Pakistan: Blast Outside Karachi Airport Kills 2 Chinese Nationals, BLA Claims Responsibility

A large explosion near Pakistan's Karachi airport on Monday claimed the lives of two Chinese workers and left at least eight others injured, including Pakistani citizens.

Videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke billowing from the scene. The area was swiftly cordoned off, with military personnel deployed.

Rahat Hussain, an employee of the civil aviation department, described the blast as "so big" that it caused the airport buildings to shake.

Provincial Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan told Geo TV that the explosion was an "attack targeting foreigners." Deputy Inspector General East Azfar Mahesar suggested that the blast resembled an oil tanker explosion.

"According to initial information, an oil tanker caught fire which spread to several other vehicles causing collateral damage. We are determining if there was an element of terrorism involved which we cannot rule out at the moment," he explained.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to journalists. The group said it carried out the explosion using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) targeting Chinese nationals, including engineers.

China's Response

The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan condemned the explosion, calling it a "terrorist attack" and stated that a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked near the airport. The embassy added that it was working closely with Pakistani authorities.

"The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack, express deep condolences to the innocent victims of both countries, and sincere sympathies to the injured and their families," read a statement from the embassy.

Thousands of Chinese nationals, mostly engineers and construction workers, are stationed in Pakistan working on infrastructure projects linked to the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Why Does BLA Target Chinese Workers?

The BLA seeks independence for the southwestern province of Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran. The group views Pakistan's control of the province as an "occupation."

Balochistan is home to the strategically significant port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. The BLA accuses Beijing of assisting Pakistan in exploiting the province's mineral wealth while suppressing the rights of the local people.

The BLA specifically targets Chinese interests, including infrastructure projects and workers in the area. It has previously killed Chinese nationals and attacked China's consulate in Karachi.