A deadly explosion rocked Karachi International Airport in Pakistan on Sunday night, leaving one Chinese national dead and 10 others injured. The incident, believed to be a targeted attack, occurred as a convoy of Chinese travelers was leaving the airport. Initial reports suggest that a tanker exploded outside the airport, but authorities have also confirmed the use of an improvised explosive device.
Local media and police sources reported that the deceased was a Chinese citizen, and two of the injured are in critical condition. Videos circulating online show massive plumes of fire and damaged vehicles, highlighting the intensity of the blast. The explosion was so powerful that it shook the airport building, according to officials.
In a statement, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an outlawed separatist group seeking independence for the Balochistan province, claimed responsibility for the attack. The BLA stated that the explosion was a targeted attack using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device against a “high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors.” The group has accused Beijing of exploiting resources in Balochistan and has previously targeted Chinese interests in the region, particularly the strategic port of Gwadar.
This incident comes amidst escalating tensions in the region, with the BLA previously launching a coordinated attack in Balochistan in August, killing over 70 people. The attack raises significant security concerns, especially in the context of China’s growing investments in Pakistan.
Following the blast, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that flights from Karachi continued “as usual” and that authorities were investigating the incident. The attack has sparked widespread condemnation and heightened security measures in the country.
