2024 Karachi Airport bombing explained

On 7 October 2024, a Pakistani separatist group reportedly targeted a convoy of Chinese nationals at Karachi Airport, killing at least two people and injuring ten others.^{[7] [8] [9]}

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the BLA said it had "targeted a high-level convoy" of Chinese investors and engineers.^{[10] [11]}

The regional government of Sindh Province reported on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that a "tanker" had exploded on the airport motorway, contributing to the casualties.^{[12] [13] [14]}

A statement from the Separatist group identified the incident as a suicide attack and named the assailant, a member of the BLA’s Majeed Brigade, a suicide squad. The group has frequently targeted Chinese nationals in the region, alleging that ethnic Baloch residents are being deprived of their rightful share of wealth from foreign investments and the extraction of natural resources in the province. In response, the Chinese embassy expressed hope that Pakistan would conduct a thorough investigation and "severely punish the perpetrator." Among the injured were a police constable and a woman.^[15]

Timeline

• Sunday, 23:00 (local time): A suspected suicide bombing occurred near Jinnah International Airport, targeting a convoy of Chinese nationals. The explosion resulted in the deaths of two Chinese engineers and left at least ten others injured, including a police constable and a woman.
• Sunday night: The Chinese embassy in Pakistan labeled the explosion a "terrorist attack" aimed at Chinese engineers working on a power project in Sindh province.
• Monday morning: The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group identified the perpetrator as a member of their Majeed Brigade. The BLA stated that the attack was executed using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
• Monday: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it a "heinous act," and offered condolences to the Chinese government. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to safeguarding Chinese nationals in the country.
• Monday afternoon: The Chinese embassy issued a safety alert to Chinese citizens and enterprises in Pakistan, advising them to take increased safety precautions. Roads leading to the airport were sealed off following the attack, but the airport continued to function normally.
• Following days: Pakistani counterterrorism officials initiated an investigation into how the attacker accessed Karachi. Prime Minister Sharif met with the Chinese Ambassador, promising to personally oversee the investigation into the attack.^[16]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2024-10-06 . An explosion outside the Karachi, Pakistan, airport kills 2 workers from China and injures others . 2024-10-08 . KTVZ . en-US.
2. Web site: Bomb explosion near Pakistan's Karachi Airport leaves two dead and eight injured. Sky News. 8 October 2024.
3. Web site: Chinese workers targeted in deadly Pakistan airport suicide blast. Sophia Saifi, Simone. McCarthy. 7 October 2024. CNN. 8 October 2024.
4. Web site: Two killed in explosion near Karachi airport targeting Chinese nationals | Pakistan | The Guardian. amp.theguardian.com. 8 October 2024.
5. Web site: Explosion kills one, injures several, near Pakistan's Karachi airport. Al Jazeera. 8 October 2024.
6. News: Massive blast outside Pakistan's Karachi Airport kills 2, injures at least 8. The Hindu . 6 October 2024. 8 October 2024. www.thehindu.com.
7. Web site: 2024-10-06 . Two Chinese nationals killed in blast near Pakistan's Karachi airport . 2024-10-08 . BBC News . en-gb.
8. Web site: 2024-10-06 . China presses Pakistan to ensure protection of citizens after fatal bombing . 2024-10-08 . Voice of America . en.
9. Web site: A Pakistani Separatist Group Claims Bombing That Killed 2 Chinese Near Karachi Airport . www.usnews.com.
10. News: 2024-10-06 . Massive Blast Outside Karachi Airport Injures at Least Eight . 2024-10-08 . Bloomberg.com . en.
11. Web site: 2024-10-07 . Two killed in 'terror attack' on Chinese convoy at Pakistan's largest airport . 2024-10-08 . The Independent . en.
12. Web site: 'Terrorist attack' near Karachi airport kills two Chinese nationals, embassy says . www.reuters.com.
13. News: 1 dead, 10 injured in massive explosion near Karachi airport . 2024-10-08 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
14. Web site: PM Shehbaz assures Chinese envoy of personally overseeing Karachi terror. 7 October 2024 . Dawn.
15. Web site: Two Chinese nationals killed in blast near Pakistan's Karachi airport. www.bbc.com. 8 October 2024.
16. Web site: A Pakistani separatist group claims bombing that killed 2 Chinese near Karachi airport. 7 October 2024 . AP News.