On 7th October 2024, a serious bombing took place near Karachi airport in Pakistan. After the attack, a group named the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for it. It targeted a group of Chinese workers, killing two and injuring eight others.
What Happened Near Karachi Airport
The blast took place at late night when a convoy of Chinese nationals was leaving the airport. This attack was just ahead of an important meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization that comprises countries like China and Russia. A suicide bomber was responsible for this attack, according to the BLA.
Event Summary
The attack took place at Karachi, outside Jinnah International Airport. Chaos arose due to the flames and smoke as the place engulfed in them. Videos on local news showed car damages. Officials from the police visited the spot and military officials are soon trying to figure out how the attacker reached Karachi.
Who Was Affected
It is after the victims of the crash were confirmed by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan as employees of the joint China-Pakistan project Port Qasim Electric Power Company. Pakistani police officers who escorted the convoy were also injured in the incident.
Government’s Reaction
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack. He expressed sadness and called the attackers “enemies of Pakistan.” He promised that those responsible would be punished. Sharif also met with the Chinese Ambassador to reassure him about the investigation.
Background of the BLA
BLA is a terrorist group fighting for the independence of Balochistan, which technically remains a part of Pakistan. The group has attacked foreign workers as well as security forces in the past. The group has approximately 3,000 fighters and has carried out previous attacks.
Previous Attacks
This is not the first bomb attack. In fact, this has happened several times targeting Chinese workers in Pakistan. For instance,
- March 2021: Suicide bombing kills five Chinese engineers
- 2022: Three Chinese teachers killed in blast at Karachi University
Pre-Summit Jitters
Analysts are afraid that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit might be followed by attacks and BLA has shown its credentials by hitting such high-profile targets, so security becomes a huge issue.
FAQs
1. Which group took the responsibility for the explosion?
The BLA took responsibility for the bombing.
2. How many people died in the attack?
Two Chinese workers were killed, and eight other people were injured.
3. Where was the bombing?
The attack was close to Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan.
4. What is the BLA?
The BLA is a separatist group that wants an independent Balochistan and has attacked foreigners in Pakistan.
5. How did the Pakistani government react to the attack?
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack and vowed that the perpetrators would be punished. He also met with the Chinese Ambassador in order to discuss the course of investigation.
6. Were there any previous attacks on Chinese people in Pakistan?
There have been several instances of such attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan throughout the years.
7. Why is this attack special?
This is a pretty serious attack because it has brought forth all the issues related to security in Pakistan and specifically now that such an important summit is to take place soon.
Conclusion
The bombing close to Karachi airport brings out gruesome details of the risks foreign workers expose themselves to while working in Pakistan, especially volatile regions such as Balochistan, and gravely rises concerns regarding the security measures in place to safeguard them. Now, the Pakistani government is already probing the attack and has assured boosting the security of all foreign citizens in the country. The situation from now on will be a mix of hope towards more heightened security and long-lasting peace within the region so that something like this never occurs again.
