resources.
The “Baloch Liberation Army” claimed responsibility for the explosion, stating that they used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeting Chinese citizens, including engineers. The group had previously attacked the Chinese Consulate in Karachi in 2018.
Rahat Hussain, working at the Civil Aviation Authority, noted that the explosion on Sunday was powerful enough to be felt throughout the airport.
The Chinese Embassy labeled the explosion as a “terrorist attack,” asserting that China is cooperating with Pakistan in handling the aftermath. The statement urged thorough investigations, strict punishment for perpetrators, and reminded Chinese citizens and businesses in Pakistan to prioritize safety.
In March of this year, in northwestern Pakistan, a suicide bombing targeted five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver on their way to the Dasu Dam, the country’s largest hydroelectric project, resulting in their deaths.
(Information sourced from Reuters, Associated Press, and Geo News)