A bomb blast targeted a van transporting Chinese nationals from Karachi university hostel to the institute, DIG East Karachi said.
According to initial reports, a van carrying Chinese teachers from their hostel to the University of Karachi’s Confucius institute was targeted by a powerful bomb. The blast resulted in killing at least five persons including three Chinese nationals, their Pakistani driver and a security guard.
Pakistani media reports say the blast injured several other people, which include other foreign nationals, private security guards and personnel of Pakistan Rangers. As per local journalists, the number of casualties might be higher.
A KU spokesperson confirmed that three of the deceased were Chinese nationals. They were identified as Confucius Institute Director Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sa. The identification of the other deceased and injured has not been ascertained yet.
Local TV channels’ footage shows a white van completely damaged and in flames with plumes of smoke rising from its remains.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast and expressed regret over the loss of lives.
“It can’t be said at the moment if the bomb was planted or it was a suicide bomb blast, but further details will be revealed after CCTV footages report”, said the DIG Police of East Karachi.
A Balochistan based “pro-independence” group known as the Baloch Liberation Army(BLA) has claimed the responsibility of the attack on twitter. The group has also released the image and name of the attacker, who is a young female.
It is to mention that Chinese engineers and nationals have been targeted in the past, in Karachi and various parts of Balochistan. Most of these attacks were carried out by BLA. These include the attack by BLA-Majeed Brigade on Chinese engineers in Dalbandain on 11 August 2018, attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi on 23 November 2018, attack on Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar on 11 May 2019, another attack on a convoy of Chinese nationals in Gwadar on August 20, 2021.