Two Chinese dead in suicide attack near Karachi airport

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Two Chinese nationals among three people were killed after a suicide bomber attacked a Chinese convoy near the Karachi airport signal on Sunday night using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). Sixteen individuals, including another Chinese national and security personnel, were also injured in the attack. The explosion also damaged approximately 15 vehicles.

A statement from the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said that at around 11pm on October 6, a convoy carrying Chinese staff from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was targeted near the Jinnah International Airport, leading to the deaths of two Chinese nationals, injuries to one Chinese national, and some local casualties.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack near the Karachi airport last night, which claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals while injuring another,” said the Foreign Office on Monday. “We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, and offer prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Monday. The PM offered his condolences to the ambassador, and conveyed his deep sorrow over the loss of Chinese lives in the terrorist attack.

The PM assured the ambassador that the government is fully mobilised to identify those responsible for this act of terrorism as soon as possible. The ambassador thanked the PM for the immediate response and the initiation of investigations by the Government of Pakistan following the incident.

According to the Bomb Disposal Squad’s (BDS) report, they have found that the terrorists used 70-80 kilograms of explosives, which were planted in a double-cabin vehicle. As the Chinese convoy approached the airport signal, the attacker crashed the explosives-laden vehicle into the coaster carrying the Chinese nationals.

A BDS officer, however, said that it is difficult to determine which specific explosive was employed. “We have collected samples and sent them for analysis to ascertain the type of explosive used.”

Additionally, ball bearings were used in the attack, but due to the open space, they scattered far away, and none have been recovered from the site.The officer added that the information gathered so far indicates that a double-cabin vehicle was used, which struck the side of the coaster carrying the Chinese nationals.

Officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) returned to the site of the explosion near the airport on Monday. In daylight, they examined the evidence collected at the scene to advance the investigation.

Reports indicate that investigators have identified both the vehicle and the attacker involved in the assault on the vehicle carrying the Chinese engineers. The terrorists aimed to target the Chinese coaster transporting these engineers, and the attacker had filled a vehicle with explosives to carry out the attack.

Details of the vehicle used in the explosion have been obtained through its chassis number and registration plate, which belonged to a double-cabin Revo. Investigators are using this information to trace the vehicle’s ownership, history and any previous movements.

It is believed that this vehicle was recently purchased in Karachi specifically for the attack. Subsequently, explosives were loaded into it, and a suicide bomber executed the attack on the Chinese convoy.

The FO has emphasised that this barbaric act will not go unpunished. “Pakistan’s security and law enforcement agencies will spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and their facilitators. This act of terrorism is an attack not only on Pakistan but also on the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. We will bring to justice those responsible for this cowardly attack, including the Majeed Brigade.”

PM Shehbaz has assured Ambassador Jiang that once those responsible for the incident are identified, they will be brought to justice. “The protection of our Chinese brothers’ lives and property in Pakistan is our top priority. This heinous conspiracy to damage Pakistan-China relations will not be tolerated. I will personally oversee the investigation of this incident, and security arrangements for foreigners will be further strengthened.”

The ambassador expressed confidence in the Pakistani government for conducting effective investigations, promptly identifying the responsible terrorists, and bringing them to justice as soon as possible. “We hope that those responsible for the incident will receive appropriate punishments without delay.”

According to the FO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in close contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation. “Pakistan and China are close partners and iron brothers, united by a bond of mutual respect and shared destiny. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan, and will continue to work hand in hand with our Chinese brothers to defeat the forces of terror.”

Investigators in Karachi have identified the suicide bomber as Shah Fahad, alias Aftab, a resident of the Noshki district in Balochistan. He arrived in Karachi on October 4, stayed at an undisclosed location, and conducted thorough reconnaissance for the attack.

The terrorists recognised that if they attempted the attack further along the route, they would face strong resistance, so they decided to strike near the airport signal before reaching the airport to increase their chances of successfully targeting the convoy. Reports indicate that the planning for this attack took place at a location near Essa Nagri in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi.

The fact that the terrorist was a resident of Balochistan who travelled to Karachi to carry out the attack, along with a subsequent claim of responsibility by a Baloch insurgent group, has prompted the investigators to expand their inquiry into Balochistan.

They are now collaborating closely with local police and other agencies in Balochistan to gather more information and trace any connections related to the planning and execution of the attack.

The investigators are also working to uncover details about the suspected suicide bomber’s family and other connections, aiming to identify any potential accomplices or support networks that may have facilitated the attack.

The Chinese Embassy and consulates general in Pakistan have slammed this terrorist attack, offering condolences to the families of the deceased from both countries, and sympathies to the injured. They are making every effort to manage the aftermath in collaboration with the Pakistani side.

The Chinese Embassy and consulates general have launched an emergency plan, urging the Pakistani authorities to thoroughly investigate the attack, severely punish the perpetrators, and take all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan.

They have also reminded Chinese citizens, enterprises and projects in Pakistan to remain vigilant, pay close attention to the security situation, strengthen security measures and take all possible precautions for their safety.

In the aftermath of the attack, the head of the Special Branch China Desk has been removed from his position. DSP Fawad Shaheen was in charge of the Airport Security Unit and the China Desk at the Karachi airport. He was responsible for monitoring the arrival and departure of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens.

According to some reports, several suspects, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the attack. The investigators are also trying to extract data from the SIM card of the attacker, while a case is being registered at the CTD.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting to discuss the law and order situation, including the attack near the Karachi airport.

Shah reviewed the law and order situation across the province, with a particular focus on Karachi. He said the explosion near the airport is intolerable, and that such incidents should not occur. He directed the police and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to enhance their intelligence efforts and strengthen coordination among themselves.

He received a briefing from the LEAs regarding the blast, then ordered the forming of a joint committee comprising police and other LEAs to investigate the incident.

After the meeting, the CM visited the Chinese Consulate, where he conveyed his condolences to the Chinese Consul General in Karachi, Yang Yundong. He offered his condolences to the Chinese government and the families of the victims, recording his sentiments in the condolence book.

Sindh police chief IG Ghulam Nabi Memon also chaired a meeting regarding the security of Chinese nationals, and ordered the CTD to conduct a thorough investigation into the events at the airport.

This was the second major attack in Karachi within six months targeting foreigners in moving vehicles. The previous incident occurred on April 19, when terrorists carried out a suicide attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in the Landhi area, specifically in Mansehra Colony. The involvement of Baloch insurgent groups was also revealed in that case.

In recent years, particularly following operations such as Zarb-e-Azb, Raddul Fasad, and the Karachi operation against the Taliban and other militant outfits, Karachi has witnessed a rise in nationalist sentiment, especially from parties in Sindh and Balochistan.

Groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) have been active, collaborating with various separatist factions under the umbrella organisation Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS).

Their joint activities in Karachi have increased significantly. While the SRA has primarily focused on target killings and railway track sabotage, the BLA has expanded its operations to include suicide bombings in the city.

The first major attack by Baloch insurgent groups after the Karachi operation occurred in November 2018, when they targeted the Chinese Consulate in Karachi. This was followed by an attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, and then a significant incident at the University of Karachi, where a female BLA militant carried out a suicide bombing targeting a vehicle transporting Chinese staff from the Confucius Institute, killing three Chinese language teachers and their Pakistani driver.

Since then, a series of both smaller and larger attacks have continued across the country, including in Karachi. Over the past few years, more than two dozen terrorist incidents have been attributed to organisations affiliated with the BRAS, with Chinese nationals and the LEAs being the primary targets.