A preliminary report into the recent explosion near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport suggests that the attack was carried out with assistance from a foreign intelligence agency. Submitted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) to the anti-terrorism court, the report highlights that the suicide bombing specifically targeted Chinese engineers as part of an effort to strain Pakistan-China relations, as reported by Express News.
The report implicates the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in the attack, noting that an unidentified terrorist parked a vehicle close to a convoy of Chinese nationals before detonating the explosive. The blast occurred near the exit signal at the Jinnah International Terminal, directly in front of the CAA guardroom, resulting in the death of three individuals, including two Chinese nationals, Li Jun and Sun Huazhen, and leaving more than 12 others injured.
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Police and Rangers swiftly arrived at the scene upon hearing the explosion, finding multiple casualties among security personnel and civilians. The blast completely destroyed 15 vehicles, adding to the devastation. A case has since been registered at the Airport police station, covering charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, terrorism, and the use of explosive materials.
The initial investigation confirmed that the explosion involved 70 to 80 kg of explosives, with the bomb disposal squad revealing that the attacker waited for the convoy’s arrival before launching the explosive-laden vehicle. Authorities view this incident as a deliberate effort to target Chinese nationals, raising concerns about the security of foreign delegations and the impact on Pakistan-China relations. Investigators have traced the vehicle used in the attack to Shah Fahad, a resident of Nushki, Balochistan, and are delving into his connections to uncover the broader network behind the incident.
