At least two foreign nationals were killed and 11 others, including another foreign national, injured after a massive explosion occurred on a road outside the Karachi airport on Sunday night.
Initial reports suggested the explosion occurred after a vehicle collided with an oil tanker, but officials subsequently announced it was the result of an improvised explosive device (IED). The banned Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, but this could not be independently verified and unlike its previous attacks, the group has not issued any details of the latest detonation.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, which left several vehicles engulfed in flames, police and paramilitary Rangers were deployed to the scene to ensure security and shift the injured to hospital. The Bomb Disposal Squad was also deployed to investigate the exact nature of the blast. As the blast occurred near the airport, all entry and exit points to the airport were briefly sealed and cordoned off.
A senior police official confirmed two people were killed in the explosion and seven vehicles destroyed. He urged caution in declaring the exact nature of the explosion, adding police would share more details after forensic testing.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed police to ensure the safety of citizens. He also telephoned the Sindh home minister and IGP and sought a report on the incident and urged them to ensure all roads were cleared for traffic to avoid any inconvenience to the public.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori reached the scene and urged media to avoid any speculation until an investigation was completed. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar, meanwhile, said initial information suggested the detonation was caused by an IED blast. He confirmed that a convoy of foreign nationals was passing by the area when the explosion took place.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his shock and sadness at the tragic incident. “I strongly condemn this heinous act and offer my heartfelt condolences to the Chinese leadership and the people of China, particularly the families of the victims,” he said, hoping for the early recovery of the injured. “The perpetrators of this dastardly incident cannot be Pakistanis but are sworn enemies of Pakistan,” he stressed, vowing an “immediate investigation” would identify and bring to justice the perpetrators. “Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding our Chinese friends. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure their security and well-being,” he added.
Pakistan is currently in the midst of a terror resurgence, with the majority of militancy occurring in Khyber-Pakhutnkhwa and Balochistan. However, the BLA has been ramping up its assaults in Karachi, often targeting foreign nationals, with the government vowing to eradicate the group and end its ability to commit terrorism.