The Karachi police have identified the attacker a suicide bombing near Jinnah International Airport that resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals and injured 17 others. The attacker Shah Fahad, registered the vehicle used in the attack under his name just weeks prior, on September 5, 2023.
Reports indicate that Fahad arrived in Karachi on December 3, 2023, alongside two accomplices.The group checked into a hotel in the Preedy area at 7:49 PM. Following a brief departure, Fahad returned to the city on October 4, 2024, entering another hotel at 10:47 AM. On the day of the bombing, he checked out at noon, shortly before the blast occurred.
In the wake of the attack, police have established a three-kilometre security perimeter around the site and detained several individuals for questioning in connection with the suspects. Investigators are delving into how sensitive information regarding the movements of Chinese engineers was leaked, as part of a broader inquiry.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group that has previously targeted Chinese interests, has claimed responsibility for the bombing. The group seeks independence for Balochistan, a resource-rich province in southwestern Pakistan, which they assert is being exploited by the federal government. The BLA has a history of violent opposition against security forces and has intensified its attacks on Chinese nationals, particularly in Karachi.
As Pakistan prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad next week, the government has pledged to enhance security for visiting dignitaries, including high-level Chinese officials. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has promised to ensure the safety and security of “Chinese friends” in the aftermath of the bombing, which underscores the precarious security situation in the region amid ongoing tensions in Balochistan.