On Sunday evening, a suicide attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport left two Chinese nationals dead and one injured. The attack that also left at least seven other people wounded is one in a series of violent incidents against Chinese nationals and its interests in Pakistan.
The blast which burnt several cars and was heard across the city was a separatist group called the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The BLA said the attack aimed at a convoy of Chinese engineers and investors who were coming from the airport. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan identified the deceased as the staff members of an electric power company.
It has been confirmed that the attack was conducted by a suicide bomber, and investigation is being conducted to identify the bomber. Pakistan’s Prime Minister denounced the act and expressed sorrow over the Chinese death and assured China that Pakistan would make efforts to protect Chinese lives in the country.
The attack occurs at a time when Pakistan is set to host a major conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization which is a security organization spearheaded by China and Russia. It also comes after series of terror attacks earlier this year aimed at destabilizing the growing ties between Pakistan and China.
Pakistan today has emerged as a vital state in the China’s Belt & Road initiative mainly through the CPEC investment. But such initiatives have attracted rising security threats, particularly in Baluchistan where the separatist groups such as the BLA exhibit negative attitude towards China.
The BLA has previously sent threats to China, the Chinese people and the Chinese projects in Pakistan. They have in the past ransacked Chinese consulates, naval bases and hotels. Only this year, the BLA took credit for a suicide bombing near Rekoil that targeted the Chinese and killed five of them alongside their Pakistani driver.
China urges Pakistan to do everything possible to protect its people and assets after attack on Chinese security team. Religious and security risks remain high, and the disputes between Pakistan and the neighboring countries over foreign investment in the security-sensitive areas add up to the problem.
